"No Job? Get Lost!" written by Andrew Higgins, is about Svalbard, Norway, the most northernmost territory in the the nation. This territory has extreme weather, and temperatures are very low. That is not what is so particular about this small area, though. Unemployment and homelessness is illegal. The author includes reasons why Svalbard is, "Europe's closest thing to a crime-free society," according to others and why they believe that banning was a good action on their part. People do carry around guns, though, and it's still practically a crime-less area. Higgins adds proof that the obedience for the law is caused by strict gun laws and the banned unemployment and homelessness.
In the article, the author mentions the governor of Svalbard, Odd Olsen Ingero, and how he said, "If you don't have a job, you can't live here,". After that, the author explains why this rule has been put into motion. "Banning homelessness and unemployment - a problem plaguing much of Europe - is meant to ensure that none of Svalbard's nearly 3,000 residents freezes to death." This was a good piece of evidence because the governor is a trustworthy person, so most people should believe him, and it shows that this banning was only for the good of the people residing in this area. Next, the author mentions that there are barely any attacks from others, but from polar bears. "Polar bear attacks regularly make front-page news. That's why nearly everyone in Svalbard owns a gun." This shows that there is such little crime there, that they only really take big precautions for bears. These people only use the guns for the animals if they ever attack and know that the government wants the best for them, seeing that they don't want anybody to die from the weather conditions.
In conclusion, this article really made me think. It must be really peaceful in Svalbard, excluding the polar bear attacks. Everyday there is something going on in New York, or even in Manhattan alone. There is a lot of crime here, and if everybody was allowed to have a gun, we wouldn't be here today because of constant shootings, even more robberies, etc. For people living here, it would seem very small and possibly too quiet there. I'm just glad that things are the way they are now, not too quiet, not extremely loud where I live. I consider this place home, and others consider Svalbard home. There's not much of a difference.
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