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The population of Bothnia is approximately 7,692,000, (July 2010), with an average annual growth rate of one percent. Bothnians are culturally and linguistically homogeneous with 99.7% Bothnian and 0.3% other minorities. Bothnians are of the same ethnic group as Torrike and Otso, but have developed an air of intellectual and physical superiority. This is exemplified by their considerable sporting success in the world arena. Skillful nurturing has given Bothnia a keen sense of identity.

The family is the basic unit of society. Bothnian children are educated in the socialist way of life. The increased participation of women in the work force has affected the family structure and relationships.

The constitution guarantees religious freedoms, but nationally, active participation is very low. The population nominally consists of Protestant (47%), Roman Catholic (7%) and unaffiliated (46%). About 5% of Protestants and 25% of Roman Catholics are active participants.

The school system is highly centralized with a standard curriculum, mandatory attendance through tenth grade, and a strong emphasis on vocational training. Secondary level education stresses technology and science and above indoctrination in socialist ideology is included at all levels.

A compulsory social insurance program includes free medical care, ‘slow time’ compensation, and retirement benefits. The health care is good, with a steady decline in infant mortality rates and incidence of communicable diseases. There are a high proportion of elderly people and pensions are low relative to wages.

There are four major mass organizations—the Confederation of Bothnian Employers Association, the Free Bothnian Trade Union Federation, the Free Bothnian Youth, and the Democratic Women's League of Bothnia. These organizations seek to produce a unity of interests among all segments of the population and to mobilize support for government policies.

== Political Context ==

The Minister of Social Affairs and Education (MSDAE) is Mr. Frans Saarinen. He is a member of the Council of Ministers (the highest organ of state apparatus) and the Secretariat of the Politburo (implements to policy and personnel decisions of the Politburo). For more detailed information, see the [[Political: Bothnia|Political Variable]].

The country calls itself a "socialist state of workers and peasants." Theoretically, all power resides in the hands of the working class, but in reality the State exercises control of all resources and means of production. The Socialist Party of Bothnia (SPB) leadership forms the elite of society and is separated from the majority of the population by the privileges and power it enjoys. The members of the smartest and most educated citizens, the intelligentsia, form an intermediate stratum. This segment of the population includes members from the pre-1950s middle class as well as a group of newly trained and educated managers, planners, technicians, scientists, artists and others trained in the humanities. In general, the members of the Intelligentsia are apolitical. The vast majority of the population are workers, a grouping that includes manual laborers and white‐ collar workers. In designing their social programs, Bothnia’s government ensured they would restructure society and provide equal benefits for the working‐ class man and woman. Health, housing, and welfare programs are part of the scheme of restructuring society. The government has had mixed results in these areas. Since the 1990s, the government has catered to workers' demands for more and better consumer goods.

== Regional Context ==

When examining how Bothnians view their neighbors, it is apparent to see the influence of the SPB on society. Censorship and propaganda is effectively used to influence citizens. A strong sense of national pride and indifference to outsiders is a common thread among Bothnians. Although roughly half the country borders water, foreign influence is not abundantly found in the coastal towns and cities. The national restrictions on migration have also contributed to the limited foreign exposure of the common Bothnian. Their inward focus has developed a sense of mistrust with some of their neighbors, particularly those to the south in the Baltic region. Bothnians do, however, favor Torrikans and Linds, also thanks to effective media censorship.

== Social Statistics ==

{| class="wikitable"
|Measure
|Data
|Remarks (if  applicable)
|-
|Gross Domestic Product  (GDP)
|USD203 billion (2011  estimate); GDP per capita USD26,417 (2011 estimate); GDP growth ‐.01% (2011  estimate)
|Economy is centrally  planned and controlled by socialist party
|-
|Labor Force
|4.68 million (2009 est)
| 
|-
|Unemployment
|8.5% (2010 est)
|Bothnia does not provide  official unemployment figures as it does not acknowledge any unemployment in  the command economy
|-
|Poverty
|Data not available
| 
|-
|Investment
|Foreign direct investment  (FDI) USD52 billion (2009)
| 
|-
|National Budget
|USD122.34 billion
|See Economic Variable,  Table E-2 for specific government expenditures
|-
|Public Debt
|Data not available
|Directly held public debt  had been reduced to around 32% in 2008
|-
|Inflation
|Data not available
| 
|}

== Population Movement (Migration and Immigration) ==

There are no official restrictions on the internal movement of the population. However, a shortage of housing and difficulties relating to switching jobs have prevented large‐scale internal migration. Movement has taken place primarily within district boundaries, and residents have migrated from rural areas and small urban centers to medium and large sized municipalities. In 2009, for example, about 16 persons per 1,000 inhabitants moved across provincial boundaries.

There is little immigration with strict border controls. Bothnia’s control of immigration has been a primary force shaping tool. Immigration flow has primarily consisted of workers from the Baltic States and Torrike with a very small population from Southern Europe.

Ethnic Bothnians are one group that have experienced unimpeded migration into Bothnia since the end of WW2 and the split of Otsobothnia. At first, these immigrants were Bothnians who had resided in areas that had formerly been Otsobothnia territory. Later, the offspring of the Bothnian settlers who in previous centuries had settled in areas of Eastern Europe became regarded as ethnic Bothnians and as such have the right to Bothnian citizenship according to their Constitution. Because they became citizens immediately upon arrival in Bothnia, ethnic Bothnians would receive much financial and vocational training, and many other types of assistance, even language training – because many do not know the language of their forebears – are liberally provided. Although ethnic Bothnians are entitled to Bothnian citizenship by virtue of their bloodlines, to many Bothnians they do not seem Bothnian and their social integration has frequently been difficult.

The small Sami population can be found predominantly in the northern part of the Rovaniemi municipality. This group provides a special supporting role to the migratory reindeer herders that travel through Donovia, Otso, Torrike, and Norway. Although this group typically stays within the Rovaneimi area, the same Sami migration freedoms are afforded to them and are able to cross the Bothnian border unimpeded.

== Population Distribution ==

In 2009, Bothnia had an average population density of 162 persons per square kilometer. Densities ranged from 5470 persons in the Brahea to 75 in Hameelinna. There are towns where the population is rather sparsely distributed. In the south, where rich loessial soils provide attractive farmland and major mineral deposits can be found, the population is denser and is concentrated in and around urban‐ industrial centers.

Bothnia has an urban population of 4,845,960 (63%), by 2020; this will have increased by 616,000. This expansion, often occurring in a scattered way throughout countryside, is called urban sprawl. The extension of urban areas offers benefits, allowing people more living space, single‐family houses and gardens. But it can also create negative environmental, social and economic impacts for Europe's cities and countryside, in particular in the case of low density and scattered urban sprawl. These include increasing energy demand, human health problems and declining stocks of natural resources. From a social perspective, urban sprawl exacerbates social and economic divisions and is becoming an increasingly large factor in internal Bothnian politics and public order.

Transport accounts for around a third of all final energy consumption in western countries and for more than a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions. It is also responsible for a large share of urban air pollution as well as noise nuisance. Furthermore, transport has a serious impact on the landscape because it divides natural areas into small patches with serious consequences for animals and plants. Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from transport are growing rapidly along with the general growth in transport. Bothnia transport energy consumption and the resulting CO2 emissions per capita continue to be two to four times higher than in EU.

Of the 4 million people from 30 ethnic groups within the Arctic Circle, the Sami people are resident in northern Bothnia.

=== Rural ===

Major transportation routes bypass the northern third of the country. There are few large industrial centers outside of southern provinces and the developed coastal ports. The quality of the land is such as to favor forests, pastureland and mixed extensive‐intensive agriculture.

The southern third is the most densely populated and the most industrialized section of the country. It also contains the most fertile agricultural land. The loessial soils make the region attractive for farming. Intensive agriculture predominates, and the farm population lives in nucleated village settlements. Most of Bothnia's mineral resources are found in the south, and large cities developed around the deposits.

