Do fiscal policies influence educated young voters? Empirical evidence from Finland

Abstract

We examine Finnish university students’ fiscal policy preferences and how they are associated with their voting behaviour in two consecutive parliamentary elections, 2003 and 2007. Data is collected through an internet based survey. The study utilises a very large number of responses (N=33320) of students from all disciplines, in all higher education establishments of the country. Fiscal policy preferences are operationalized with questions on budgetary appropriations allocated towards several Ministries. Pair wise comparisons among loyal student voters of all parties and students that changed their vote in the latter election, indicate that several fiscal policies affect significantly the voting behaviour of the population under scrutiny.