Political culture

Illustrasjonsfoto politisk kultur

«In Norway they are bragging about the Prime Minister being a perfectly ordinary person», said a French ambassador when taking his leave of the country. «In France, that would have been an insult.»

In spite of France being a republic and Norway a monarchy, egalitarian ideals are probably more ingrained in Norway.

In the study of political culture the focus of attention is on attitudes, norms and practices which are relevant for the political game and for political legitimacy and governance, often with an emphasis on the historical dimension.   

We apply a broad definition of the concept “political culture”. Examples of research fields are: The view of man and society, ideas about representation and legal and religious norms, electoral systems, freedom of speech in practice, loyalty towards the government, manners and political rhetoric, journalism and satire.

 It could also be relevant to consider how the institutional, organizational and material framework tends to shape political culture, while themselves being part of it. Ceremonies, processions, dress and architecture are examples of the material aspects of political culture.

Research could also be conducted at the intersection between political culture and cultural politics, including the relationship between language and identity. This plays a significant role for the character of the political culture in many countries, among them Norway, especially in the 19th century.

Research disciplines

The following academic disciplines are represented in the research group: History, history of ideas, history of religion, philosophy, literature, music studies and political science.

Research partners and networks

  • Professor Paola da Cuzzani, University of Bergen
  • Jürg Glauser, Universität Zürich
  • Háskólinn í Reykjavík (University of Iceland)
  • Ruth Hemstad, The National Library of Norway, leader of the research network «Public sphere and freedom of speech in the Nordic countries 1815‒1884»
  • Midgard Historical Center
  • The National Museum, Denmark
  • The network «Communities in Northern Europe in the Middle Ages»
  • The network «Power, space  and network in Eastern Sweden»
  • The Norwegian Ministry of Defence
  • University of Aarhus
  • University of Copenhagen
  • University of Gothenburg
  • Université de Nantes
  • University of Nottingham
  • University of Oslo
  • University of Stockholm
  • Université de Toulouse II, Le Mirail

Current research projects

  1. Diaspora and memory in the Viking Age
  2. The role of the Queen in medieval Norway
  3. Cultural brokers in the middle ages
  4. Anglo-Saxon influence on early Norwegian urban legislation and political institutions
  5. King, burghers and urban community in Norwegian medieval towns
  6. A comparative approach to the Norwegian 'odelsrett' or retrait lignager in the middle ages and beyond
  7. The satirical in the Nordic countries and in France in the 19th century
  8. The relationship between the Church and the workers’ movement in Norway after 1940
  9. Where the sun never sets. The British Empire 1497-2016
  10. How Danish became Norwegian – The history of Bokmål 1814-1907
  11. The concept of political culture. History and theory.
  12. From the ink pot to the chamber pot. The reverse side of civil servant culture in 19th century Norway.

Leader of the research group

Members of the research group: