As we discussed last night in International, Scandinavian values are a bit different from ours. Specifically, there's a very strong sense that nobody should be in need. The result -- a social safety net that includes free education, health care, etc [this is the article Ashley was referring to]
This is, in part, financed from Norway's oil revenues (they're the world's 3d largest exporter of oil), but you'll find the same philosophy and similar programs in the rest of Scandinavia. As we discussed last night, this is different. Not better, not worse, just different. Remember that this social welfare system is funded by tax revenues, and Norwegian tax rates are very high.
The election.
Centre-Left Bloc Wins Norway Poll
The right-center party, under Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, lost to the left-center Labor Party, led by Jens Stoltenberg. It wasn't an issue of safety-net vs. no safety-net, just how far the social welfare system should go
In the news coverage, pay attention to the references to "blocs" -- specifically, neither Labor nor the Christian People's Pary can form a government unless they form a coalition with one or more minority parties.
One factor that didn't come into the elections was EU membership; Norwegian voters have rejected membership, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of sentiment for joining. In fact, Norway gets a lot of the benefits of EU membership (more on that in a couple of weeks), withough having to give up control over fishing rights. A 2004 article from The Economist, though, sees the matter somewhat differently:
The Norwegian Option
Your thoughts?
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2 comments:
I reviewed the Norwegian Option article, and although there are some disadvantages of not being apart of the EU, it seems that both Norway and Switzerland are doing pretty good on there own. Both countries are rich and have the highest income per person than any other European country. In my opinion, as long as they continue to be successful while independent, I see no reason to join the EU anytime soon.
As the saying goes, if it isn’t broke don’t fix it!
Tonya Houston
International Business 420
Exactly. I think that seems to be the Norweigian opinion; the costs associated with EU membership are grteater than the benefits. Note, too, that Scandianvia has generally been a tad reluctant to get involved in the EU. For example, Sweden (who didn't even join until 1995) and Denmark haven't adopted the euro, nor are they likely to.
Let's not forget to discuss this when we get to the EU in class, ok.
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