Nordic Ledger

By Mika Horelli, BRUSSELS –  If cars were introduced in the modern era, would we design a system where two-thirds of households owns one, sitting idle most of the time? This blog post explores how private car ownership has shaped our cities, economies, and daily lives—and questions whether smarter, shared mobility solutions in urban areas could offer a more sustainable way forward. If cars were invented today, it’s unlikely we would design a system where every household owns a vehicle that sits idle most of the time. Private car ownership has made us reliant on an expensive and inefficient mode of transportation that consumes vast amounts of space and resources. Could shared mobility and smarter transportation solutions offer a more sustainable path forward? Since the early 20th century, the car has been a symbol of modern life. It promised freedom, independence, and limitless possibilities—a personal four-wheeled oasis for every individual. But if we take a moment to consider the ...

This blog post explores the consequences of political disengagement and its impact on democracy. It examines why people are turning away from political news and participation, with examples from Europe and the United States, and reflects on the risks this trend poses to democratic systems. By Mika Horelli, BRUSSELS     A concerning trend is emerging in many democracies: people are disengaging from political news. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the United States, where two-thirds of citizens limit their political news consumption. However, it’s not just an American issue. Similar patterns are observed in Europe, especially in countries where democracy has already eroded. Hungary, under Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz government, serves as a cautionary example. Disengagement from politics is more than a sign of the times—it poses a serious challenge to democracy. When citizens stop following or questioning those in power, democracy risks becoming hollow. The system may remain...

By Mika Horelli, BRUSSELS  Although Russia’s involvement may never be definitively proven, the deliberate cable disruption caused by the Eagle S tanker—part of Russia’s shadow fleet—on Christmas Day is the latest example of hybrid warfare targeting Western nations. This was neither the first nor the last attack on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Each of these incidents highlights how vulnerable seabed infrastructure, such as energy pipelines and communication cables, truly is. This vulnerability extends beyond the Baltic Sea to include the North Sea’s gas pipelines and transatlantic communication cables off Ireland’s coast, all of which remain susceptible to interference by authoritarian regimes. While it is impossible to protect all cables and pipelines, the connections between Finland and Estonia could be safeguarded by placing them in a bedrock tunnel, coinciding with the construction of the long-planned but politically stalled railway tunnel between the two countries...

By Mika Horelli, BRUSSELS –  I was born decades after the First World War and fifteen years after the Second, so my understanding of the years leading up to those conflicts is indirect—gleaned mostly from the stories of my parents’ and grandparents’ generations. Their lives were shaped by the aftermath of these wars, but they still carried vivid memories of the political and economic conditions that led to such catastrophes. While I am far removed from those times, it’s hard not to see certain similarities between then and now. History may not repeat itself, as the saying goes, but it often rhymes. Before the First World War, the world was highly globalized economically, bringing prosperity and technological advancement. However, this did not prevent disaster. It is almost poetic irony that on the eve of World War I, Europe’s states were led by cousins: King George V of Great Britain, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia—under whose rule Finland also fel...

By Mika Horelli, Brussels –  Christmas is the peak season of consumer culture. It’s that time of year when affluent Westerners—whether in Finland, UK, US, or here in Central Europe—agonize over finding the “perfect” gifts for friends and relatives who already have everything. We decorate our homes and fill our storage spaces with items we’ll likely never need. Modern humanity lives amidst contradictions. Store shelves are brimming with goods promising to make our lives easier, happier, and more beautiful. Yet our homes are cluttered with unused items, and people rent storage units to hold the surplus. Something about this picture feels deeply off. Historians often describe prehistoric humans as hunter-gatherers. Before agriculture and livestock farming took hold, our ancestors moved from place to place, collecting food and resources essential for survival. At the core of this lifestyle was minimalism: only what was necessary was gathered, because everything had to be carried. Ironi...