Five Americans Living in Social Democratic Norway Explain Why Bernie Sanders
Is So Appealing
We had to live in such a society before we could believe that it was
possible. Here's what we discovered.
byJennifer Goff, Erika Gubrium, Jeff Lugowe, Tony Martel, Kevin McGuiness
"Americans often explain their political choices by drawing on concrete life
experiencesits also the same with us," write the five authors, all
American now living in Norway. "Notably, the years weve lived in Norway
have provided us with visceral proof of the type of society its possible to
create together and the time it may take for these possibilities to feel
real." (Photo: visitnorway.com)
We are five Americans living in social democratic Norway. We think that our
experiences provide a unique perspective as to why it is that so many
Americans so strongly support the reforms called for by the platform of Sen.
Bernie Sanders. Our time in Norway also helps to explain why it is so
challenging for many Americans to imagine Sanders proposals in concrete
terms. We draw from our dual reality of living in Norway while looking
overwith critical eyesat whats going on in the United States.
"As Americans living in Norway, we have profoundly experienced what policies
like universal health care, parental leave, free higher education, the right
to vacation and sick pay mean for our lives. To experience the everyday
effect of these policies has strengthened our political convictions."
The five of us moved from all corners of the U.S .to Norway, for different
reasons. Despite these differences, weve all come to the conclusion that
the Sanders campaign provides necessary answers to challenges that the U.S.
faces. The five of us are constantly reminded of the many ways in which our
lives in Norway stand in stark contrast to the lives of our friends and
family back home. Americans often explain their political choices by drawing
on concrete life experiencesits also the same with us. Notably, the years
weve lived in Norway have provided us with visceral proof of the type of
society its possible to create together and the time it may take for these
possibilities to feel real.
Everyday social democracy: Three stories
Erika: When I lived in the U.S., I was deeply engaged in movements for
universal healthcare, and for workers and womens rights. Nonetheless, I
didnt truly understand the impact of the rights I was championing until I
first moved to Norway. When I arrived, I was five months pregnant with my
first child and I was excited about the prospect of a new life in a land
with generous public provisions. At the same time, I was scared and unsure,
mostly because I couldnt fathom a system where I could be seen by a doctor,
right way, without significant paperwork or cost to me or my partner. With
my first pregnancy check-up in Norway a week after arrival, I experienced
firsthand my new reality. It felt strange and incredible to have access to
these services, with no questions asked.
I had a difficult childbirth and was completely exhausted for several weeks
after my son was born. At the time, I was enrolled in a demanding masters
program, for free! My twin sister, living in the US, gave birth to twin
daughters in that same time period. She had felt the pressure to begin to
work again almost right away and based on everything I knew, it never
occurred to me that I shouldnt do the same. I took 10 days off after the
birth and slogged my way through the snow to go to my classes, leaving my
sons Norwegian father to use his parental leave and stay home with our son.
I remember feeling proud of my strong work ethic when I completed my
studies, but also feeling exhaustedboth mentally and emotionally.
Two years later, I gave birth to my second child. In the years that had
passed since the first, Id continually seen Norwegian friends and
colleagues taking 8 months to a years parental leavepaid leave from their
jobs, from their studies, from all parts of life outside of caring for a
newborn. This time, there was no doubt in my mind that I would do the same.
With a huge feeling of relief, I took the weeks I needed before the birth
and I took the months after. Although my politics had been far to the left
when I lived in the US, it was only first after Id lived some years in
Norway that I actually felt I deserved to receive universal health care and
paid parental leave. It was only then that I understood the everyday,
emotional impact of what it was to have that right.
Jen: In recent years, I have been genuinely surprised upon learning that
neither my sister nor my cousin, despite both having higher degrees and
full-time positions, were not receiving paid vacation or sick leave from
work. This past Christmas, my uncle, past age 70 and in poor health, left me
equally thrown when he told me he wasnt retiring because he simply
couldnt afford to. And yet, well beyond hearing these everyday realities,
the thing that surprises me most is my family members responding to my shock
with mild amusement and telling me that Ive simply been in Norway too
long.
Are they right? Have I been in Norway so long that I no longer understand
the everyday realities of the American worker? When did it happen that I
could no longer imagine the type of work life they talk about? Ive always
had a good work ethic and Ive understood that you have to work hard to earn
money. But after so many years in Norway, the lack of work/life balance in
the U.S. experience has started to feel almost inhumane.