=== Urban ===

The urban population, i.e., those living in cities or towns of 2,000 or more, constituted about 87% of the total populace in 2010. 51% of the population lives in cities or towns of 100,000 inhabitants or more. About 20% of the population make their homes in small and medium‐sized towns of 10,000 to 50,000.

In keeping with the socialist pattern of urban planning, the State has attempted to develop urban centers throughout the country, to encourage uniform regional development, and to reduce disparities between rural and urban areas. The government is encouraging the development of some industry in the northern and central districts and fostering a diversification of industry in the south in order to revitalize centers with diminished resources and to redirect industrial activity toward priority sectors. In reality, planners have not been successful in controlling and balancing growth between rural and urban areas or among districts. By far the most important port city is Oulu, whose 2010 population was 279,000.

In the central third of the country, the important urban centers include the ports of Kokkola (92,000) which has a small chemical industry, Jyväskylä (259,000) which specializes in light industries, and Vaasa (118,000) which is the center of Bothnian shipbuilding.

The southern third is the most densely populated and the most industrialized section of the country. Most of Bothnia's large cities developed around the mineral deposits and the sea. In 2010, the two largest cities were Brahea + suburb of Vantaa + Espoo (2,267,000) and Turku (351,000). Also found in the southern region is Tampere municipality (423,000), which is the center of important food processing, manufacturing and communication industries and electricity generation.

While industry is often portrayed as the main source of environmental problems, Bothnia's industrial sector has actually made more progress in reducing its environmental impact than areas such as household consumption and transport. This is partly because industry was the first target of environmental regulation. It is also easier to force through changes on companies than convince the people to alter their lifestyles and habits. There is a growing trend away from heavy manufacturing, focusing increasingly on light industries with the notable exception of the chemical industry.

== Demographics ==

The workers, through the SPB and government organs, control and coordinate the use of social and economic resources and wealth for the public good. According to the ideology, in the perfect socialist society there would be no exploitation of one person by another and class distinctions based on ownership of property and material goods would not exist.

Bothnian officials consider theirs a transitional society that still contains elements of the past social order. The primary function of party and government leaders is to reconcile those differences that still exist and eventually to mold the various social groupings into a collective whole. The Constitution, in fact, notes that "the inviolable foundations of socialist society are provided by the firm alliance of the working class with the class of cooperative farmers, the Intelligentsia, and other sections of the population."

Ignoring the official structural breakdown of the population, however, it is possible to speak in the broadest terms of four social strata. These include the political elite, the workers, the Intelligentsia and privately employed persons (see Centers of Social Power).

Historical and political developments seriously affected the population structure and dynamics in Bothnian. The birth rate increased up until 1990 but thereafter has declined steadily. In 1996, the Bothnian Regime took some measures to stimulate the birth rate. The State granted working mothers a paid "baby year": a paid leave of absence until the child is one year old immediately following a twenty‐ six‐week leave for pregnancy and maternity. The State also granted all working mothers with two or more children a paid absence of up to six weeks per year so that they could take care of sick children.

Historical trends and population dynamics have interacted to produce a lopsided sex and age structure. Since the war, the country has had a large dependent population. In 2005 approximately 16.5% of the population is of pension age (men sixty‐five years and over and women sixty years and over). This number is a marked increase from the 14% that fell into such a category in 1990. At the same time, the declining birth rate affected the proportion of the population under the age of fifteen. As a result of the slight increase in the birth rate in the late 1990s, the proportion of the population under the age of fifteen stood at 16%, which almost equals the proportion of the pension age‐group. The economically active population is about 67%.

=== Population ===

The population, which has declined steadily since 1978, is about 7.6 million in 2010. Low birth rates and the dynamics of the population combined with historical trends to produce an unbalanced age and sex structure; in the early 2000s, a high proportion of the population is over sixty years of age. Most people lived in medium‐ sized towns of 5,000 to 50,000 residents.

After a slight upward trend in the late 1980s, a downward trend started in the 1990s. In 2000, the birth rate was 14.6 per 1,000; by 2005, the birth rate had fallen to 13.7 per 1,000.

The marriage rates have fluctuated over the years but, like birth rates, generally declined after reaching a peak of 11.7 marriages per 1,000 population in 1990. The number of marriages reflects changes in the sex ratio and the small proportion of the population that fell in the marriageable age bracket. Since the 1970s, women have tended to marry at a younger age; the marriage rate in 2010 was 7.9 per 1,000, slightly higher than in 2000. Divorce is common. In 2010, with 3.1 divorces per 1,000 population, Bothnia had one of the highest divorce rates in the world.

Infant mortality rates have dropped dramatically, going from 48.9 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1985 to ten in 2005. Similarly, the life span of the population increased in 2010 and stood at 75 years for women and 69 years for men. Death rates increased from 11.9 deaths per 1,000 population in 1980, to 13.6 in 1990, and to 14.1 in 2000. By 2010, the death rate had declined to 13.5 per 1,000 population.

By 2005, the Bothnian labor force became a comparatively large segment of the country's total population, standing at about 58%. (According to official figures, 65.88% of the population is of working age; about 79% of these individuals were employed.) In 2005, the proportion of the retirement‐age population was 19.8%. According to Bothnian statistics, in 2008 this proportion of the population had dropped to 16.5%. Nevertheless, in 2008 the country began to suffer from a labor shortage due to an increase in service members remaining on active duty following their compulsory service time. The government is attempting to solve the problem through a more efficient use of labor and through the replacement of workers by robots. In the early 2000s, increasing labor productivity was a major priority in economic planning.

== Social Issues ==

The youth have taken center stage in the last few decades. Despite the efforts of the SPB to promote organizations such as the YSB, the next generation of Bothnians are not as eager to participate as their predecessors did. The Party does a relatively good job at keeping social issues out of the public eye. However, typical issues found in most industrialized nations do exist and a small portion of the population views the government’s lack of recognition as a sign of deceit. This mistrust in the government has potential to grow and infect more and more of the population if not addressed by the SPB.

Although Bothnia has been able to maintain strict borders, the nation has welcomed the international assistance of various United Nations (UN) organizations. The UN following agencies are active in Bothnia: the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Also active are UN related organizations such as the World Bank.

== Education ==

The educational system, which is a source of pride for the Bothnian government and people, is the primary agent of socialization. The curriculum emphasizes science and mathematics and contains a "practical experience" component designed to bridge the gap between learning and work. The education system comprises of preschool education (kindergarten) for children from three to six years of age; a compulsory ten year polytechnic education for all children of ages six through sixteen; post polytechnic education, which consists of either vocational training leading to entry in the work force or extended general education leading to the university; and higher education at a special technical institute or university.

Bothnia has one of the world’s best performing education systems. Thanks to years of steady progress in education reform, its secondary school students regularly achieve high scores in PISA tests. The gap between the highest and lowest performers within schools is small, and there is little variation among schools or among pupils of differing family backgrounds. One reason for Bothnia’s success is the high degree of personal responsibility conferred on both teachers and students. In the 1970s and 1980s, management of Bothnia’s school system was decentralized and traditional academic structures in upper secondary schools were replaced by flexible modular structures, giving pupils more choice in what they study. Teachers were given freedom to design their curriculum and choose textbooks.

Schools in Bothnia are focal centers for their communities. They provide a daily hot meal for every student, plus health and dental services, psychological counseling and a broad array of other services for students and their families. They are mostly small in size with minimal administrative overheads and are mainly funded by municipal budgets. Principals are expected to take their share of the teaching load even in large schools.

Teachers share a strong personal and professional commitment to helping students succeed. They assess their students on an ongoing basis but they also focus on helping them to take increasing responsibility for their own learning. Teachers expect students to work in teams on projects, preferably cutting across traditional subject or disciplinary lines.

