Norwegian poltics, part 2



Politics among the people
Norway is invariably among the top three countries in which to live, a well-known fact that blows Norwegians' already inflated ego into gargantuan proportions. Norway is also the second best democratic country in the world as far as BNP per capita is concerned, after Luxembourg. Needless to say, Norwegians complain copiously about their situation.


Political discussions, using the term widely, are as a rule simplified into crude generalizations such as "yes" or "no", and most discussions are free of bothersome facts. An example of this is one of the favourite topics in Norwegian political discussion, the Israel/Palestine discussion. It is always discussed as a matter between these two parties, without the complicating factors of Lebanon, Syria, USA, EU, UN, Iran, Saudi-Arabia, Jordan or the many international organizations, terrorist or otherwise. Furthermore, all Israelis are reduced to "representatives shining becon of democratic light/supporters of a Super-Fascist Dictatorship" while all Palestinians are "baby-killing terrorists/Freedom fighters". Admitting nuances in Norway is as good as admitting defeat.

This static mentality makes most Norwegian political debates a shouting contest. Miraculously, Norwegian political debate is only average in the popular practise of ad hominem attacks. The topic for discussion, however, is another matter. Norwegians' love for black and white makes for many grim scenarios if their political opposition gains the governmental reins.

Having looked at how Norwegians debate, it's time to look at what they debate. Here is a run-through of the most popular political issues:
- The Elderly: The general concensus is that the elderly are treated appallingly, and that something must be done. What to be done is immaterial, as long as it happens. Generally by spending more money, letting the private sector take over or both(!).

- Schools: Norwegians care little for education, but they care about having better schools. There are two alternative suggestions, either to increase demands on what it takes to be a teacher or to give teachers a higher income. Few, if any, believe both factors to be a good idea. That would be rewarding effort.

- Nurseries/Kindergartens: There are few of these, and more have to be built. Rather than doing so, all parties agrue that the other parties are not doing it. Norwegians fail to understand the subtlety involved with actually building more nurseries and hiring more staff, and are as a result angry with politicians for what they see as inactivity and laziness, but what a skilled politician would call "correct procedure".

- Immigration: People from areas with few or no immigrants fear immigrants. People from places which actually do have immigrants are more diverse. Most targeted are the Pakistani, even though they make a relatively modest contribution to the number of first generation immigrants (they're number six), and unlike all other immigrant groups of note, they give birth to and bring up their children in Norway. Pakistani also make a good effort in learning Norwegian, unlike Swedes, who hardly speak a word of it.