The Massmurderer who Came in From Nowhere

Abstract

This article has two main parts: The first outlines the historical development, briefly describing the events of 22 July 2011, the ideology of the mass murderer and his view of a possible future development in Europe, then the trial and verdict in 2012, and the formal end of the case, including the parliamentary evaluation. The second section assesses psychological explanations of the plot. The author argues that such explanations do not necessarily contradict explanations at the societal level.

The author charges that Norway as a poli- tical entity represented by all the parties and the government has demonstrated a lack of will and ability to raise and confront the economic, social, political, and ideological issues underlying the acts of the mass murderer.