A particular feature of the Bothnian system is the “special teacher.” They are a specially trained teacher assigned to each school whose role is to work with class teachers to identify students needing extra help. Typically, they work individually or in small groups with these students to provide the support they need to keep up with their classmates.

Out of a population of 7.6 million, only 0.3% is foreign‐born, against an Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 12.9%. Bothnia spends 6.7% of its gross domestic product on education, well above the OECD average of 5.2%. Bothnia recruits its teachers from the top 10% of graduates. From primary through to upper secondary level, all teachers are required to have a Master’s degree. Bothnian teachers spend 592 hours per year teaching in class, less than the OECD average of 703 hours. This allows more time for supporting students with learning difficulties. At least two out of five Bothnian school students benefit from some type of special intervention during their secondary schooling.

=== Educational Structure ===

The polytechnic curriculum accords a prominent role to science and technology, reflecting the regime's need for technically trained individuals. Throughout the entire educational program, the regime emphasizes instruction in "socialist values." The curriculum balances scientific knowledge with ideological instruction to produce "a scientific view of life" according to Socialist philosophy. Theory relates to practice through polytechnic training, and the child is expected to grasp a basic understanding of productive relationships.

The educational system's major goal is producing technically qualified personnel to fill the manpower needs of the economy. The government guarantees employment to those who complete the mandatory ten-year program. Ostensibly, the student is free to choose his or her occupation but government plans and policies often guide career choices.

In 2010, there were 1,864 general schools with a total student population of 1.1 million. The average class size is twenty students. Educators and specialists develop the curriculum, textbooks, and teacher manuals, which, however, appropriate authorities closely control and approve. The Politburo of the SPB makes most policy decisions regarding the educational system. The main task of the Ministry of Education which oversees the kindergartens and polytechnic schools is making certain that SPB policies are implemented and that instructional materials reflect the proper philosophical orientation.

=== Kindergarten ===

Attendance at kindergarten is not mandatory but the majority of children from ages 3 to 6 attend. The state considers kindergartens an important element of the overall educational program. The schools focus on health and physical fitness, development of socialist values and the teaching of rudimentary skills. Many schools are now moving towards a combined school of childcare center and kindergarten, which introduce the child gradually into a more regimented program of activities and ease the pains of adjustment. In 2010 there were 5,148 preschools providing care for about 91% of children eligible to attend.

=== Primary School ===

Compulsory education begins at the age of 6, when every child enters the 10 grade, coeducational general polytechnic school. The program is divided into three sections. The primary stage includes grades 1 through 3, where children are taught the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. The primary stage also introduces children to the fundamentals of good citizenship and, in accordance with the 1965 education law, provides them with their "first knowledge and understanding of nature, work, and socialist society." Instruction emphasizes Bothnian language, literature, and art as a means of developing the child's expressive and linguistic skills; about 60% of classroom time is devoted to this component. Mathematics instruction accounts for about 24% of the curriculum and includes an introduction to fundamental mathematical laws and relations. Another 8% is devoted to physical education, which comprises of exercises, games, and activities designed to develop coordination and physical skill. Polytechnic instruction is also begins at the primary level and consists of gardening and crafts that give the child a basic appreciation of technology, the economy, and the worker; about 8% of classroom time is allotted to such instruction.

=== Secondary School ===

An intermediate stage in the child's education begins in grade 4 and continues through grade 6. Natural and social sciences also become part of the curriculum and together with mathematics forms about 26 % of instruction time. Another 44 % of instruction is taken up with Bothnian literature, language, art, history, and geography. The remainder is divided between sports and polytechnic instruction. During this stage of the young person's education, the political-ideological content of the curriculum becomes increasingly important. The curriculum emphasizes the connection between education and work and it acquaints pupils in a more detailed way with the life of society and with work, science, technology, and culture. The development of a socialist personality, especially a socialist attitude toward work, is a major objective. Since 1990, this stage introduces the study of the Donovian language and consumes about 12% of classroom time.

High School. The final stage of polytechnic schooling comprises of grades 7‐10. Polytechnic instruction includes courses in technical drawing, socialist production, and productive work. The pupil spends one day per week in practical training, working alongside regular employees at a nearby factory or agricultural cooperative. About 14% of the curriculum is devoted to polytechnic instruction during this stage. Science education forms about 22 % of instruction time, and courses covering biology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy. Mathematics consumes roughly 15% of the classroom period; Donovian language, 9%; and Bothnian art, literature, language, and history, about 34%. A second foreign language, generally English, is introduced at the upper grade levels.

=== Tertiary Education ===

A final option is the extended polytechnic education, which prepare only a minority of students for higher education. In 2010, approximately 8.3% of those completing their general schooling continued in extended polytechnic programs. In the past, children were selected for extended schooling after the eighth grade, but as of the early 1990s, the selection is generally made after the 10th grade. In effect, the extended schooling is a college preparatory program. The curriculum continues the general education provided at the lower grades, but instruction is more intensive and geared specifically to university entry. The extended schools have instruction through grade 12. A 13th year is spent in practical training. This year is meant to instill in the student an appreciation of labor and to prevent an elitist attitude from emerging among those who went on for higher education.

After passing the examination and completing a year of practical training, the student could apply to either a university or a technical institute. Applicants are judged primarily on their scholastic achievements and political attitudes. In the past, applicants from working‐class backgrounds were given priority for positions at the university and institutes.

In 2010, Bothnia had 33 universities, with a total enrollment of 170,000 students. Women make up about 50% of the student population. Courses in engineering and technology head the list of popular subjects. Medicine, economics, and education are also popular choices. There are 20 technical institutions, with a total student population of 174,000. About 61% of the students study full time, while the remainder enroll in correspondence study or take evening classes. The three most popular fields of study at the institutes are medicine and health, engineering and technology, and economics. Courses at the university and technical institutes consist primarily of lectures and examinations. Completion of the program leads to a diploma or license, depending on the field of study.

As of 2010, higher education is very inexpensive, and many of the textbooks were provided free of charge. Full or partial financial assistance in the form of scholarships is available for most students, and living expenses are generally minimal because most students continue to live at home during their courses of study. Bothnians have a high regard for education, and the Regime has generally supported young people who have wanted to upgrade their level of skills through further training or education. Ironically, education has become one way in which young people seek to achieve social recognition. Higher education has also produced a generation that is oftentimes overqualified for available jobs. The government began restricting the number of positions available at the universities and technical institutes during the late 1990s, making competition for entry extremely stiff.

=== Vocational Education ===

Upon completion of the compulsory ten year education, the student has essentially three options. The most frequently chosen option is to begin a two-year period of vocational training. In 2010, about 86% of those who had completed their ten‐year course of study began some kind of vocational training. During vocational training, the student becomes an apprentice, usually at a local or state enterprise. Students received eighteen months of training in selected vocations and specialize in the final six months. In 2010, approximately 6% of those who had completed their polytechnic education entered a three‐ year program of vocational training. This program led to the end of school examination. Passing the exam enables the student to apply to a technical institute or university, although this route to higher education is considered very difficult. Currently, Bothnian has a total of 408 vocational schools; 219 are connected with industries, and the remainder are municipal vocational schools. Vocational schools serve 177,567 students.

== Ethnic Diversity ==

The Bothnian Constitution provides for the protection of minority cultures and languages and guarantees freedom to profess a religious creed. As of 2010, the only minority groups were the small Jewish and Sami communities. In 2011, the estimated numerical strength was at several hundred for each, with approximately 400 Jews professing their faith and 350 Sami living within the Bothnian border. About 80% of Jews in Bothnia are over sixty‐five years old. They are free to practice their religious and cultural traditions, and they have their own organization, known as the Union of Jewish Communities in Bothnia.

The small Sami population can be found predominantly in the northern part of the Rovaniemi municipality. This group provides a special supporting role to the migratory reindeer herders that travel through Donovia, Otso, Torrike, and Norway. They provide the main services for butchery for meat distribution on the eastern half of the Gulf of Bothnia. Although this group typically stays within the Rovaneimi area, the same Sami migration freedoms are afforded to them and are able to cross the Bothnian border unimpeded.

