Heikki Pursiainen criticized Finnish economic discussion as limited based on two recently published columns in Helsingin Sanomat. According to him, Korkman described what should not be cut and believed that adjustments were necessary but did not propose any cuts. Pursiainen claimed that Korkman also criticized the government’s policies without offering alternatives. Pursiainen wrote that he found Teittinen’s reflections good in themselves but believed they underestimated Finns' ability to impact matters. He argued that Teittinen suggested that adjustments would probably be politically impossible and that Finland's fate depended on economic conditions and Russia. Pursiainen assessed that there could be many actions: he mentioned more encouraging social security, cutting business subsidies, tuition fees, and abandoning incentives for staying home as a parent. He added that for conservatives, a smaller public sector was a goal and not a reason for lamenting, and in his view, adjustments did not threaten the foundations of the welfare state. Pursiainen indicated that economists should also present their own solutions for discussion and negotiation. #Suomi #Taloustiede #Politiikka (translated)