This new personal understanding happened a few years ago, at a point when my
husband and doctor became so worried about the pressure I felt from work
that they convinced me to take a bit of time away. When they called it sick
leave I remember feeling strongly that I didnt fit in this category. My
experience from the U.S. had been that it was only those with serious
illnesses or life problems who took sick leave. Nonetheless, they convinced
me to take the break I so desperately needed. I was paid during my leave, so
I did everything I could to make the most out of what felt like an
undeserved opportunity. I went on hikes, I read and wrote, and I met
regularly with my doctor and psychologist. I was away from work for two
months and the experience changed my life. I felt healthier and more
focused, both at work and in my personal life. It was the first time I
understood the significance of Norwegian sick leave policies. Taking sick
leave and taking stock is not a rare thing in Norway. The policy reflects a
holistic view of what it means to work. It recognizes that when an
employees health isnt good, they are less effective during the work day.
Its therefore a no-brainer that the employer meets the employee where
theyre at.
Tony: I grew up in Vermont. I say that because Bernie Sanders has really
formed the way I think, even if I havent always been as conscious of this
as I am now. But while I grew up with Bernie, it wasnt until I came to
Norway that I fully understood the significance of the ideas he stands for.
In the U.S., market liberalism is just what... is. As a Bachelors student
in Political Science at the University of Vermont, I was surrounded by this
perspective. My goal was to have a good-paying career, even if I wasnt
happy or interested in what I was doing. And I wasnt alonemany students in
the U.S. struggle with this expectation.
"Only Bernie Sanders has taken seriously the aim of building a more just,
less brutal societyand this is reflected in the growth of the movement
behind him. It's here that the power of the Sanders campaign liesit speaks
to regular people who want an easier everyday and a better chance to live
good, secure lives."
I moved to Norway in fall 2016 because, with its free higher education, it
was my only economically feasible chance of accessing a Masters degree in
International Relations. In my first few years in Norway I was introduced to
Marxist philosophy, which I had never seen in four years with my previous
higher education. But even more important than new theoretical perspectives,
was that despite the fact that I was living on a student budget in Norway, I
nonetheless experienced a quality of life that was equivalent to my
privileged peers in the U.S.those who had much more money than me. It was a
new and strange experience to not worry about each and every financial
decision I made. I realized that there were a breadth of political realities
around the world and that the one in the U.S. is rather...unique. My
experiences in Norway convinced me to shift from being a completely normal
American liberal to locating myself much further left, politically.
Grassroots social reform takes time
As Americans living in Norway, we have profoundly experienced what policies
like universal health care, parental leave, free higher education, the right
to vacation and sick pay mean for our lives. To experience the everyday
effect of these policies has strengthened our political convictions. Of the
Democratic candidates, only Bernie Sanders has taken seriously the aim of
building a more just, less brutal societyand this is reflected in the
growth of the movement behind him. Its here that the power of the Sanders
campaign liesit speaks to regular people who want an easier everyday and a
better chance to live good, secure lives. Nonetheless, without everyday,
real life experience with comprehensive state support, it is not difficult
for us to imagine how these reforms feel like a move outside the comfort
zone for many Americans. Such a shift requires more than a short lived
electoral campaign. Its not coincidental that the Sanders campaign
resembles more of a grassroots movement. For us, just as for many in the
U.S. who are knocking on doors, phoning people they dont know and
contributing in other ways, theres more at stake than winning a primary
election against Joe Biden. Its about creating a broad movement of people
who can create the sense that reform is both possible and results in a
better way of life. From experience, we can say that the process takes
timebut its worth it.
Jennifer Goff works with marginalized groups near Oslo, including
populations with chemical dependancy and mental health issues, as well as
refugees.
Erika Gubrium is a university professor in Oslo. Before moving to Norway in
2008, she worked as a national organizer in an advocacy organization for
academics.
Jeff Lugowe works in higher education communications. He has lived in Oslo
since graduating from college in the US in 2007.
Tony Martel works at Linnestad Farm in Ås outside of Oslo and holds a
master's degree in International Relations from the Norwegian University of
Life Sciences.
Kevin McGuiness works in academic administration and is a board member of
the Socialist Left party chapter in Bærum outside of Oslo.
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