== Religious Diversity ==

Of the Bothnian population that claims religious affiliation, only a small portion actively participate in the church. Various factors from political pressure to general lack of interest have contributed to the lack of involvement. Roughly 5% of Protestants and 25% of Roman Catholics are active participants.

The Lutheran Church, the main Protestant denomination, is organized into eight territorial churches that were, in turn, federated into two primary organizations. They cooperate with each other under a loose federal structure that was set up in 1979, but in the mid‐1990s, the Lutheran churches integrated into a single entity, the Lutheran Church of Bothnia. The current Archbishop is the Most Rev. Dr. Juho Hintikka. The church characterizes its relationship with the Regime as one of critical solidarity, a phrase that implies a mixture of compromise and criticism. The Regime considers the church an anomaly and discourages the population from participating in religious activities.

For the most part, the Regime has left the Church of Bothnia alone. Influence on the Church has traditionally been indirect through propaganda measures to steer people away from participation. In the mid‐1980s that all changed when the church became a focus of dissent because it provided institutional and ideological foundations for the growth of an unofficial peace movement. Over the last few decades, the church has been a strong advocate for peace and a change to a non‐militaristic way of life in Bothnia. Various grassroots organizations have sprung up and dissident activists established networks with Pastors and attached themselves with the churches. Many church buildings harbor objectors to military service, host concerts and exhibitions by underground and banned artists, as well as prayer meetings and forums especially on the theme of peace. Many church prayer vigils in 2011 attracted thousands of congregants. This peace issue has become a wedge between the church and the Regime. In the last decade, the Regime has taken a more active role in pressuring the Church. In 2011 alone, the number of arrests at vigils has doubled from the previous year and church inspections are now part of most routine police patrols.

Traditional Sámi beliefs are composed of three intertwining elements: animism, shamanism, and polytheism. The resurgence of this religion also combines traditional elements, such as older Sami teachings, with newer monotheistic inventions that Christian missionaries taught their ancestors, such as readings from the Bible.

== Common Languages ==

Bothnian, Donovian, and English.

The Sami people primarily speak Donovian with some speaking a version of Sami. However, there is no single Sami language, but a group of ten distinct Sami languages. Six of these languages have their own written standards. The Sami languages are relatively closely related, but not mutually intelligible; for instance, speakers of Southern Sami cannot understand Northern Sami. Especially earlier, these distinct languages were referred to as "dialects", but today, this is considered misleading due to the deep differences between the varieties. Most Sami languages are spoken in several countries, because linguistic borders do not correspond to national borders. The Sami languages belong to the Uralic language family, linguistically related to Finnish, Estonian, and Hungarian. Due to prolonged contact and import of items foreign to Sami culture from neighboring Scandinavians, there are a number of Germanic loanwords in Sami, particularly for "urban" objects.

== Criminal Activity ==

Criminal trends within the country are primarily murder, sexual violence, financial crime, and corruption. 

Half of murders involve men of marginalized groups (unemployed, undereducated, drug and alcohol problems) in heavy drinking situations. 35% of homicides are committed by family members, and 10% of homicides are classified as youth violence. Women are 10% of the offenders and 25% of the victims. Firearms are used in 14% of the cases. Street shootings and gang violence are rare but growing. Clashes involving motorcycle gangs have occurred in recent years, attracting national attention.

Sexual violence in 2006 included 594 cases of rape, 380 cases of other sex crimes, and 952 cases of statutory rape. 11% of the rapes were committed by foreigners with victims as young as 10 years old.

Financial crimes in Bothnia include price fixing, insider trading, and tax evasion. The sentences are especially low when compared with the potential benefits of committing such crimes, as well as when compared with international standards.

Corruption levels have been historically low, but began climbing in 2006. There were 15 confirmed bribery and attempted bribery cases in 2005. That jumped to 116 in 2006 and has been rising every year since then. No corporations were fined and no business prohibitions were imposed for committing bribery.

Bothnia had an incarceration rate of 59 persons per 100,000 inhabitants in 2014.

=== '''Transnational Crime''' ===
Most of the transnational crime is smuggling and human trafficking. This is most often committed by organized crime groups or their low-level associates. Smuggling is a lucrative crime in Bothnia. Criminals use sea routes, land routes, and air routes for opportunistic smuggling. The latest technique being observed is the use of unmanned drones to surveil border crossing sites and actually transport small amounts of illegal products.

'''Beer and cigarette smuggling'''. Bothnia, not being a member of the EU, imposes significant tariffs on cigarettes and beer entering the country. The incentive to buy both of these commodities at seriously reduced prices is great. Law enforcement agencies estimate there are up to 6 million liters of smuggled beer annually. Criminal gangs, especially from Eastern Europe, have professional distribution networks in Norway and actively use social media. 

'''Drug smuggling'''. Drug smuggling goes both ways. Locally produced methamphetamines and marijuana is smuggled out of the country across Europe. Opioids are smuggled in from Asia and Africa. Cocaine and marijuana is brought in from South America.

'''Weapons smuggling'''. Bothnia has one of the world’s highest percentage of private firearm ownership. One of the results of bordering countries which restrict private weapons ownership is a brisk black market for firearms. 

'''Human trafficking'''. This crime is another one that also goes both ways. Humans are trafficked into Bothnia for sexual slavery in illegal brothels, or as unpaid unskilled laborers. Sometimes the traffickers use Bothnia as a way point en route to other European countries. Similarly, Bothnian young women have been kidnapped or tricked into being trafficked into other regions where they fetch high prices. A common ruse is to promise a high paying job in an exotic country to disaffected teens. Too late they discover they have been sold into some sort of slavery that requires an exorbitant repayment to get out.

=== '''Transnational Criminal Organizations''' ===
'''Atbrivosana/ATB'''. ATB is a cyber-criminal organization operating in every country in the Baltic region. Not associated with the Anonymous movement, they nonetheless use many of the same tactics using a veneer of anarchist political leanings. In truth, they are hackers-for-hire in the criminal world. Common tactics include ransomware, distributed denial of services (DDOS) attacks, introduction of malware (logic bombs, worms, viruses, etc) into servers and individual computers, and defacing public websites. They are suspected of assisting Donovia in disinformation campaigns in the past. ATP has no allegiance to NATO or the Gulf of Bothnia Cooperation Council (GBCC) countries, but will work with them for the right price. ATP is directly linked to the Ziepiekkalns Izturiba (ZI) transnational criminal organization in Latvia.                                                                                                                                    

<center>
{| class="wikitable"
![[File:Jaarvinen Olavi.png|thumb|
'''Olavi Järvinen'''
]]
|204x204px]]
![[File:Heikkinen Micael.png|thumb|243x243px|
'''Mikael Heikkinen'''
]]
|}

'''ATB Convicted Hackers'''
</center>

'''Donovian Mafia'''. An extension of the Donovian Mafia in the Caucasus, their membership now includes some Torrikans. While openly proud of their Donovian heritage, the main victims of their activities are Donovian expatriates working and living in Bothnia. The Donovian Mafia specializes in prostitution, drug trafficking, financial crimes, and European smuggling, protection, and extortion. Members greet each other as “moy va brat” (my brother). Non-members are never referred to with that title. Unlike the Torrike branch, the Donovian Mafia in Bothnia is a carefully structured Cosa Nostra–type family with specific rules about member activities and expectations of the organization. In 2016, Bothnian customs officials seized 54 kg of methamphetamines being smuggled from Bothnia to Donovia. The perpetrators were all known associates of the Donovian Mafia.           
<center>
{| class="wikitable"
![[File:Virtanen Grigoriy.png|left|thumb|240x240px|
'''Grigoriy Virtanen'''
]]
![[File:Korhonen Onni.png|left|thumb|254x254px|'''Onni Korhonen''']]
|}

