The Nobel Peace Prize, 1901–1939: The Decision‐Making Process

Abstract

This analysis of the decision‐making process involved in Nobel Peace Prizes prior to the Second World War is illustrated with a dozen case studies. An independent Norwegian Nobel Committee chosen by the Storting, or Norwegian parliament, awards prizes. In this period its decisions reflected the dynamics among its members and advisers, all of whom were prominent political figures, some closely tied to the popular peace movement in Norway and abroad. Representatives of the Liberal party dominated the committee, although it also responded to the contesting views of other elements in the Storting. Nobel awards generally paralleled the orientation of Norwegian foreign policy, with its traditional bias toward peace.