Eric Dregni leaves out a few very important matters regarding society in Norway, Italy, and the U.S. I also lived and worked in Norway and Italy in the 1980s and early 1990s. Hugh oil revenue to the state underpins the wealth of Norway. I was part of the effort to find and produce this oil and the Norwegians enjoy world leadership in oil production technology. But, more importantly, Eric fails to note the low population and homogenous nature of society in Norway. It is easy to create a welfare state with both high revenue and few social and ethnic divisions. In the U.S. and Italy, the complex historic divisions create different needs. Some regions and ethnic groups seek to maximize opportunity, and others seek minimal contributions and accept corruption as part of life. This is sad for the U.S. and Italy, as Norway is a better society. But it is better because, even before the oil wealth and welfare state, the ethnic divisions and social strife were eliminated in Norwegian ethnic development. There are dark chapters in Viking conquest and Eric glossed over them. He failed to note that the Netherlands and Norway have been occupied countries and, as a result, favor a strong, aggressive NATO. Peaceniks were not welcome in the 1980s when the U.S. upped the stakes. Libya is like Norway. Few tribes, lots of oil money, a strong welfare state, and low crime. Why not write about Libya? Ask Eric why environmentalists are so low-key in the high-impact oil and gas industry. The state of Norway needs the money more than it desires a pristine environment. That is the benefit of top-down-driven social welfare. Money first, then the environment.
Larry Sullivan
Roseville
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