'''Donovian Mafia Members in Bothnia'''
</center>
'''Baltic Buddy.''' This is a transnational criminal organization which specializes in cyber theft, media manipulation, perception management through the Internet, and development and dissemination of “fake news”. Not as prolific as ATB, Baltic Buddy has been exceptionally successful at eluding location, arrest, and incarceration. They are known to have operatives in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. They are suspected of having cells scattered throughout Europe using the dark web for communications. 
[[File:Baltic Buddy.png|center|thumb|'''BalticBuddy Logo''']]  

BalticBuddy, is a ‘hacktivist’ group that first appeared in the Baltic region in 2014. Their focus is leaking information, mass spamming, blogs, discussion forums, phishing for data, sensitive transmissions, and propaganda dissemination. They are a clear supporter of keeping NATO and the EU out of the Baltic Sea Region. They have been very successful in targeting government systems and leaking sensitive and embarrassing documents, such as diplomatic cables. Unconfirmed open source information reports that BalticBuddy is composed of paid media specialists, able to engineer stories, prepare and deploy a cyber campaign. It appears they are less sophisticated than Spruce 3, as they were not able to completely mask their anonymity, as noted by the recent finding that the IP addresses leaking documents, were mainly of Bothnian origin.

BalticBuddy methods of operation include:

* Use third-party companies and individuals as ‘cyber trolls’ or “troll factories” to support an anti-NATO/EU propaganda media campaign, proving professional command of the domain and ability to generate the desired effects on the public.
* Exploit NATO partners, both military and non-military through server vulnerabilities, to snoop and phish for sensitive data and communications that could cause international embarrassment and/or friction between NATO nations; such as exposing public scandals or financial assets.
* Conduct mass spamming of social media.
* Flood social media platforms with multiple accounts, leading discussions over generated mass fake news, reports, misinformation, twisting of facts and exploiting NATO/EU mistakes.
[[File:BalticBuddy Weaponization of Information Domain.png|center|thumb|765x765px|'''Baltic Buddy Weaponization of the Information Domain''']]

Not much is known about the inner composition of Baltic Buddy’s network, but its web activity and frequent change of quality of writing and posts, suggest a large number of members. Law enforcement analysts speculate Baltic Buddy is run by an inner circle of Bothnian media specialists, with enough resources to contract or establish third-party companies to serve as their massive troll group branch, following their predefined information operations campaign.

A single troll factory typically employs 80 hackers maintaining around-the-clock operations. These are generically divided into eight groups, each with a specific focus.

* Group 1: Online media. Monopoly of opinions and discredit of the relayed information on major national news networks.
* Group 2: Social networks. Dissemination of tailor-made information on major social media platforms.
* Group 3: Blogs/Forums. Harassment of opinion makers and troll-posting.
* Group 4: Companies and industry. Influencing the market by targeting world retailers and spawning opinions against target.
* Group 5: Political parties. Generating war of opinions between parties and candidates. Promoting political warfare and general confusion.
* Group 6: Major events. Manipulation of facts, promoting strategic outcomes and generating band-wagoning.
* Group 7: Disinformation and fake news. Overt publication of alternative facts on Skolkan owned news outlets.
* Group 8: Conspiracy theories. Engineering of half-truth theories that cast shadows of doubts on the democratic governments of NATO and EU members.

'''FIGURE. BALTICBUDDY TROLL FACTORY''' 

'''Nutakus'''. Olvanans in Nutaku tend to keep a very low profile while using low level criminals to conduct street work. Nutakus specialize in Asian smuggling and corruption of ship crews, stevedores at ports, local law enforcement officers, and judges. In the last ten years, the Nutakus in Bothnia have added counterfeiting and sale of false government papers (national identity cards, passports, customs inspections, etc). These are sold to smugglers and human traffickers as well as local criminals. A percentage of earnings are sent to Nutaku leadership in Olvana.                        
<center>
{| class="wikitable"
![[File:Wei Zhang.png|left|thumb|220x220px|
'''Zhang Wei, AKA “Erittäin”'''

'''Nutaku Leader in Bothnia'''
]]
![[File:Ruo Zhi.png|left|thumb|221x221px|
'''Zhi Ruo'''

'''Suspected Counterfeiter'''
]]
|}
</center>
'''Saints of Cognitio (SoC)'''. SoC is a transnational criminal organization with elements in Ariana, Atropia, Bothnia, and Donovia. SoC uses a variety of INFOWAR actions to right perceived wrongs as well as to raise revenue. Where effective INFOWAR capabilities were once limited to state actors, SoC is known to employ a combination of media manipulation and information activities, alongside computer warfare, to disrupt organizations—state or non-state—that it believes act outside of its own moral code. While their motivations are predominantly ethical, they are not averse to forming short-term alliances with other irregular actors to raise revenue or to achieve maximum effect. Their normal target is national police and security forces, government facilities and major corporations.
<center>
{| class="wikitable"
![[File:Hamalainen Maria.png|left|thumb|237x237px|'''Maria Hämäläinen''']]
![[File:Makela Juhani.png|left|thumb|240x240px|'''Juhani Mäkelä''']]
|}
'''Saints of Cognitio Hackers. Mäkelä has been convicted and is incarcerated. Hämäläinen is still at large.'''
</center>'''Uber Cyber “Tree”,''' also known as '''“SPRUC_3”, “Spruce 3”, “3ntity”, and “Entity”'''. This is a decentralized Anonymous network of “Blackhat” hackers which is anti-NATO in political position. Spruce-3 is linked to numerous hackers throughout Europe.  

Its criminal activity includes infiltration and exploitation of banking vulnerabilities, stealing large amounts of “virtual money” later converted into bitcoins. The financing network and channeling of funds hasn’t yet been identified. Spruce 3 successfully mounted a complex center of operations in the Onion Tor network (DeepWeb), using encrypted access to establish a secure communication network on the “darknet”.

'''FIGURE. SPRUCE 3 LOGO'''

Spruce 3’s motto is “The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy”. They act quickly and decisively against voices raised in support of NATO and the EU, or in protest of GBCC policies and agreements. Common internet users believe the myth that Spruce 3 sees all, acting as the sword of justice, cutting down all cyber unfairness towards Bothnian interests. The organization appears to be a decentralized, anonymous global network of ‘blackhat’ hackers pushing a Bothnian agenda. It is believed they are composed of extremely high skilled individuals on all cyber subdomains with university level degrees and ages comprised between 25 – 45 years old. Recruitment and training happens in Arnish, Bothnian, and Torrikan universities and in conferences and workshops. Analysts identified crypto and stenographic puzzles as a form of recruitment of like-minded people with enough technical knowledge to crack the puzzles.

Spruce 3 leadership is known as “3ntity”, or “Entity”. The “white–hat hacker” community agrees that Spruce 3 may be led by one individual, a series of individuals, or none at all. This means Spruce 3 may operate on orders given from a centralized third-party actor; state figure or private group. There is no substantial information available regarding the organization of Spruce 3, besides the fact that there is high probability that Spruce 3 is a system of systems, decentralized, possibly controlled by a state figure or a private group. Spruce 3 may have specialized nodes in different domains, responsible for new targets and tailor made jobs. This organization acts world-wide and is believed to have members across the globe.

'''FIGURE. SPRUCE 3 SUSPECTED LEADERSHIP'''

Spruce 3 appears to focus on offensive cyber capabilities, like penetration tools, SCADA attacks, DDOSs, floods and disruption of critical sewage, water, electrical and transport (SWET) systems. They have the knowledge and capability to exploit vulnerabilities in NATO AGS, AGS ground stations, NAEW, and attacking NATO’s Mission Network. Spruce 3 may have tampered with avionics software, compromising the safety and efficiency of the air missions. They also conduct anti-NATO/anti-EU disinformation campaigns.

