Liberalism in Norway

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This article gives an overview of liberalism in Norway . It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having been represented in the Norwegian Parliament, Stortinget.

Contents

Background

The Liberal Party (Venstre, literally "Left") was the first organized political force in Norway, and was for long times the dominant political party (from the 1880s to the 1920s). Since the Second World War, it has been one of the minor parties, but still represented in parliament. Today, Venstre is a centrist liberal party. Venstre is also one of the founding members of the Liberal International. Venstre calls itself 'the only liberal party in Norway', [1] though this is disputed by other parties who also refer to themselves as liberal.

The Conservative Party (Høyre, literally "Right",) was the second organized political party in Norway. After the Second World War, it has at points been the second largest party in elections. In its policies, Høyre supports moderate free market liberalism, while being moderately conservative in social issues. There are, however, more liberally oriented factions within the party.

The Progress Party (Norwegian: Fremskrittspartiet) formed in 1973. Over the years, the party has supported a variety of liberal positions, especially in regards to a market economy, but also on some social issues. During the 1980s, the party was influenced by libertarianism, but this influence has decreased from the early 1990s and onwards. Since 2006, the party has become more socially conservative in orientation. This might have changed again to a certain degree recently however, as the party chose to vote in favor of same-sex marriage in the 2013 national convention, [2] as well as party leader Siv Jensen's focus on liberalism in recent news articles. [3] The Progress Party is also skeptical of non-Western immigration, which could be seen as conflicting with traditional liberal values. The party has in several elections been the second largest party in Norway, but has never participated in government until the election of 2013, when they formed a coalition government with the Conservative Party. [4]

The Capitalist Party (Norwegian: Liberalistene) is a newer party grounded in classical liberalism and Laissez-faire capitalism. It advocates personal freedom and autonomy. This party has not yet been represented in parliament.

The Liberal People's Party (Norwegian: Det Liberale Folkepartiet) is a minor, classical liberal party, with a focus on Objectivism. It has never been represented in parliament.

History

The following are events of Norway's liberalism, beginning with the 19th century.

Liberal leaders

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The Market towns of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark was an electoral district for parliamentary elections in Norway. It comprised the market towns of Bodø and Narvik in Nordland county, Tromsø in Troms county and Hammerfest, Vadsø and Vardø in Finnmark county.

The Market towns of Østfold and Akershus counties was an electoral district for parliamentary elections in Norway. It comprised the market towns of Fredrikstad, Halden, Moss and Sarpsborg in Østfold county and Drøbak in Akershus county.

The Market towns of Sør-Trøndelag and Nord-Trøndelag counties was an electoral district for parliamentary elections in Norway. It comprised the market towns of Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag county and Levanger in Nord-Trøndelag county.

The Market towns of Vest-Agder and Rogaland counties was an electoral district for parliamentary elections in Norway. It comprised the market towns of Flekkefjord, Kristiansand and Mandal in Vest-Agder county and Haugesund and Stavanger in Rogaland county.

The Market towns of Hedmark and Oppland counties was an electoral district for parliamentary elections in Norway. It comprised the market towns of Hamar and Kongsvinger in Hedmark county and Lillehammer and Gjøvik in Oppland county.

The Market towns of Telemark and Aust-Agder counties was an electoral district for parliamentary elections in Norway. It comprised the market towns of Brevik, Kragerø, Notodden, Porsgrunn and Skien in Telemark county and Arendal, Grimstad and Risør in Aust-Agder county.

The Market towns of Buskerud county was an electoral district for parliamentary elections in Norway. It comprised the market towns of Drammen, Hønefoss and Kongsberg in Buskerud county.

The Market towns of Vestfold county was an electoral district for parliamentary elections in Norway. It comprised the market towns of Holmestrand, Horten, Tønsberg, Sandefjord and Larvik in Vestfold county.

The Market towns of Møre og Romsdal county was an electoral district for parliamentary elections in Norway. It comprised the market towns of Kristiansund, Molde and Ålesund in Møre og Romsdal county.

References

  1. http://www.nrk.no/ytring/venstre-er-eneste-liberale-parti-1.11162732 (Norwegian)
  2. "FRP snur i homo-spørsmål". 16 October 2012.
  3. "En kamp om verdier". March 2013.
  4. "Erna Solberg's Government". 21 October 2013.

See also