Two-thirds of the nation believe corruption is a major problem in Icelandic politics

A survey conducted by MMR for the Socialist Party of Iceland (Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands) reveals that 30% of the nation consider corruption to be a very significant problem in Icelandic politics, and 32% believe it is a rather significant problem. Only 3% of the nation consider corruption to be a very minor or no problem in politics, and 11% a rather minor problem. 22% are mixed.

If we compare the 62% who believe that corruption is a major problem in Icelandic politics with the 14% who consider corruption to be a minor problem, it is clear that there is a prevailing idea among the public that politics is corrupt. So prevalent that democracy is endangered by corruption and public distrust of politics.

There is little difference in the attitudes of the sexes, although women are slightly more certain that corruption is a problem. The same can be said for age. In all age groups, a large majority believes that corruption is a problem, but slightly less so with increasing age. There is also little difference between rural areas and the capital, but people in rural areas are somewhat more certain that corruption is a problem in Icelandic politics.

Even top officials say corruption is a major problem

A somewhat greater difference can be observed based on education. The less education, the more certain people are that corruption is a problem, but this applies to a good majority in all education groups.

And a similar story can be told about professions; the majority in all professions finds corruption to be a problem, but that majority is slightly smaller among managers and specialists than among homemakers, laborers, and students. It is striking that among managers and top officials, 30% say that corruption is a very significant problem in Icelandic politics, and 28% say it is a rather significant problem. People at the top know this and often experience it firsthand.

A similar trend is also seen among income groups. Everywhere, the majority believes that corruption is a problem, but that majority is larger among the lowest-income earners than others.

These three points – that the majority is smaller among the better-paid, among the higher-ranking, and among those with longer schooling – primarily indicate that the higher people climb the career ladder or the pay scale, the more normal society seems to them, primarily because it is more adapted to their demands and needs. Those lower in the pecking order experience themselves in a society governed by distant and alien interests.

But although a certain tendency in this direction can be observed, it is actually more accurate to say that there is a widespread general opinion that corruption is a problem in Iceland.

Independence Party members are a special tribe

And then we come to political views. In this survey, as in so many others, members of the Independence Party (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn) stand out from others. While 62% of the nation say that corruption is a rather significant or very significant problem in Iceland, this applies to only 22% of Independence Party members. And while only 14% of the nation say that corruption is very minor or rather minor in politics, this applies to a full 40% of Independence Party members.

If we exclude Independence Party members and look at the followers of all other parties, 6% of Independence Party voters say that there is very significant corruption in Icelandic politics, compared to 35% of voters for all other parties. 22% of Independence Party members say that there is rather significant or very significant corruption in Iceland, compared to 72% of followers of other parties.

And from the other side: 40% of Independence Party members say that corruption is a very minor or rather minor problem in Icelandic politics, compared to only 8% of followers of other parties.

Independence Party members are like a special tribe when it comes to attitudes towards most social issues, clearly distinguishing themselves from the vast majority of the nation. And what is so strange is that often it is the stance of Independence Party members that dictates the course in Iceland.

This is the parties' stance

If we categorize the parties by whether people consider corruption to be a very significant problem in Icelandic politics, the order is as follows:

1. Socialist Party: 74%
2. People's Party: 52%
3. Pirates: 50%
4. Centre Party: 48%
5. Social Democratic Alliance: 29%
6. Reform Party: 21%
7. Progressive Party: 18%
8. Left-Green Movement: 16%
9. Independence Party: 6%

If we add together those who say that corruption is a rather significant and very significant problem, the list is as follows:

1. Pirates: 94%
2. Socialist Party: 92%
3. People's Party: 79%
4. Social Democratic Alliance: 76%
5. Centre Party: 71%
6. Reform Party: 62%
7. Left-Green Movement: 59%
8. Progressive Party: 53%
9. Independence Party: 22%

And if we look at the other end, this is the percentage of party followers who believe that corruption is a very minor or rather minor problem:

1. Independence Party: 40%
2. Progressive Party: 21%
3. Left-Green Movement: 12%
4. Social Democratic Alliance: 8%
5. Reform Party: 8%
6. Centre Party: 6%
7. People's Party: 4%
8. Pirates: 1%
9. Socialist Party: 0%

The Socialist Party has presented an offer to voters regarding anti-corruption measures and how to address the root causes of the problem. See here:Let's tackle the roots of corruption