Spruce 3 methods of operation include:

* Organization and planning done through a series of VPNs possibly connected to Onion and IP2 networks,  allowing for a high level of anonymous and difficult to trace activity
* Disrupting SWET systems by injecting custom made C2 protocols through malware
* Standard cryptographic protocols to deliver C2 payloads
* File deletions
* File and directory
* Credentials manipulation
* Multiband Communications
* Brute Force Tactics
* Exfiltration protocols
* Manipulation of AIS systems; software hijacking of freights and cruise liners; ability to hijack and control military UAVs

=== '''Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs''' ===
EUROPOL is especially concerned about the spread of outlaw motorcycle gangs into Europe from the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Since 2005, there has been steady growth in the membership of such gangs worldwide. In Europe, the number of clubs has more than doubled.

The main threat to public safety from outlaw motorcycle gangs stems from their propensity for extreme forms of violence. This includes the use of firearms and explosive devices such as grenades. In general, the use of intimidation and violence is intrinsic to the subculture of outlaw motorcycle gangs and serves to exert control over group members, rival gangs and others, such as victims of extortion.

Founded originally in the southeastern United States, Furnace is the largest and most dangerous group, and the only transnational biker gang in Bothnia. There are smaller gangs which are being slowly subsumed into Furnace after the ‘Nordic Biker Wars’ of the 1990s. The Furnace MC goal is to have Bothnia as a “one patch country” where only the Furnace patch is allowed. This is a multi-racial gang, unlike most other clubs which are organized along racial lines. Other large U.S. gangs are attempting to establish themselves in Bothnia, and several local gangs refuse to “patch over” to Furnace. This has led to violent encounters which have made national attention. Furnace MC in Bothnia specializes in local drug production (methamphetamines, ecstasy, etc.) and distribution, smuggling, extortion, and murder for hire. There are suspected cases of them working for the Donovian Mafia. Furnace MC is known to work closely with the Bocyowicz Crime Family (BCF) in Atropia. See DATE Caucasus for more information on BCF.
<center>
{| class="wikitable"
![[File:Furnace-Bothnia.png|left|thumb|231x231px|
'''Furnace Patch with Club Top Rocker and Chapter Bottom Rocker'''
]]
|}
</center>
FURNACE MC define themselves as “the oven where trash is burned and steel is hardened”. Club colors are black and red. Full members wear back patch of a flaming skull. Top rocker is club name. Bottom rocker is chapter location. MC patch on right. 1%er patch on left. In Otso, this is translated to “Yksi Prosentti”: Otsan language translation for One Percenter, or outlaw biker. The name “FLAMER” is the only name tag allowed on the front of a member’s colors unless he is the chapter president or enforcer. Prospects wear only the bottom rocker on the back, and an embroidered name tag in the left-front which says “BLASTER”. No other patches are allowed on a prospect’s colors.

Titles/Name tags:
* “Breaker”. Chapter President.
* “Blaster”. Prospective member, usually a year     or longer, must “survive the blast”, or successfully complete all tasks     assigned without question or concern.
* “Flamer”. Full patch member.
* “Destructor”.     Club enforcer, a member who has killed for the club. A destructor is a special     member function that ends the life of a competitor. The purpose of the     destructor is to free up the resources of the victim and acquire them for     the club.
Club tattoos are allowed only for full members. Anyone with these tattoos that are not Furnace members (including Blasters) will be beaten, and the tattoo will be removed with a razor or burned off with a torch. All full members have the black flames on their right forearm. The flaming skull shown in the photo on either the right or left shoulder indicates a Destructor. Full members may have the back patch tattooed to their back. Flame representations may only be red or black. All clothing and accessories with Furnace emblems are considered club property and are kept when a member dies or leaves the club.
<center>
{| class="wikitable"
![[File:Flamers-Club.png|left|thumb|276x276px|
'''Flamer Club Tattoo'''
]]
![[File:Destructor.png|left|thumb|288x288px|
''' Destructor Club Tattoo'''
]]
|}
'''  '''
</center>
== Human Rights / Universal Health Care  ==

Initially, Bothnia’s increasing use of nitrate fertilizers and pesticides was creating problems and the country has become one of the most polluted regions of Europe. In an effort to combat the growing pollution, the Bothnian government, having long affirmed the importance of environmental protection, was a party to a number of international agreements concerning progressive reduction of harmful emissions. Additional government policies to protect the environment and the country's resources included recycling of materials, energy conservation, and enforcement of already existing regulations.

Bothnia has a highly decentralized, three-level, publicly-funded system of health care and alongside these, a much smaller private health care system. Responsibility for health care is devolved to the municipalities (local government). For the organization of specialized medical care, Bothnia is divided into 20 hospital districts. Five of them are university hospital districts. The Hospital District of Brahea and Uusimaa is the largest of the university districts. One hospital district can run several hospitals. The Hospital District of Brahea and Uusimaa have 24 hospitals throughout the province of Uusimaa in southern Bothnia.

=== Health Standards ===

In the areas of health and welfare, the country has shown mixed results. As of 2007, the Free Bothnian Trade Union Federation administers a compulsory social insurance program to cover the workers (Self‐ employed persons and members of farm and craft cooperatives have a slightly different program administered by the State.) The program includes free medical treatment, coverage for accidents and disabilities, unemployment compensation, and retirement benefits. The worker contributes 10% of his or her monthly income toward financing the program. The employing enterprise matches the amount contributed from the worker. In the past, funds have been inadequate, and the State has had to finance the program.

There are 307 residents for each doctor. About 18.9% of health care is funded directly by households and 77.1% by taxation. Bothnia limits medicine sales to about 800 licensed pharmacies. The two institutions chartered to monitor the status of public health in Bothnia are the Ministry of Health and the National Institute for Health and Welfare.

Life expectancy is 82 years for women and 75 years for men. After having one of the highest death rates from heart disease in the world in the 1970s, improvements in the Bothnian diet and exercise have paid off. Bothnia has average smoking rates: 36% for males and 29% for females.

Bothnia's health problems are similar to other developed countries: circulatory diseases make up about half of all causes of death and cancer is the second most common cause.

The total annual consumption of pure alcohol by residents is high and becoming intoxicated has remained the central characteristic of Bothnian drinking habits. In the working‐age population, diseases or accidents caused by alcohol consumption have recently surpassed coronary artery disease as the biggest single cause of death.

Schools teach sports, health and hands‐ on cooking classes. Bothnian schoolchildren have one of the highest amounts of sport classes in Europe, and according to the National Public Health Institute about two third of adults take adequate exercise. The National Public Health Institute claims that 34% of males and 28% of females are overweight, while other estimates put the rates at 50% and 30%.

=== Primary and Secondary Care ===

Primary health care is obtained from district health centers employing general practitioners and nurses that provide most day‐to‐day medical services. The general practitioners are also gatekeepers to the more specialized services in the secondary and tertiary care sectors. Secondary care is provided by the municipalities through district hospitals. Bothnia also has a network of five university teaching hospitals which makes up the tertiary level. These contain the most advanced medical facilities in the country and they are where Bothnian doctors learn their profession. The municipalities fund these, but the national government meets the cost of medical training. These hospitals are located in the major cities of Brahea, Turku, Tampere, Hyvinkää, and Oulu.

The military medical services are embedded within the civilian sector with a very high proportion of clinicians also members of the reserve forces. District Military Medical Units are attached to all the major hospitals and these generally contain the best facilities.

There is a high level of co‐operation between the various sectors although limited by the lack of modern centralized computer technology. Since the 1990s, the planning system for basic health care has been extended and now plans not just health care services but also home care for the elderly and day care for children creating a fairly seamless cradle to grave system.

The separate private health care system is very small. Physiotherapy, dentistry and occupational health services are the main areas where the private sector is used the most, although the municipalities by law also have to provide basic dental services. Obliged by law, employers provide occupational health care services for their employees, as are educational establishments for their students as well as their staff. The patient pays for most private care, but a significant share of the cost is reclaimable from the National Insurance system. Prescription eyewear, however, are not publicly subsidized.

