Omar Bennett
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 and established foundational democratic principles such as the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties. The document was last revised in 2014, and there are now two equal Norwegian language versions of the Constitution – one in Bokmål and one in Nynorsk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 16 May 1814 |
| Date of signing | 17 May 1814 |
| Country | Norway |
| Type of government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Powers | Separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches |
| Voting rights | Liberal, including farmers and landlords |
| Human rights | Included in 2014 |
| Current language | Bokmål and Nynorsk |
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What You'll Learn
The Norwegian Constitution was adopted in 1814
The Norwegian Constitution was adopted on 16 May 1814 and signed on 17 May 1814. It is the fourth oldest written single-document national constitution in Europe and the second oldest working national constitution in the world. The document was ratified by the assembly at Eidsvoll, where representatives from across Norway had convened on 10 April 1814. The constitution was written over a period of five weeks in the spring of 1814.
The Norwegian Constitution was a dramatic break from the past, transforming the country from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. The document emphasised the principle of separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, inspired by the US and French systems. The king's powers were curtailed, and the church came under the control of the elected body. Suffrage was extended, but only to certain groups of men, including farmers who owned their land, civil servants, and urban property owners. This change granted about half of all Norwegian men the right to vote.
The 1814 Constitution established foundational democratic principles, including free elections and civil liberties. It also laid the foundation for participatory democracy, empowering the Storting (Norwegian parliament) and strengthening electoral systems. The Constitution ensured that citizens could play a direct role in governance, with public participation facilitated through legal frameworks and structured mechanisms.
The Norwegian Constitution has been revised and amended over time to keep up with the changing times. In 1903, the document underwent a slight linguistic revision to update the spelling of certain words. In 2014, Norway celebrated the bicentenary of its Constitution, and the Storting passed substantial changes, including the addition of paragraphs on human rights.
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The 1814 Constitution represented a break from absolute monarchy
The 1814 Constitution of Norway, officially known as The Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway, was a pivotal moment in the country's history, marking a significant departure from absolute monarchy. The constitution was signed on May 17, 1814, at Eidsvoll, establishing Norway as an independent state with its own constitution. This event was celebrated in 2014 as the bicentenary of the Norwegian Constitution.
The 1814 Constitution was a radical and modern document for its time, considered a "moderate revolutionary constitution" by Associate Professor Eirik Holmøyvik. It was based on key principles such as popular sovereignty, defined rights for participatory democracy, and independent rights of the individual. Popular sovereignty meant that the people, not the king, constituted the state, which was a fundamental break from the concept of absolute monarchy.
The power of the monarch was restricted by the constitution, which distinguished between legislative, executive, and judicial powers. While the executive power was attributed to the King in the constitution, it increasingly rested in his Council of State (statsråd) as Norwegian democracy evolved. Legislative power was vested in the representatives of the Storting, the Norwegian parliament, giving them considerable influence compared to other contemporary parliaments.
The constitution-drafting process was influenced by international ideas found in constitutions such as those of the United States and France around 1800. The Norwegian advisers of Crown Prince Christian Frederik of Denmark-Norway advocated for Norwegian independence and asserted that he had no more right to declare himself King of Norway than any other Norwegian. This movement led to the convening of a national assembly at Eidsvoll, where the constitution was written in the spring of 1814.
The 1814 Constitution of Norway was a transformative document that laid the foundation for a modern and independent Norway, breaking free from the constraints of absolute monarchy and empowering the Norwegian people to shape their own destiny.
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The Constitution was influenced by the US and France
The Norwegian Constitution, signed on 17 May 1814, is the second oldest written constitution in the world that is still in existence. It is also the fourth oldest single-document national constitution in Europe. The Norwegian Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution, marking Norway's independence from Sweden and Denmark.
