Writing Democracy: The Norwegian Constitution 1814–2014, edited by Karen Gammelgaard and Eirik Holmøyvik

Abstract

Writing Democracy: The Norwegian Constitution 1814-2014, ed. by Karen Gammelgaard and Eirik Holmoyvik. New York, Berghahn Books, 2015. xii, 276 pp. $95.00 US (cloth). Writing Democracy is an interdisciplinary work in which authors from such diverse disciplines as legal studies, history, linguistics, sociology, history of concepts, and literary studies consider the Norwegian Constitution as a text. The volume investigates textual practices that preceded and accompanied the Norwegian Constitution's framing in 1814, and its amendments, supplements, and interpretation during the following two hundred years. The combined twelve chapters, placed in four sections, examine the textual qualities of this particular constitutional document, illustrate new ways analyze democratic advancement, and place the Constitution in an international and historical context. The Constitution of the Kingdom of (Kongeriget Norges Grundlov, 1814), its official name, is the second oldest constitution in the world still in force, after the US Constitution, created in 1787. Historical and political events leading the Norwegian Constitution must first be briefly considered. From 1380 1814 was a part of the authoritarian twin kingdoms of Denmark-Norway. Denmark-Norway sided with Napoleon and suffered defeat the allied powers. Sweden was among the victors, and in the peace settlement with Sweden in the Treaty of Kiel, would, under the monarchical principle, enter into a union with Sweden under the Swedish king. Danish Crown Prince Christian Frederik, who had been sent as a viceroy, served as the figurehead of Norwegian resistance the Treaty of Kiel. The most decisive and cogent event was the Constitutional Assembly at Eidsvoll, north of Christiania (Oslo). On 10 April 1814, 112 popularly elected delegates met at a national assembly there. The main task of the delegates as they framed the Constitution, was to put down on paper--in words, sentences, and paragraphs--ideas of the foundations of government and the protection of human rights in Norway (3). The Constitution was first written in longhand, then the document was published in print in Danish, the joint written standard of both and Denmark at the time, give all of Norway's largely literate inhabitants access. The original Constitution and the first official English translation are reproduced. Norwegians have considered the adoption of the Constitution a decisive point in the growth of Norwegian democracy. On 17 May, the delegates, in addition signing the Constitution, declared Norway's independence and elected Christian Frederik king. Crown Prince Carl Johan, the real ruler of Sweden, was, however, intent on quelling resistance and securing the throne of according the Treaty of Kiel. Conquest, with an invasion of Swedish troops into Norway, failed, and led negotiations with the elected Norwegian Parliament, the Storting (Grand Assembly), established in the Constitution. Christian Frederik stepped down and the Storting revised the Constitution allow a formal dynastic union with Sweden. …