What can government talk tell us about punitiveness? The case of Norway post 22 July 2011

Highlighting the culturally contingent nature of state reactions to crime, the present case study uses content analysis to examine state talk issued by the Norwegian government following the 22 July 2011 terrorist attacks to illustrate how more moderate responses to horrific events are accomplished through government talk emphasizing themes thought to constrain as opposed to facilitate a more punitive response. Situating state discourse in the context of the Scandinavian welfare state, the present study argues that government talk surrounding the Breivik case reflects and reinforces Norway's comparatively less volatile and competitive social order. Analysis of less incendiary government talk is needed to better understand the role of government rhetoric in shaping responses to crisis.