The Norwegian Constitution was influenced by the US and French systems. The separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches was inspired by radical ideas from these countries. The sovereignty principle was the most important element in 1814, differing from the philosophy of French philosopher Charles de Montesquieu. The Norwegian Constitution also established foundational democratic principles such as free elections, civil liberties, and the right to vote for farmers, which was groundbreaking at the time.
The retention of a king and a constitutional church was a traditionalist move. However, the king's power was significantly reduced, and the church was under the control of the elected body. The constitution also extended suffrage, but it was still restricted to certain groups of men. About half of Norwegian men were granted the right to vote, a significant shift from the country's absolute monarchy past.
The Norwegian Constitution was also influenced by British political traditions and the ideals of the Enlightenment, such as political freedom and universal human rights. The idea that the people created and could change the constitution was a sign of the times, setting Norway apart from many other countries. The constitution laid the foundation for participatory democracy, empowering the Storting (Norwegian parliament) and strengthening electoral systems.
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The Constitution has been revised since 1814
The Norwegian Constitution was signed on 17 May 1814, marking a shift from absolute monarchy to democracy. It is the second oldest written Constitution in the world that is still in existence. The document is also the fourth oldest single-document national constitution in Europe and the second oldest working national constitution globally, after the US Constitution.
Since its adoption, the Norwegian Constitution has undergone several revisions. The first linguistic revision took place in 1903, with changes to the spelling of some words to reflect updates in orthography since 1814. However, the language remained conservative and similar to 19th-century Danish. This 1903 version was used as the standard for all amendments until 2014.
In February 2006, a constitutional amendment addressed 16 minor spelling errors, reverting them to the 1903 forms. This sparked discussions about how to handle the language in the document, with various approaches considered, including updating the language to modern usage or reverting to older standards.
In May 2014, the most substantial changes since 1814 were made, with the inclusion of paragraphs on human rights. This amendment also resulted in two equal Norwegian language versions of the Constitution, one in Bokmål and the other in Nynorsk.
While some believe that the Constitution requires further revision, both in language and political content, others argue for maintaining its current form. The latter viewpoint, known as constitutional conservatism, stems from the concern that a full-scale revision would lead to challenging debates and difficulties in reaching agreements.
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Norway is a constitutional monarchy
The Norwegian monarchy can trace its line back to the reign of Harald Fairhair and the previous petty kingdoms that were united to form Norway. The current monarch is King Harald V, who has reigned since 17 January 1991. The king's duties are mainly representative and ceremonial. He is the head of state and the symbol of national unity. While the Constitution grants important executive powers to the king, these are almost always exercised by the Council of State in the name of the king. The king appoints the government according to his own judgment, but parliamentary practice has been in place since 1884. The king ratifies laws and royal resolutions, receives and sends envoys from and to foreign countries, and hosts state visits.
The Council of State, or cabinet, is led by the prime minister of Norway and consists of the prime minister and their council, who are formally appointed by the king. The Council of State is formally convened by the reigning monarch. Legislative power is vested in the government and the Storting, the Norwegian parliament, which is elected within a multi-party system. The judiciary is independent of the executive branch and the legislature.
Norway's governance system is internationally recognized for its emphasis on public participation, transparency, and inclusivity. The country's transition to a constitutional monarchy in 1814 marked the beginning of its participatory governance system. Public participation in Norway is facilitated through a combination of legal frameworks and structured mechanisms, ensuring that citizens' voices are heard at every level of government.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Norwegian Constitution, signed on May 17, 1814, includes the word "democratic" and established foundational democratic principles such as the separation of powers, free elections, and civil liberties.
The Norwegian Constitution established key democratic principles, including the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, free and inclusive elections, civil liberties, and human rights.
Yes, the Norwegian Constitution has undergone amendments and revisions since its adoption in 1814. For example, in 1903, there was a slight linguistic revision to update spelling and orthography. More recently, in 2014, a full language revision was adopted, resulting in two equal Norwegian versions: Bokmål and Nynorsk. Additionally, over time, Norway has refined its governance mechanisms to ensure citizen participation in the democratic process.
