Jonah Patel
The Norwegian Constitution, signed on 17 May 1814, is the second oldest written Constitution in the world. It is the fourth oldest single-document national constitution in Europe. The document established foundational democratic principles, including the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties. The Constitution transformed Norway from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, with the King's power severely curtailed. The Norwegian Constitution has undergone several revisions, with the most substantial changes occurring in 2014, including the addition of paragraphs on human rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 16 May 1814 |
| Date of signing | 17 May 1814 |
| National day | 17 May |
| Type of document | Single-document national constitution |
| Position in seniority | Fourth oldest in Europe, second oldest in the world |
| Language | Danish (1814), Bokmål and Nynorsk (2014) |
| System of government | Parliamentary, representative democracy, constitutional monarchy |
| Executive power | Vested in the King or Queen |
| Legislative power | Vested in the government and the Storting |
| Judiciary | Independent of the executive branch and the legislature |
| Separation of powers | Between the executive, legislative and judicial branches |
| Suffrage | Restricted to certain groups of men (originally) |
| Human rights | Included in the 2014 amendment |
| Religious freedom | No; banned Jesuits, monastic orders, and Jews |
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What You'll Learn
The Norwegian Constitution's democratic principles
The Norwegian Constitution, signed on 17 May 1814, is the second oldest written Constitution in the world. It is the fourth oldest single-document national constitution in Europe. The Constitution was inspired by the United States Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution, as well as the subsequent US Constitution.
The 1814 Constitution established foundational democratic principles such as the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties. The principle of the separation of powers was intended to prevent the abuse of power. The Constitution also provided for one of the world's most liberal voting rights regimes, with about half of Norwegian men granted the right to vote. Suffrage was extended to men who were farmers possessing their own land, civil servants, or urban property owners.
The Constitution laid the foundation for participatory democracy, empowering the Storting (Norwegian parliament) and strengthening electoral systems. It ensured that citizens play a direct role in governance, with public participation facilitated through legal frameworks and structured mechanisms. The 1837 Municipalities Act established local self-governance, granting municipalities significant autonomy and encouraging grassroots public participation.
Norway's governance system is internationally recognised for its emphasis on public participation, transparency, and inclusivity. The country's political culture is based on core values like egalitarianism and corporatism, resulting in a low level of political polarisation. Norway has a strong tradition of coalition governments and a consensual form of decision-making that emphasises the inclusion of a wide range of interests above majority rule.
Over time, Norway has refined its governance mechanisms to ensure citizens remain active participants in the democratic process. The Constitution has also been revised and updated, with significant changes made in 2014 to include paragraphs on human rights.
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The 1814 Constitution's impact on Norway's governance
The 1814 Constitution of Norway, officially titled 'The Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway', was a pivotal moment in the country's history, transforming its political system and establishing a new era of governance. The document, signed on May 17, 1814, by the Norwegian Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll, marked a significant departure from the past, ushering in a wave of democratic principles and ideals.
One of the most notable impacts of the 1814 Constitution was the shift from absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. While Norway retained the monarchy, the new constitution curtailed the king's powers and established a system of checks and balances through the separation of powers. The king's role became largely symbolic, with executive power vested in the Council of State, which acts in the name of the king. This council, or cabinet, is led by the prime minister of Norway, who is appointed by the king. The constitution also empowered the Storting, the Norwegian parliament, giving it complete control over legislation.
The 1814 Constitution laid the foundation for participatory democracy in Norway. It established key democratic principles such as the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties. The inclusion of human rights and the emphasis on individual freedom marked a significant step towards a more inclusive and rights-respecting society. The constitution also provided one of the world's most liberal voting rights at the time, granting voting rights to farmers and landowners, which amounted to about half of all Norwegian men.
The 1814 Constitution also had a lasting impact on Norway's governance through its emphasis on public participation and transparency. It established a system of local self-governance with the Municipalities Act in 1837, which granted municipalities significant autonomy and encouraged grassroots public participation. This enabled citizens to engage directly with local governance and decision-making processes, ensuring their voices were heard at all levels of government.
Additionally, the 1814 Constitution set the framework for Norway's legal system, which combines customary law, civil law, and common law traditions. The constitution provided for the Supreme Court to render advisory opinions to the legislature and established the independence of the judiciary from the executive and legislative branches.
Over time, Norway has refined its governance mechanisms to ensure citizens' active participation in the democratic process. Amendments have been made to the constitution to keep it relevant, such as the addition of paragraphs on human rights in 2014 and the separation of church and state in 2012. The 1814 Constitution remains a cornerstone of Norway's governance, with the country being recognised internationally for its commitment to public participation, transparency, and inclusivity in the political process.
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The role of the King in the Constitution
The Norwegian Constitution, signed on 17 May 1814, marked a significant shift from the absolute monarchy and aristocratic privilege of the past. It established foundational democratic principles such as the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties, transforming Norway into a constitutional monarchy. While the Constitution grants important executive powers to the King, his role is primarily ceremonial and symbolic, representing national unity.
