A Call for Real Security
When Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre delivered his New Year’s address, one word echoed throughout: security. This theme has also dominated the political landscape, marking a crucial focal point in the election campaign. In these tumultuous times, Norwegians are yearning for a country that feels safe, a landscape where the state stands resolute and the community rallies together.
Yet, therein lies the contradiction. As the Prime Minister reiterates the importance of security, many citizens are experiencing a starkly different reality.
Crime rates are climbing, particularly in our largest cities. Shootings, robberies, and gang violence have transformed from isolated incidents into regular headlines. When police leaders in the capital openly confess that the situation is spiraling out of control, the vision of a stable Norway painted by our Prime Minister feels increasingly tenuous.
True safety cannot simply be proclaimed—it must be felt. When individuals begin altering their routines, avoiding certain neighborhoods, or hastily collecting their children, it sends a powerful political message. This is far more than merely a communication issue; it’s a clarion call for change.
Another disconcerting aspect of the Prime Minister’s speech revolves around defense and preparedness. We are urged to present a united front, willing to make sacrifices and stand ready in the face of a precarious global landscape. But how enthusiastic can we be in defending a society many perceive as growing more fractured, unjust, and hazardous? A willingness to defend is inherently tied to trust—the belief that our state can maintain control both at home and abroad. Yet, when citizens hear of police forces, courts, and prisons stretched beyond their limits, that trust begins to erode.
In the realm of security policy, Russia is frequently portrayed as the looming existential threat. Interestingly, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly asserted that Russia does not intend to launch a direct attack on NATO or Europe. While one must remain cautious about taking political rhetoric at face value, these assertions cannot simply be tossed aside. It prompts an essential inquiry: Is our fear of war grounded in genuine threat, or is it being wielded as a political instrument to galvanize loyalty in a time of broader societal disarray?
Alongside these security concerns, households are feeling the financial squeeze. High inflation is often presented as a natural occurrence, a storm over which we have no control. Yet, inflation is also a product of political decisions—reflecting spending habits, interest rate priorities, and energy policies. As real wages dwindle, savings accounts deplete, and disparities widen, many perceive a quiet redistribution of wealth from everyday workers to the state and those who own capital. This sense of economic injustice further erodes our feeling of security.
What, then, is the Norway we are being asked to defend?
At its core, the paradox lies in this: authorities are calling upon citizens to champion a vision of Norway that increasingly feels less secure, less equitable, and less predictable.
The reality is, security cannot be distilled into rhetoric delivered in a New Year’s address. It demands the construction of coherent policies—effective crime control, a robust rule of law, social cohesion, economic stability, and transparent communication regarding risks and priorities.
Without these foundations, security remains little more than an empty word. And in a world awash with uncertainty, a society cannot be defended by words alone.