Det blåøyde riket

Social trust is the key, yes, the very formula for success, for well-functioning and harmonious societies like the Norwegian one, claim both researchers and politicians. But can a society have too much trust? Can trust make us lazy and naive? Does Norwegians' large, almost limitless trust in authorities and government institutions pave the way for corruption, abuse of power, and national security threats – and for us Norwegians to tolerate incompetence too much?

Yes, argue Nina Witoszek and Eva Joly, who in this book address what they call Norwegian trust pathologies. The authors show how Norwegian trust has backfired on us and has been exploited by, among others, Norwegian peace mediators, tax lawyers, business leaders, politicians, and the state oil company Equinor.

They acknowledge that trust is an important social asset. But it must be accompanied by common sense.