Elite monopoly

Failed vaccine policy it can lead to false safety, serious side effects, and loss of confidence in vaccines. These are the key points of a warning from the immunologist and professor Anne Spurkland of the University of Oslo. In an interview with Dagbladet, she points out the dangers of hastily approving vaccines that have not been sufficiently tested for effects and side effects.

This warning is extremely important. And it is by no means limited to our country. As is well known, it is a pandemic that requires global control of the virus. This will happen at a time when there is growing skepticism about research and academic knowledge, and especially about vaccines. In many countries, vaccine opponents are an important and growing group. If there are enough, it will undermine the effect of a good vaccine.

In May published The AP news agency conducted a survey in which only half of the American population responded that they would take a possible vaccine against covid-19. Up to 20 percent answered no, while 31 percent said they were not sure. In August, Kings College London conducted a similar survey. Only 53 percent answered that they wanted to be vaccinated, while 16 percent answered that they did not.

Professor Spurkland notes that an approved emergency vaccine with an unfortunate outcome will affect the population’s confidence in vaccines in general, not just the covid-19 vaccine. The professor sticks to his field, but there are many indications that the domino effect of a failed vaccine will extend far beyond the medical field. The vaccine, and other measures against the crown, profoundly affect the field of tension between individual freedom, the right of the authorities to exercise power, the ability of politicians to listen and trust in knowledge and investigation.

Is already established various scenarios for political contradictions that often have a polarizing effect. In Norway, we see this on issues like predators, immigration, gender policy, vaccines, and climate. The effects of the riots are reflected in international surveys that show a decline in trust in democracy and democratic institutions. Explanations for this differ, but a common feature seems to be repeating itself: people’s experience that they have less control over their own lives and living conditions.

This is something much more than a vague malaise. It is based on real changes within political and social systems. Democratic institutions have voluntarily yielded power and are increasingly populated by elites. A key factor is what social scientist Cathrine Holst calls “the scientification of politics.” She describes the change as follows:

“First, a number of decisions small and large in modern democracies have been delegated to an expanding administration: central banks, ministries, directorates, agencies, councils, and supervisors populated by academics, not least lawyers, economists, and other social scientists. Furthermore. , there is legalization and increasing the power of lawyers through the courts. “

As a good number two, we see that more and more ministers have an academic background, often in the field in which they must govern as politicians.

From the Enlightenment It has been an ideal to create a better society based on rational thought, facts and science. In Norway, this is solved, among other things. by a competent body of highly trained professionals in ministries and other government institutions. In almost all important cases, outside experts are incorporated into the research work that precedes political decisions. In the struggle for political power, it is increasingly important to trust experts and research, even when the base is thin or distorted.

HRS notified the government

The problem is that too strong an academization of politics monopolizes the premises for almost all social changes. Theoretical knowledge displaces the experiential knowledge. The upper class of the profession acquires a dominant social position that depends on authoritarian power, often through authority, experience and control. This disqualifies large groups that do not have academic resources. Here we also find the reason why the revolt against the elites is not directed at the upper economic class, but at groups and individuals who have political and cultural power.

Most of us he does not choose an amateur surgeon to perform an operation. In some areas of life we ​​must rely on research and experience. That is why it is important that the corona vaccine meets its objectives and is distributed efficiently and fairly.