The King's duties are largely representative, and he is required to remain apolitical. He formally opens the Storting (the Norwegian parliament) each autumn, playing a crucial role in facilitating the transition from one government to the next. The King also presides over the Council of State, which is formally convened by the reigning monarch and consists of the Prime Minister and their council, formally appointed by the King. The Council of State exercises executive power on behalf of the King, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the country's armed forces, holding the ranks of General in the Army and Air Force and Admiral in the Navy.
The King is responsible for appointing the government according to his judgment, but parliamentary practice has been in place since 1884. The King ratifies laws and royal resolutions and is in charge of foreign affairs, sending and receiving envoys and hosting state visits. He is also the symbolic head of the Church of Norway, although he has no official role in its affairs.
The King's role in the Constitution is significant, but it has evolved over time to emphasise the democratic principles enshrined in the document. The powers vested in the monarch are now treated as reserve powers, and the King's influence is primarily symbolic, reflecting Norway's commitment to public participation, transparency, and inclusivity in its governance.
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Amendments to the Constitution
The Norwegian Constitution was adopted on 17 May 1814 and is the second oldest written Constitution in the world that is still in existence. It was inspired by the United States Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution, and the subsequent US Constitution. The Norwegian Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll signed the document, and the date is now celebrated as Norway's Constitution Day.
The 1814 Constitution established foundational democratic principles such as the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties. It transformed Norway from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, severely curtailing the king's power. The document also laid the foundation for participatory democracy, empowering the Storting (Norwegian parliament) and strengthening electoral systems.
Over the years, the Constitution has undergone several amendments to keep it in tune with the times. In 1851, the sentence "Jews are still prohibited from entry to the Realm" was struck out after a campaign by the Norwegian poet Henrik Wergeland. In 1897, the sentence before it, which stated that the "Evangelical-Lutheran religion remains the public religion of the State", was also removed. Universal male suffrage was introduced in 1898, and universal suffrage in 1913.
In 2004, a parliamentary report and a proposition for constitutional amendment were presented to change the legal basis of the High Court of the Realm and reduce its political bias. This proposal was passed in 2007 and came into effect in 2009, resulting in the formation of a new court of impeachment composed of Supreme Court judges and lay judges.
In 2011, a Committee appointed by the Storting suggested that human rights be given a separate chapter in the Constitution. In 2014, a chapter on human rights was added, and the Constitution was rewritten into modern Bokmål and Nynorsk, the two official varieties of written Norwegian. This marked the most substantial change to the Constitution since 1814.
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The Constitution's influence on Norway's political culture
The Norwegian Constitution, signed on 17 May 1814, transformed Norway from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, marking the beginning of its participatory governance system. The Constitution laid the foundation for participatory democracy, empowered the Storting (Norwegian parliament), and strengthened the electoral system, ensuring that citizens play a direct role in governance.
The Constitution established foundational democratic principles such as the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties. The principle of separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches was inspired by radical ideas from the US and French systems. The Norwegian Constitution differs from the philosophy of French philosopher Charles de Montesquieu, with the sovereignty principle considered the most important element.
The Constitution also provided Norway with one of the world's most liberal voting rights at the time, with the right to vote extended to farmers or landlords, granting approximately half of Norwegian men the right to vote. Suffrage was restricted to certain groups of men, but this was still a significant step towards democracy. The Constitution's emphasis on individual freedom and human rights further strengthened Norway's political culture, with the inclusion of rights such as freedom of speech and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Norway's governance system is internationally recognized for its focus on public participation, transparency, and inclusivity. This commitment to participatory democracy is reflected in legislation such as the Municipalities Act (Formannskapslovene) in 1837, which established local self-governance and encouraged grassroots public participation. The Local Government Act of 2018 further reinforces this by outlining the responsibilities of municipalities and counties in fostering citizen engagement.
The Constitution's influence is also evident in Norway's multiparty political system, with various political parties playing important roles over the years, including the Norwegian Labour Party, the Conservative Party, the Progress Party, and the Christian People's (Democratic) Party. Norway's political culture is characterized by core values like egalitarianism and corporatism, with a tendency towards incremental measures.
While Norway's political system has evolved since the Constitution's inception, the foundational principles established in 1814 continue to shape the country's political culture, reflecting a commitment to democracy, public participation, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Norwegian Constitution, which was signed on 17 May 1814, established foundational democratic principles, such as the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties.
The Norwegian Constitution outlines several key democratic principles, including:
- Separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
- Popular sovereignty, with the people issuing laws, granting state funding, imposing taxes, and supervising the government through the Storting.
- Free elections and civil liberties, including voting rights for farmers and certain groups of men.
Yes, while the Norwegian Constitution has been amended and revised over time, it continues to serve as the foundation for Norway's democratic governance. Notable changes include:
- A 1903 linguistic revision to update spelling and orthography while maintaining the conservative 19th-century Danish influence.
- A 2006 amendment to correct minor spelling errors and revert them to their 1903 forms.
- A 2014 language revision, resulting in two equal Norwegian versions: Bokmål and Nynorsk.
- The inclusion of paragraphs on human rights and the establishment of a unicameral system.
