Statsborgerprøven flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Eidsvoll Constitution

The Norwegian Constitution was signed at Eidsvoll on 17 May 1814, establishing a constitutional monarchy with a parliament and civil rights. It remains in force with amendments.

Union with Denmark

From 1380 to 1814 Norway was in a union with Denmark, with the Danish king as monarch. Norway had its own laws but was the weaker partner.

German occupation

Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany from 9 April 1940 to 8 May 1945. The king and government were in exile in London while the Resistance operated inside Norway.

Sami people

The Sami are Norway's indigenous people, traditionally living in Finnmark and parts of Troms and Nordland. They have their own parliament, language rights and reindeer herding traditions.

Nordic welfare model

The Nordic model combines a market economy with high taxes, universal public services, strong unions and collective bargaining, aiming at equality and social security.

Allemannsretten

The right to roam lets everyone walk, ski and camp on uncultivated land, even private land, provided they leave no trace and respect privacy and cultivation.

Storting

Norway's parliament has 169 members elected every four years. It cannot be dissolved, and the government must have its confidence to stay in office.

4 percent threshold

A party must win at least 4 percent of the national vote to qualify for levelling seats in the Storting. Below that, it can still win constituency seats directly.

Constitutional monarchy

Norway's head of state is a hereditary king with mainly ceremonial duties. The Prime Minister and government exercise executive power and are accountable to the Storting.

Vote of no confidence

If a majority in the Storting votes no confidence in the government, the government must resign. The Storting itself cannot be dissolved or forced to early elections.

Sámi Parliament

The Sametinget in Karasjok is a directly elected body with 39 members. It advises on Sami language, culture and reindeer herding, and the state must consult it.

Municipal elections

Local elections for municipalities and counties are held every four years, two years after the Storting election. Foreign residents may vote after three years of residence.

Voting age

Norwegian citizens aged 18 or older on election day may vote in Storting elections. Prisoners and citizens abroad also have voting rights.

Compulsory education

Education is compulsory from age 6 to 16 (grunnskole). Parents must enrol children, and children have a right to free public education.

Conscription

Norway has selective military service (allmenn verneplikt) for men and, since 2015, also for women. Only part of each cohort is called up for service.

Lay judges

Lekdommere are lay judges who serve alongside professional judges in district courts and courts of appeal. Citizens can be summoned to serve.

Discrimination Act

The diskrimineringsloven prohibits discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and age, and covers employment and services.

Friluftsliv

Friluftsliv means outdoor life and is central to Norwegian culture. It is combined with allemannsretten, the right to access nature, and the duty to leave no trace.

Midnight sun

North of the Arctic Circle the sun stays above the horizon all night in summer. In winter the opposite occurs, with polar night in northern Norway.

Fjords

Fjords are deep, narrow inlets formed by glacial erosion and flooded by the sea. Sognefjorden and Geirangerfjorden are famous examples, the latter a World Heritage site.

EEA membership

Norway is not an EU member but belongs to the EEA (EØS), giving access to the single market in exchange for adopting EU rules. It is also in Schengen.

Bokmål and Nynorsk

Norwegian has two official written standards, bokmål and nynorsk. Pupils learn both in school, and public bodies must use both in certain contexts.

Emergency numbers

In Norway, call 110 for fire, 112 for police and 113 for ambulance. The out-of-hours medical service is reached at 116 117.

Fødselsnummer

The fødselsnummer is the national identity number assigned to residents. It is needed for health care, banking, school and most public services.

Grunnloven Article 100

Article 100 protects freedom of expression and prohibits prior censorship. Limits apply to hate speech, threats and privacy, and the ECHR also binds Norwegian law.

ECHR in Norway

The European Convention on Human Rights was incorporated into Norwegian law in 1999. It takes precedence over ordinary legislation in case of conflict.

Age of criminal responsibility

The age of criminal responsibility in Norway is 15. Children under 15 cannot be punished but may be subject to child welfare measures.

Child welfare service

Barnevernet can intervene when a child's health or development is at risk. Parents have rights to legal representation, and the child's best interests are a primary consideration.

Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, while the other Nobel prizes are awarded in Stockholm.

17 May celebration

Constitution Day is celebrated on 17 May with children's parades (barnetog) and school bands. It marks the 1814 Eidsvoll Constitution and is a public holiday.

Dugnad

Dugnad is voluntary collective work for a common cause, such as maintaining a housing cooperative or a sports club. It reflects egalitarian and community values.

Krone currency

The Norwegian krone (NOK) is the national currency, divided into 100 øre. Card payment dominates, and cash use is low by European standards.