Self-improvement is a human and universal need but individuals’ starting points and capabilities to implement it differ. Iina Järvinen, Master of Administrative Sciences, studied in her doctoral dissertation the content and significance of the right to self-improvement, especially from poor’s’ point of view.
“The topic has not previously been examined in Finnish legal research. Knowing the content and importance of the rights are prerequisites for their implementation,” Järvinen explains her research.
The right to self-development can encompass a wide range of activities, from making TikTok videos to taking a Tai Chi course. However, self-improvement is not only about doing things; it is also about developing on a mental level and developing as a person.
“This brings to light the fact that self-improvement is linked to basic human needs and a good life. When such fundamental issues are at stake, it is of particular interest to what justice looks like for the poor,” Järvinen continues.
The results show that poor’s’ right to self-improvement is implemented in legislation in a fragmented and insufficient way. Financial difficulties have a harmful effect on the opportunities for self-improvement, but this has not been addressed in a significant way by legislative means.
According to Järvinen, it can even be said that the legislator has failed to recognise the right to self-improvement and guarantee it for the poor.
“Actually, this nothing new in itself. The results of the study settle on the historical continuum where inequality has been written into civilisation,” she says.
According to the dissertation, the realisation of the right to self-improvement requires both adequate services of self-improvement and sufficient social security. As the challenges are related to legislation, collisions of values and ever-changing reality, solutions require the recognition of multidimensionality as the challenges.
Nevertheless, Järvinen has a hopeful attitude. The doctoral research gives a multi-level content to the right to self-improvement and increases understanding of the significance of the right for the poor. At the same time, the research demonstrates strong justification for the public authorities to combat poverty and to create equality in the field of self-improvement.
Public defence on Friday 1 September
The doctoral dissertation of M.Sc. (Admin.) Iina Järvinen in the field of public law titled Self-Improvement in Poverty will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Management and Business at Tampere University at 12 on Friday 1 September 2023 on the city centre campus, Pinni A building, Paavo Koli auditorium (Kanslerinrinne 1, Tampere). The Opponent will be Professor Toomas Kotkas, University of Helsinki. The Custos will be Tenure Track Professor Anu Mutanen, Tampere University.
The dissertation is available online.
The public defence (in Finnish) can be followed via remote connection.
Photo: Kari Telaranta
Twitter: @iinannika