Norway : a model !

[shokin]

In formal terms, Norway is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democratic system of governance. Democratic because the source of political power and legitimacy according to the Constitution lies with the people, in that all citizens are able to participate in the Storting (Norwegian national assembly), county and municipal councils. Parliamentary in as much as the Government, as the acting executive power, cannot govern without the confidence of the Storting, the legislative power. Constitutional monarchy because the Government, in accordance with the original articles of the Constitution, derives its authority from the executive power vested in the King.

Both democratic governance and the monarchy were established in the Constitution of 1814. Parliamentarianism was introduced in 1884. Today, the King has little real political power, but fills an important symbolic function as the Head of State and official representative of Norwegian society and industry. The monarchy also plays a crucial unifying role that becomes particularly evident in times of national crisis. This was clearly demonstrated during WWII, when King Haakon VII, who opposed the Nazi invasion of Norway in 1940, fled Norway to work against the occupation from exile in London.

State power is formally distributed between three institutions: the Storting (the legislative power), the Government (the executive power) and the courts (the judicial power). In addition, the public administration, which was designed to serve the needs of the political bodies, is sometimes viewed as a fourth state power, as it now takes independent action and can exert influence on the shaping of policies. There is also a geographical distribution of political power into state, county and municipal levels.

The participation of the people in the political sphere takes place both through direct elections and through their membership of organizations. The average Norwegian is a member of four organizations and approximately 70% of the adult population is a member of at least one organization. Such organizations are able to exert influence on the authorities by means of formal and informal contacts with the public administration. Close contacts between the standing parliamentary committees, ministries and interest groups mean that Norwegian policies are oriented towards segments such as the industrial segment, the agricultural segment or the educational segment.

Election turnout is usually in the vicinity of 80%. General suffrage for men was introduced in 1898, and for women in 1913. The age of majority is currently 18.

Let you visit here in order to know more about Norway !

Shokin

[Rui]

well, i never have been in Norway but i already went to Sweden and the systems are very identical, i guess some of the others countries in Europe should take a look to the Nordic countries, they are with no doubt the most organized countries that we have in Europe and probably in the world, starting for my country Portugal, we have so much to learn with the Nordics about how to have a good and safety society.

Rui

[pob]

about how to have a good and safety society.
Rui

First, not allowing anyone (I mean outsiders) to become a citizen of their countries !!!

Every country can't do that. And so for example in my city the safety we enjoyed is now a bit less, since a lot of people from poor countries come here... and not all of them are kind people...

[Dixie]

I know what Pob means. Immigration has increased 200% here. People from other countries come here every day, especially muslims. What Pob means is that safety has decreased a big deal. Robbery and murders, on the contrary, have increased. People is scared. Of course not all immigrants are the same! Most of them come here in search of a job and they find it and work hard in order to sustain their families, but others just cause scandals.

Recently, in my town, a native family had to literally abandon their home and move temporarily to another city because of their new neighbors, some immigrants who from the beginning started insulting them, throwing things at them, entering their home when they were not there, threatening them, etc.

This is unbelievable, authorities should do something, but of course they don't.

[Rui]

well, i have a little scare of talking about these subject, i understand what you said when you mean that some immigrants come just to cause some troubles to the resident population, and this is happening also here in portugal, but remember that in sweden for example they have many immigrants from muslins country's and the majority of them without any problem, i mean... we can't just say that the guilty of all the things came from the immigrant’s, we'll going to be very unfair with some of them, for example my brother lives in sweden for about 6 years and he never had any problem with the swedish authorities, in fact they gave him the residence permit without many question's.

cheer's,

Rui Pedro

P.S.- i hope i'll not gona be miss understood

[goodwill]

Hello!

I'm a Norwegian, and I can probably answer some of your questions about Norway. Go ahead!

goodwill

[Dixie]

Hello!

I'm a Norwegian, and I can probably answer some of your questions about Norway. Go ahead!

goodwill

Glad to someone from Norway! I've never been there, but it's definitely on my list. How's the level of English there?

[Cypress]

How's the level of English there?

Almost everybody speaks it.


I would gladly move to Norway with my husband (he's Norwegian) if it wasn't for one thing: COLD! I really hate cold winters.