The debate post expresses the writer’s opinions.
In 1913, the author Nils Kjær wrote the comedy «The happy choice». The play is a satire on politicians and political issues. If Kjær had lived today, he could, after the appointment of Jens Stoltenberg as the new central bank governor, have written a new piece.
Whether he had made a tragedy “The Unhappy Choice” or a new comedy “The Happy Choice II” is hard to say. But anyway, Kjær had had a rich source material for both pieces.
“What are you thinking now?”
Usually, a person who gets a new and important job will flourish like a poinsettia, and shine with pride. Despite the name, Jens Stoltenberg did not flourish much at the press conference immediately after his appointment.
In fact, he looked more and more sad, and his whole usually so charming being was gone. Not one of his funny remarks, not one of his friendly and warm smile. I would like to ask him the question: “What are you thinking now?”
Also read: Jens Stoltenberg is hired after a messy process, against the will of the parliamentary majority
Virtually all questions at the press conference were of a critical nature. The opposition rattles with the sabers and demands everything from investigation to that one will wait to see.
If one is to try as an outsider to look objectively at this process, one quickly concludes that there were two good candidates who are both able to manage monetary policy and oil funds in a good way. Stoltenberg’s long experience, his background as a social economist (now: social economist) and his leadership qualities were highlighted as important reasons for the election.
Or as it was said by the Minister of Finance in the usual, foggy language of politicians: “After a good process and a comprehensive assessment, the choice fell on Stoltenberg”. Had Ida Wolden Backe been elected, Vedum would certainly have said exactly the same thing.
One of us
In many ways, it could seem that Ida Wolden Bache was tailor-made for the job. She is very well educated, has long experience, is a woman and not least: She has the advantage that every leader in a company or organization always goes and dreams of when they recruit; she is one of us.
Hiring competent leaders from your own ranks is the safest choice you can make. They know the organization, are quickly operational, at the same time as it gives an important signal from the organization that it succeeds in breeding its own leaders.
In addition, the election of Ida Wolden Bache would probably have been applauded by the opposition and “most people”. But forget all you have learned about managerial recruitment when it comes to many government jobs. In such processes, a strongly disruptive element comes in and it is called politics.
Now, fortunately, it is not as bad in this country as when American presidents appoint their rich, money-supporting friends as ambassadors around the world. There is an elite that occupies most positions.
Neither Trump, Obama, Bush nor Biden have heard of “most people”. With that, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum. In fact, it may seem that this is the group he is most concerned with, while he detests the elite. Som Vedum said to the Class Struggle once, very, very long ago in the world of politics, that is, the year 2020:
– The elite has its own logic. It’s like there’s one set of rules if you’re in the right circles, have the right friends, power and money, and another for ordinary people.
But as Vedum now says, a comprehensive assessment has been made and Stoltenberg came out best.
The elitist system
Let’s take a small premise. We say that the civil service in the Ministry of Finance consists of “most people”. These are known for their skill and integrity. There is consensus on that.
Also read: Can one back into the future?
But if we take a closer look at Jens’ “friend”, we immediately leave the social group “most people” at levels three and four in society and enter level 1: the elite.
The elite are the people, according to Rødt’s newly made-up party program, whom they probably do not want to massacre, but at least relocate when the revolution comes. But it must be a democratic revolution undertaken by the Storting. In many ways as it is today, with parliamentary votes where the majority wins.
The question the Minister of Finance should now ask himself: Have I left what I said in 2020 about the elite?
My answer to the question is simple: Yes, Vedum itself has become part of the elitist system. And that’s all right, because that’s the way it is in Norway and all other countries. It is naive to believe otherwise. What upsets “most people” is that Vedum says one thing, but in practice does completely different things.
It tends to punish itself.
For Jens’ new “friends”, this was a sad day
We have a new central bank governor. He is probably now sitting in Brussels thinking about all the criticism that is possibly even stronger than he expected.
Vedum has had a new, hard day at work. A day where another choice had made the Friday pilsner taste better. But then there was this overall assessment.
So what are we “most people” going to think about this weekend? Jens Stoltenberg will be a skilled central bank governor. The appointment has been as messy as it probably would have been with a bourgeois government. But the most worrying thing about the whole thing is that NATO is losing a very capable Secretary General.
For Jens’ new “friends”, this was a sad day. Boris, Joe, Pierre and Olaf all wanted Jens to continue. Vladimir was probably relieved as he sat pondering his warlike thoughts over the vodka. But Jens wants to go home.
Read more from the Norwegian debate
Let us now just hope that the noise goes away quickly so that the elite can once again do what they are supposed to do: Create a good life for “most people”. But unfortunately, Debatten, Dagsnytt 18 and investigations will keep the circus alive for many weeks to come.
The author Nils Kjær could really have romped in this case with elements such as dinners, walks, party member, Secretary General of NATO, Brundtlandslekta and besties with the Prime Minister. But I think Kjær would have contented himself with only one version of “The happy choice”. He would probably rather have grabbed the pen, put on the song for The Who and written the piece “Who’s next”?
–
