Norway

D

Local Government

Norway is divided into 19 counties (fylker), consisting of the city of Oslo and 18 large county areas. Each of the counties is governed by an elected county council. The counties are in turn divided into rural and urban districts, each of which has an elected governing council. Local governments have broad powers to collect taxes, to build schools and roads, and to provide social services. The police, however, are under the national ministry of justice.

E

Political Parties

The Labor Party, which advocates a moderate form of socialism, has played a leading role in Norwegian politics and has governed almost continuously since 1935. Although the Labor platform has called for a planned economy and government control of major industries, Norway’s mixed economy allows for extensive private ownership of industry and capital. Other major parties include the Conservative Party, which promotes free enterprise and lower taxation; the populist, anti-immigration far-right Progress Party; the Center Party, which favors the decentralization of decision-making in Norway and is an outspoken opponent of Norway’s membership in the European Union (EU); the Christian People’s Party, a centrist, antiabortion party advocating Christian principles in politics; and the far-left Socialist Left Party. Minority parties include the center-left Liberal Party; the Coastal Party, which promotes fishing interests; and the Norwegian Communist Party.

The Norwegian Communist Party has all but disappeared in the wake of the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Consequently, electoral support for the Socialist Left Party has increased as former Communists have joined its ranks. Increased support for centrist politics in Norway has strengthened the Christian People’s Party, which has been a leading party in nonsocialist coalition governments.

F

Social Welfare

Norway is a pioneer in social welfare legislation and today offers its citizens one of the most comprehensive systems in the world. Health insurance is mandatory for all people, with the state, the employer, and the individual all contributing to the health fund. Almost all medical care is free, including prenatal and maternity care, and free day care is available for children of working mothers. A compulsory National Pension Scheme that was put into effect in 1967 provides old-age, disability, rehabilitation, widow, widower, and other benefits, including one-year paid maternity leave and universal child support. The average pension, which begins at age 67, corresponds to about two-thirds of recipients’ earnings during their highest-paid years.

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G

Defense

The principle of universal military service has long been accepted in Norway. A 12-month term in the army or a 15-month term in the navy or air force is compulsory for all male citizens when they reach the age of 19. In 2004 the armed forces had a combined strength of 25,800 members. Most military forces are posted in the north. A home guard, with a strength of about 85,000, is trained for special tasks in local areas. Norway is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which the country joined in 1949.

H

International Relations

Norway, like Denmark, departed from Scandinavia’s tradition of neutrality to become a member of NATO. However, Norway did not follow Denmark into the European Economic Community, now the European Union (EU). Norway helped establish the trading bloc known as the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1960, and today the organization serves as a platform that permits Norway and other EFTA members to trade freely with EU countries (see European Economic Area). With the other Scandinavian countries and Iceland, Norway belongs to the Nordic Council, founded in 1953 to foster economic, social, legal, and cultural cooperation. Norway is a member of the United Nations (UN) and maintains a small peacekeeping force for use under UN auspices.

VI

History