For the Good of Society: Public participation in the siting of nuclear and hydro power projects in Finland

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This thesis addresses the conceptual and institutional framework of current planning and assessment processes for large-scale energy projects in Finland. In particular, recent proposals for nuclear and hydro power projects are described and theoretically discussed in regard to the procedural capacities that allow for public participation. It is argued that because of ill-defined purposes of public participation and an institutional bias towards conflict-free siting processes, opportunities for participation have little relevance in terms of the overall aim of rendering decisions legitimate. Rather, participatory procedures exhibit a strong ritualistic character within a legalistic atmosphere, thereby excluding political argument whenever citizens are encouraged to engage. A normative account of the welfare society – expressed in Finland through the notion of the overall good in energy decision making – advocates reflection on current practices against the background of conceptualisation of political engagement in planning and decision making.

In addition, it is argued that despite efforts to strengthen local government and administration, public institutions appear to refrain from engaging in the planning process. This vacant space is filled by private institutions, though these lack a political mandate for their activities. Thus, this thesis argues that instead of increasing the legitimacy of procedures and decisions, the opposite is taking place through a weakening of public institutions and representative functions.

More generally, it is emphasised that the participatory imperative has to be considered a paradigmatic shift that requires reflection. The thesis discusses the influence of academic scholars on the formulation of a “participatory turn” that has produced an understanding of underlying expectations towards participating citizens in planning and assessment processes. Based on a review of theoretical outlines of reasonable and rational discourse, it is stated that these notions neglect important motivational factors and reinforce the exclusion of citizen participation in political struggle.