In order for democracy to function optimally, it is required: That we actually dare to express ourselves. That we actively participate in society. That we exercise our right to vote. It is a threat to democracy if many do not dare to get involved, or do not want to participate in the public debate. Illustration: ALEXANDER SLOTTEN / news – Putting democracy into practice means caring about something that is important to you, but which is also bigger than yourself, says Dina von Heimburg, associate professor at the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences at NTNU . Democracy therefore often starts where we live our everyday lives, she explains. Von Heimburg believes it is important to remember that democracy is much more than just voting. Photo: NTNU Here are some things you can do to ensure that our democracy functions optimally. Contribute to an open debate and broad freedom of expression More than 40 per cent of young people between the ages of 19 and 39 are afraid to say what they think for fear of reactions from others, according to a survey carried out by news earlier this year. This is dangerous for democracy. And it is up to each of us to change this. – You have to recognize that people have different opinions, you have to be curious, says Von Heimburg. – You can become wiser together by being curious about other points of view, other solutions and attitudes. She believes we must be more empathetic and more curious. We tend to talk mostly to those who are similar to ourselves, in echo chambers. And when we talk to people we disagree with, it often just turns into an argument. – You have to listen to understand and not listen to answer, she advises. We all have a responsibility to ensure that the public debate is open, says the expert. Illustration: ALEXANDER SLOTTEN / news – A well-functioning democracy is a democracy with open debate, says Dag Einar Thorsen, associate professor at the Department of Industrial Economics, Strategy and Political Science at the University College in South-Eastern Norway. – And we have to work for that. To keep the debate open, he says. Thorsen explains that there are many topics that can be sensitive. Like how to look at immigration, or the debate about gender diversity. You have to work to keep the debate open and free. Illustration: ALEXANDER SLOTTEN / news – It is not a given that freedom of expression is particularly broad, and it is not a given that the debate is particularly open in a democracy, he says. How you react when you hear opinions you don’t agree with can have a lot to say about whether we get an open debate or not. If you are met with sanctions, threats or the like, you may want to stop speaking out completely. – It is about trying to limit expressions that make others reluctant to participate in the debate, he says. When the debate climate becomes too harsh, many people do not dare to participate. This is dangerous for democracy, the expert explains. Illustration: ALEXANDER SLOTTEN / news If statements are met with threats, violence or harassment, it can affect what emerges in the public debate. – It is a battle with ourselves to work so that as many people as possible can have their say and are not excluded. Such a debating climate can also mean that many choose not to become politicians, or to get involved in politics. This is dangerous for democracy. – There is a great danger in our time that young politicians are met in comment fields and on social media in a way that means that it can become too much for many, and many cancel their political involvement because it is not worth all the discomfort, Thorsen explains . When politicians quit because they don’t feel it’s worth all the unpleasantness, you have a serious problem, say the experts. Illustration: ALEXANDER SLOTTEN / news – This is potentially quite a big problem for democracy. That people are reluctant to participate. You can start in everyday life. When discussing political issues among friends and family around the dinner table. Thorsen’s tips are as follows. 1. Do not accept that anyone should decide over others what they should think. 2. Don’t accept that only some views are good. 3. Don’t sit quietly when someone else becomes quiet because they find it uncomfortable. 4. Treat each other with common customs. 5. Be clear about what you mean, but let others do the talking. Remember to vote, if you vote blank – The beauty of democracy as a form of government is that, in theory, each vote has the same amount of power, explains Von Heimburg. – It is the sum of votes that chooses who has the most power to make decisions on behalf of the community in a representative democracy like ours. But in practice it is not as simple, she says. Photo: NTB – There are many drivers, also private and commercial, which influence both the parties, the process and the popular vote. In addition, political involvement and the use of the right to vote are very socially skewed, she explains. There are several groups in society who use their right to vote to a far lesser extent than others. Including young people. Many young people news has spoken to say that politics does not concern them. This is also shown by the figures from Statistics Norway at the last municipal election. Only 47 percent of second-time voters voted then. In other words, less than half of 20-24-year-olds did not exercise their right to vote. – I think we need to equip democracy with more ears and less ready-made arguments, says Von Heimburg. In political discussions, there is a lot of rehearsed argumentation, and you forget to listen, she sighs. – If it is to be taken seriously that young people should want to participate, and that they are listened to, then those in power must show that the diversity of voices is necessary, and that they take young voices seriously. Young people have experiences that are decisive. Von Heimburg encourages politicians to sit at eye level with young voices. At the same time, she encourages young people to actually use their right to vote, since they are often underrepresented in elections. She points out that many of the major political issues particularly concern young people, such as climate and growing inequality. Climate and growing differences are among the political issues that should motivate young people to exercise their right to vote, according to the expert. Illustration: ALEXANDER SLOTTEN / news – Young people are the future, but they use their right to vote less than older generations. Thus, they are also underrepresented in democratic processes, and have less say in who should have the most power of those who represent us. – There are good reasons to listen extra carefully to what the young people are concerned with, and to make even better arrangements for them to experience it as natural and meaningful to participate in democracy. And perhaps it is even more important than ever to promote young voices. Thorsen believes that even if you cannot find a party that represents your opinions, you should at least vote blank. A blank vote shows support for democracy. Vote blank rather than sit at home, the experts recommend. Illustration: ALEXANDER SLOTTEN / news – The chance that your vote will be decisive is low. It can never be the most important reason for participating in elections. The most important reason is to participate in society and to show one’s support for democracy, he explains. – If you vote blank, you show that you support the democratic system, he explains. Then you have given support to democracy even if you did not find your party.
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The Democracy Guide – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
