Progress Party Leader Siv Jensen on Norway's Myths and Realities

In a country of exceptionally high rates of personal taxation and home to one of the world's most generous welfare states, Norway's Progress Party, which describes itself as a "classical liberal" organization committed to "personal freedom," is something of an anomaly. But it is an increasingly powerful anomaly, now ranking as the country's second biggest political party.

In August, Progress Party leader Siv Jensen sat down with Reason senior editor Michael C. Moynihan and explained that Norwegians are growing tired of "regulation, bureaucracy, and high taxes" and why the Scandinavian health care model is bad for America—and Scandinavia.

Approximately 5 minutes.

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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• siv jensen
• norway's progress party
• norwegian politics
• michael moynihan
• michael c. moynihan
• reason.tv
• reasontv
• reason magazine
• scandinavian policitics
• taxes

[AbbeyNO]

Interview both sides of argument. Reasonable people laugh at the Progress Party.

[mbqueseth]

Really? Not everyone is the average? Didn't know. I'm pro lower tax and small government, but I'm also able to see how average income in a country with very little poverty is a reasonable measure for seeing if prices are too high or too low. Other countries around Europe have not only higher gas prices than us compared to average income, but a higher percentage of the price goes to the government in gas taxes. You're obviously wrong, but dogmatism lives on, through the incoherent Progress Party.

[whedonfreak976]

@nettiegracedenn Reason TV is a right wing bought off corporate ass kisser of a network, and bull shit, go to fringeelements page, or raymond dundas, disagree with them, and they block you, not for being a troll, but for disagreeing with them. Some libertarians are good yes, and want to debate but Ron Paul fans are the worst, they tell people to shut up, and shut their page down, they sure as hell are not for freedom of speech,

[nettiegracedenn]

@LucidCatnap As opposed to socialist and liberal media outlets that present the voice of dissent an unobstructed and uncriticized voice? Most libertarians are very eager and willing to debate socialists, liberals, and conservatives. Reason has given friendly interviews to those who do not align with libertarianism when it has been an issue of common concern.

[Lenblogus]

We do have private hospitals in Norway but they are way expensive! Do not believe everything a politician tells you...

[RectumPilum]

I can't keep from believing she's a fascist...

[LucidCatnap]

By only interviewing people who happen to somewhat align with the political beliefs of this channel only reinforces the idea that the political philosophy you embrace is somehow ''the right one''. It adds nothing to an actual debate without recognizing points made by the opposite side. It is misleading and directly contrary to the movement which liberal philosophy was founded on - the Enlightenment - a movement the Progress Party has never embraced with regards to its policies.

[LucidCatnap]

The irony of ''Reason'' TV interviewing this unreasonable woman. It is remarkable how many self-proclaimed 'objectivists' refuse to present arguments from both sides of the issue. Most educated people in Norway (the Progress Party draws the majority of its votes from a conservative immigration policy, and among the most uneducated) would be able to come with several arguments countering the points she brought up. (1/2)

[Heimegut66]

@Terje1337 Than they should say that we have a small population and not a small country.

[Terje1337]

@Heimegut66 Jesus! When people say Norawy is a small country they dont mean in size, but population.

Dont be stupid on purpose, It's ridicilous.

[Heimegut66]

@Terje1337 That does not mean that we are a small country. England and Germany are both smaller than Norway, but they have more people.

[Terje1337]

@Heimegut66 We have less than 5 million people... shut up.