säätyttömyys

Säätyttömyys refers to a concept in Finnish sociology and history relating to the breakdown or erosion of the traditional class system, or "sääty-yhteiskunta," in Finland. Historically, Finnish society was structured into distinct estates or classes, such as the nobility, clergy, bourgeoisie, and peasants. These estates had different rights, privileges, and social roles.

The process of säätyttömyys signifies a gradual shift away from this rigid, legally defined estate system towards a more fluid and less hierarchical social structure. This transformation was driven by several factors, including industrialization, urbanization, increased literacy and education, and the rise of a market economy. As these societal changes took hold, the traditional boundaries between estates began to blur, and social mobility became more possible.

While the formal estate system was abolished in Finland, the concept of säätyttömyys acknowledges that social stratification and inequalities persisted. It highlights the complex and often incomplete nature of social change, where formal legal structures might disappear while underlying social distinctions and power dynamics continue to evolve. The term is useful for understanding the transition of Finnish society from a pre-modern, estate-based order to a more modern, class-based or even post-class society.