=== Specialist Clinical/non-Clinical Services ===

Bothnia has reported to the IAEA its intention to produce medical and industrial radioisotopes from the Oikiluoto reactor and production of some is understood to have already begun. Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT) is known to have been conducted at the Brahea University Hospital and Bothnian researchers have been active in this field. However, there have been some unconfirmed reports of experiments with neutron bombardment of Bi‐209, possibly to create Po‐210.

Several hospitals are equipped with nuclear medical departments or conduct imagery using a variety of radioactive sources. Industrial radiography is also used on a growing scale. Although procedures have been tightened considerably, some concern remains over the standards of care of radioactive material and waste. In 2007, a major incident was only narrowly averted when a capsule containing 90 grams of cesium chloride was mislaid while a hospital facility was being dismantled.

A Patient’s Injury Law gives patients the right to compensation for unforeseeable injury that occur as a result of treatment or diagnosis. Health care personnel need not be shown to be legally responsible for the injury, thus avoiding the development of a litigious blame culture and the development of defensive medical practices. To receive compensation, it is sufficient that unforeseeable injury as defined by law occurred. A law on patients’ status and rights, the first such law in Europe, ensures a patient’s right to information, to informed consent to treatment, the right to see any relevant medical documents, and the right to autonomy. Legislation also lays down the time frame in which a person must be ensured access to necessary medical care and defines the small percentage of treatments that are to be considered as non‐urgent. Doctors comply with care guidelines set by medical experts, but these are just guidelines and doctors are free to decide independently how to treat patients. The government does not dictate how doctors may treat their patients. Regardless, the quality of service in Bothnian health care is considered to be good.

Overall, the municipalities (funded by taxation, local and national) meet about two thirds of all medical care costs and the remaining one third by the National Insurance system (nationally funded), and private finance (either employer funded or met by patients themselves). There are caps on total medical expenses that patients pay for drugs and hospital treatments. The national insurance system pays for all necessary costs over these caps. Public spending on health care in 2009 was equivalent to USD4,031 per person annually. Household budgets directly met 18.7% of all health care costs.

{| class="wikitable"
|+Hospitals in Bothnia
|Central  Bothnia Central Hospital
|Jyväskylä
|-
|Brahea  University Hospital
|Brahea
|-
|Southern  Ostrobothnia Central Hospital
|Seinäjoki
|-
|Jorvi  Hospital
|Espoo
|-
|Hyvinkää  University Hospital
|Hyvinkää
|-
|Jokilaakso  Hospital
|Jämsä
|-
|Lapland  Central Hospital
|Rovaniemi
|-
|Oulu  University Hospital
|Oulu
|-
|Päijänne  Tavastia Central Hospital
|Lahti
|-
|Tampere University Hospital
|Tampere
|-
|Turku University Hospital
|Turku
|-
|Porvoo Hospital
|Porvoo
|-
|Vaasa
|Vaasa
|-
|Peijas Hospital
|Vantaa
|}

== Centers of Social Power ==

Generally, there are four social levels within the Bothnian culture, and four major mass organizations. The social levels are the political elite, the working class, the intelligentsia, and privately employed persons. The mass organizations are the Confederation of Bothnian Employers Association (CBA), the Free Bothnian Trade Union Federation (FBTUF), the Youth Society of Bothnia (YSB) and the Democratic Women's League of Bothnia (DWLB). These organizations seek to produce a unity of interests among all segments of the population and to mobilize support for government policies.

=== Political Elite ===

This group encompasses those who gained their power and influence through loyalty to the SPB. Stratification, particularly at the elite level, is based primarily on technical/intellectual competence and political power. Education and loyalty to the SPB are the main means of upward mobility. 

Membership of the political elite is based on a combination of party loyalty, training and on‐ the‐ job performance, and personal friendships. Party loyalty is by far the most important criterion. It involves a blend of devotion to Socialist principles, loyalty to the State, commitment to socialist internationalism, and strict adherence to party discipline. An individual's record of political activity and length of service in the party and related mass organizations in large measure determine the likelihood of rising to a top leadership role within the party hierarchy.

In the late 1940s and 1950s, party loyalty tended to displace all other considerations in selection of candidates for leading positions. Long‐time party activists, most of whom had been active in the Communist Party of Bothnia before World War II and many of whom had received their training in the USSR, were placed in control of the government after the war. Loyalists with little or no practical administrative or technical experience took charge of major industries. These members of the "old guard" tend to be party dogmatists.

Since the 1970s, a growing emphasis has been placed on performance‐related criteria. It is no longer enough to be a loyal party activist; the aspiring candidate must also possess a certain amount of talent and skill, often based on intensive scientific and technical education. The professionalization of the party leadership is apparent in the structural breakdown of the Politburo. In 2008, of 25 full and candidate members of the Politburo, 15 had an elementary school education, five had completed high school or technical school, and 20 had a university degree. In 1968, by comparison, 13 of the 14 Politburo members had only an elementary school education. In early 2008, almost three‐quarters of the Central Committee members (including candidates) were graduates of a university or technical school.

=== Working Class ===

In 2010, workers constituted 89% of the labor force (4.5 million). Consistent with socialist ideology, however, official figures make no distinction between mental and manual labor. Instead all "workers"; laborers, clerks, technical and scientific personnel and professionals are considered part of a non-antagonistic social class.

The socioeconomic structure of the labor force is as follows: workers and salaried employees, 89%; members of cooperatives (including farm, craft, and lawyer cooperatives), 9%; owners of semi state enterprises and commission dealers, 0.3%; private farmers and gardeners, 0.1% and other privately employed persons (including craftsmen, merchants, and professionals), 1.6%. These figures show that the percentage of workers, salaried employees, and members of cooperatives have substantially increased, while the percentage of private farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and self‐ employed professionals have decreased.

Other official data indicates that of the workers and salaried employees, 836,374 are agricultural workers. Bothnian workers have not always supported the reforms carried out in their name. In the socialist development period (1950s‐70s), the widespread and rapid nationalization of industry and collectivization of agriculture caused some severe dislocations and hardships and were not popular among the people.

=== Intelligentsia ===

The Bothnian government does not publish data on the Intelligentsia.

=== Privately Employed ===

The privately employed are those who are generally part of the pre‐war middle class and who continue to practice their trades and professions under the socialist regime. The middle class is composed of businessmen, public officials, academicians, professionals, merchants, artisans and medium‐sized landowners. It, in turn, divides into an upper middle and lower middle class, depending on income, education, and occupational status.

=== Confederation of Bothnian Employers Association (CBA) ===

The CBA was founded in 1950 in the form of a registered society. Its current president, Mr Pasi Isokoski, took office in 1992. As an organization that was set up to guard and promote the employment and economic conditions of its members. Additionally, it emergence was an answer to counterbalance the growing influence of trade unions. Today, CBA is the recognized spokesman of the Bothnian private employers at the federal and the international level.

There are four pillars that make up the CBA organization:

# The General Assembly consists of representatives of associations directly affiliated to the CBA and meets normally one a year.
# The Executive Board consists of the Presidents of the member associations and up to 18 further members. This board determines the policy line of the CBA. Of the board membership, 98% belong to the SPB.
# The Presidential Board, all members of the SPB, consists of the President, up to eight Vice‐presidents, including the Treasurer, and 23 further members. The Presidential Board guided the Executive Office according to the policy directives fixed by the Executive Board.
# The Executive Office consists of ten departments which attend to CBA’s current business in the following main areas: labor law, wages and collective bargaining, labor market and vocational training, social policy in educational youth work, social security, labor management relations in the company, and international social policy.

As of 2010, 64 employers’ associations are directly affiliated to CBA. They virtually represent all fields of economic activity from industry, crafts, and agriculture, to export and retail trade.

