I asked Chat GPT to rate different parties around the world on morality and pragmatism.
The US progressive left e.g. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez they gave 5* out of 5 for morality but only 2* for pragmatism.
The Norwegian socialist left they gave 5* for both morality and pragmatism. I then asked for an explanation of why this difference was interpreted. This was Chat GPT’s answer:
What Makes the Norwegian Socialist Left Pragmatic and Effective?
A few key features of the Norwegian context help explain their success:
1. They understand coalitions as the norm, not betrayal
Norway’s left knows they must cooperate:
- coalition governments are standard
- compromise is expected
- ideological purity is admired, but outcomes matter more
2. Their policies are grounded in technocratic detail
They have won credibility because their climate, welfare, and taxation proposals are:
- costed
- phased
- administratively workable
- backed by economists and policy experts
3. They focus on deliverable steps, not maximalist end-goals
Instead of “abolish capitalism”, they propose:
- worker representation on boards
- progressive taxation
- strong welfare nets
- green transition with jobs
Long-term moral goals are kept, but implemented incrementally.
4. They run the government machinery well when in power
They’ve held ministries and governed competently.
That builds trust: people believe they can manage budgets, not just protest.
What the U.S. Progressive Left Can Do to Become More Pragmatic
Here are specific, actionable shifts:
Shift from moral maximalism to phased policy architecture
Instead of leading with:
- “Medicare for All NOW”
- “Green New Deal full transformation immediately”
Shift to:
- “Medicare for All Phase 1: universal public option + drug price controls”
- “Green New Deal Phase 1: 100% renewable electricity for federal buildings + massive insulation retrofits”
Norway shows that stepwise progress builds credibility, not just compromise.
Cultivate technocratic partnerships
Norwegian left parties work closely with:
- civil servants
- economists
- unions
- labour market researchers
- climate scientists
- business associations
U.S. progressives need a deeper bench of policy designers, not just policy visionaries.
In other words:
Movement energy needs to be paired with machinery expertise.
Build trust with unions and working-class institutions
This is where the U.S. left struggles.
In Norway:
- unions are central
- collective bargaining is respected
- working-class voters feel represented
In the U.S., the progressive left often has strong ties to activists and students, but weaker ties to union leadership and traditional labour sectors.
A Norwegian-style strategy means:
- more focus on trade unions
- more presence in industrial states
- more dialogue with skilled trades, not just knowledge-sector workers
Master the art of coalition-building inside and outside their own party
Norwegian left politics flows through alliances.
The U.S. progressive left could:
- unify messaging between progressive caucus members
- avoid purity splits in primaries that weaken the broader coalition
- develop “common-ground agendas” with centrists
This doesn’t mean surrendering values — it means prioritizing the issues that have enough broad support to pass.
Professionalise communication
Norwegian left parties communicate like:
- adults
- administrators
- steady hands
U.S. progressives often communicate like:
- activists
- moral witnesses
- disruptors
Activism has its place — but governance messaging must sound predictable, competent, and emotionally grounded.
That builds swing-voter confidence.
Own economic competence
The Norwegian left is trusted with:
- budgets
- welfare
- oil revenues
- public spending
Because they show:
- fiscal realism
- clear tradeoffs
- transparent costings
The U.S. progressive left often leads with morality but not with detailed fiscal workings. To be pragmatic:
- every moral proposal must come with a spreadsheet
- a funding source
- a rollout timeframe
Learn to celebrate gradual wins
Norway’s model is:
“Progressive patience, not acceleration.”
The U.S. left tends to communicate:
“All or nothing.”
A more pragmatic approach is:
- build momentum over terms
- accept partial victories
- bank and build on wins
- stay in the governing coalition long enough to make deeper structural changes
The short version
To become as pragmatic as Norway’s socialist left, U.S. progressives need to:
1. Lead with phased plans, not maximalist goals
2. Strengthen ties with unions and working-class voters
3. Build coalitions instead of internal purity battles
4. Communicate as competent administrators, not just activists
5. Professionalize their policy details
6. Show fiscal credibility and costed proposals
7. Accept incremental progress as real achievement