International reactions to U.S. president Obama’s Nobel peace prize award have been mixed, to say the least, since last week’s announcement, as they’ve been at home. In fact, the Norwegian public is split down the middle in the matter, despite general support for Obama and his political agenda.
Of course, it comes as no surprise, as, after all, the laureate himself has very little to show for himself. In fact, he seems just as surprised as the rest of us.
Much as I share president Obama’s ideas, goals, hopes and aspirations, I must admit that I’m prone to join the sceptics in this matter. Granted the prize appears aspirationally motivated, rather than by accomplishments, but, I fear, in breech of the Nobel committee’s bylaws – and Alfred Nobel’s intentions (whose legacy the committee’s been appointed to honour and enforce).
Could it be, as claimed by some, that U.S. president Barack H. Obama has been awarded for not being George W. Bush jr? Yes, it could, or better still, it is. There’s no point in denying the obvious; The Norwegian public and our politicians, included yours truly, had a hard time stomaching president Bush and his hard-line conservative policies.
In many ways this year’s Nobel peace prize can – and should – be viewed as expression for the Norwegian government’s rejoice in finally being rid of the old master, waggingly welcoming the new one, whose bidding we’ll eagerly do (hence the above picture). Of course, you could argue that our government’s involvement is irrelevant, if not non-existing, as the Nobel committee is an independent body. Only in the name, I’m afraid. Believing in that independence is highly naïve, at best. Make no mistake about it: These guys talk a lot (between themselves, that is).
The Norwegian Labour party is considered what we’ve dubbed a state-bearing party, filling crucial positions in our bureaucracy and our institutions for generations – including the Nobel committee. In fact, the committee’s chairman, Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland, has held a number of posts on Labour’s behalf:
- MP (1993–2009)
- PM (1996–1997)
- Minister of foreign affairs (2000–2001)
- President of parliament (2005–2009)
- Secretary general of the Council of Europe (2009–)
(God forbid that the Council of Europe’s peace prize candidacy should arise)
If you want to convince me that Labour had nothing to do with this year’s peace prize reward, please be my guest.
Full disclosure: I’m a member of the Norwegian Labour, but not prone to comply with party programmes or dogmas – and not about to begin to now. I follow my own, constantly revised and evolving thoughts and convictions only, rendering me unsuited for political memberships, really.
In a sense we have a set of dogs, only too happy to comply with his master’s voice: The Nobel committee, eagerly executing the government’s (so long as it’s Labour) bid, and the Norwegian government, whose zeal to please America is legendary. You have to applaud the strategists behind it all, though:
What better way to ensure an American presidential visit – and to draw the world’s attention to the Norwegian capital?
Yes, I’m a huge fan of U.S. president Obama and the promise of his current conduct, and yes, I fully understand the Nobel committee’s intentions, but fear they’re about to ruin the institution’s reputation.
However, we’d do well to keep in mind that the road to hell remains paved with good intentions.
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