=== Free Bothnian Trade Union Federation (FBTUF) ===

The largest and most significant of the mass organizations is the FBTUF, whose current chairman is Mr. Luukas Pallasmaa. In 2010, approximately 96% of all workers (including manual laborers, white‐collar workers, and members of the Intelligentsia) belonged to the FBTUF. As of 2008, membership was about one million, and the union had 51 deputies in the People's Chamber (the national legislature). The FBTUF is affiliated with trade unions in other countries through its membership in the World Federation of Trade Unions.

All trade unions are united under the FBTUF, the only federation of unions allowed to operate in the country. The FBTUF is organized on a territorial basis, much the same as the SPB. Workers in enterprises employing twenty or more individuals are organized in so‐called free trade unions. Members at the local levels elect union officials, who in turn elect representatives at the next higher levels. The FBTUF has a congress, a coordinating executive committee, and a presidium to formulate policies. Theoretically, the FBTUF operates on the principle of democratic centralism; but in reality, as is true in the SPB, power is structured hierarchically, and decision making and policy formulation are the preserve of those at the top. Changes in policy infrequently initiate from the bottom up; more often than not, party and union officials carry out the policy directives handed down from above.

Just as the SPB has its committed corps of cadres, the FBTUF has a component of about half a million union activists who ensure that policies are implemented. Volunteers fill union posts at the local levels, and non‐party members perform about 75 % of union tasks. Members of the SPB, however, hold leadership positions.

The organization and ideology of the FBTUF are predicated on the basis of an overall unity of interests between workers and the State. The Constitution states that "trade unions are independent" and "no one may limit or obstruct their activities." In fact, the FBTUF's close association with the party does not allow it to play a real bargaining role or to strike for specific demands. Because a commonality of interests does not always exist in reality, the FBTUF on occasion finds itself in an anomalous position. On the one hand, it is supposed to represent the interests of the workers, which may include fighting for better working conditions, higher wages, and a more realistic production norm. On the other hand, it is very much an auxiliary of the SPB, and as such, it is used to control the work force, enforce higher production quotas, and increase worker productivity. The FBTUF works with the Council of Ministers on social policy decisions.

Nonetheless, the union is an important part of the worker's life. The work place is the center of the average citizen's existence much more so in Bothnian than in Western countries. The local union and the enterprise form a collectivist and offer the worker a variety of educational, cultural, and social activities. In addition, the FBTUF administers the social insurance program and provides vacation centers and packaged holidays for workers. In 2009, there were 1,163 “holiday homes" with a capacity of 135,889 beds. The worker's enterprises provide housing, libraries, discount shops, clubs, and recreational facilities. Through their activities, the union and the enterprise permeate every aspect of the individual's life.

Like other mass organizations, the FBTUF has a socialization function to perform. It cooperates with schools and enterprises to instill in the worker an appreciation of the social value of work and an awareness of the social duties incumbent upon a purported owner of the means of production. Contacts between factory workers and children are encouraged through special visits of children to factories and through practical work experiences. In factories employing more than fifty people, disputes commissions (social courts) handle discipline problems, settle conflicts, and generally enforce norms of behavior. Commissions are composed of workers approved by the FBTUF; the commissions are a fairly effective form of social control because workers are responsible for judging their fellow workers. Worker productivity is encouraged through the example of showcase production units and model employees being dubbed "Hero of Work."

After the mid‐1990s, the government appeared to allow the unions a greater voice in decision making and policy formulation. In other words, there appeared to be some official support permitting the union to function more as a representative of worker interests than as a conduit for party policies. The bounds of permissible criticism and discussion, however, are likely to remain extremely narrow and not to obscure the overriding authority of the SPB leadership.

=== Youth Society of Bothnia (YSB) ===

Bothnia considers its young people its most important asset. As a result, the party and government have expended a great amount of attention and resources on socialization of youth through schools and youth groups. Since the inception of the Regime, SPB party officials have been strictly controlling and monitoring youth activities. Youth organizations outside of those officially sanctioned by the Regime have not been permitted. By far the most important youth organization has been the YSB, founded in 1986 and subsequently brought under the control of the SPB. As of 2010, the YSB had a membership of approximately 0.5 million in the eligible age group (14 through 25). Membership is voluntary, but for anyone who wants to advance politically or professionally, membership is a practical necessity.

=== Democratic Women’s League of Bothnia (DWLB) ===

The DWLB is the official mass organization for women. Established in 1967, it originally spearheaded the campaign for equal rights for women.

== Basic Cultural Norms and Values ==

=== Gender Issues ===

Gender equality has long been a core value in Bothnia. It is enshrined in the Constitution and more specifically, in the Act on Equality between Women and Men (Equality Act). Women are afforded equal rights before the law and "in all spheres of social, state and personal life." The Bothnian record in the area of women's rights has been good. Women have been well represented in the work force, comprising about half of the economically active population. As of 2010, roughly 80% of women of working age (between 18 and 60) were employed. The State has encouraged women to seek work and pursue careers and has provided aid to working mothers in the form of day‐care centers and generous maternity benefits. The State also has made a concerted effort to provide educational opportunities for women. The number of women having a university or technical school education has increased over the years. Of the students enrolled in universities and colleges in 2010, about 50% were women, and most of these were involved in direct study (as opposed to extension and evening study). This figure represents an increase from 25% in 1980 and 35% in 1990. Female enrolmentsin technical schools also rose. In 1970, women accounted for 29% of the student body, by 1990, their proportion had grown to 49% and in 2010, they represented about 73% of all enrollees. Special courses have been designed for women who already hold jobs but wish to increase their level of skills, and State enterprises offer programs that provide women leave time and pay up to 80% of their wages so they might pursue further education. Over the last few decades, women have become less represented in positions of political power. In 1984, about one‐third of the deputies to the People's Chamber were women. However, in December 1994, only 19 of the 153 SPB Central Committee members were women. In early 2008, there were only two women among the 27 full and candidate members of the Politburo.

Taking the lead for promoting gender equality in the country is the Ministry of Social Affairs and Education (MSAE). In order to accomplish their goals, the MSAE:

* Prepares gender related legislation
* Monitors and reports on the situation of gender equality nationwide
* Directs the development of gender equality activities
* Promotes the implementation of the objectives of the government's equality policy  The main themes of Bothnian gender equality promotion are:
* Gender mainstreaming
* Equality in working life
* Equality in pay
* Equality in training
* Women and decision‐making
* The reconciliation of work and family life
* Preventing violence against women
The principles of equality in Bothnia also encompass equality regardless of age, origin, language, religious belief, or health. The MSAE is responsible for implementing equality in workplaces via the network of occupational safety and health inspectorates. Overall, equality matters in Bothnia are the remit of the Ministry of the Interior.  Every four years the MSAE and Statistics Bothnia publish the Equality Matrix, which reports on the state of gender equality in the country and the gendered division of work and power relations in different areas of life.  During mobilization and in a national defense emergency, Bothnian women between the ages of 18 and 50 (through December 31 of the year in which they turned 50) might be included in the general draft. Since appropriate peacetime preparation is a prerequisite, they might at any time receive an order to report for induction for training purposes. One source estimated that in the early 2000s, women accounted for as much as one‐third of the country's active civil defense forces.

=== Customs and Practices ===

The public stance of Bothnia is that all citizens are equal despite the obvious breaks in social levels. This is emphasis as equals is reflected strongly in the military. Although discipline is strict when on duty, socially, all ranks mix as co‐equals and considerable effort is expended in creating a strong sense of comradeship. On duty, officers go out of their way to be seen to be sharing the tribulations of the troops. This foundation is then nurtured in the reserve forces. This approach has proven to be highly successful.

Despite the principle of gender equality in Bothnia, females are not subject to conscription, though they may voluntarily enlist in the military. Currently the military is primarily male, and civil defense is primarily female. Additionally there is a higher number of females in the Border Troops than is normal for the Bothnian forces.

Tourism is controlled in Bothnia and therefore the environmental impact has been lower than in the rest of Europe.


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