Study title

In conformity with the 1987 survey, the 1997 survey was arranged as a mapping of the citizen's activities and possibilities to influence within the 'small democracy' as well as within the 'big democracy'. The 'small democracy' refer to the citizen's possibilities to influence her/his own living conditions within the framework of a number of important roles, namely the role as: resident; patient (or related to patient); husband/wife; parent of small children; parent of school-children; gainfully employed; student; and unemployed. In comparison with the 1987 survey two new roles were included, the roles as student and as unemployed. The 'big democracy' refer to the possibilities to have an influence on more comprehensive decisions, to influence not only the personal situation but the situation for the whole country. Questions were asked about membership and activity in different organizations, as well as different attempts to influence decisions in questions concerning the whole community. Compared to the 1987 survey, the 1997 survey focuses more on the citizen's ideal of the good citizen, and their picture of their own and other's ability to fulfil these ideals. The 1997 survey also inquires the differences in opinion between the most active citizens and the less engaged. The importance of social networks for the democratic citizenship was also scrutinized. The questionnaire was divided into nine parts: Housing; Health and medical care; Family; Child care; Children's schooling; Work and education; Unemployment; Organizational activities and the community; Community and democracy. The sample is divided into two main parts. The first part consists of 350 married couples and both partners are interviewed. The other part consists of 1 300 persons, both married and unmarried persons. Purpose: Follow-up and make deeper studies of the results from the 1987 Citizen survey