ABSTRACT
In this chapter the author starts with a discussion of the political role of the Constitution before moving on to the constitutionally prescribed structures: the legislature, the executive, and the public bureaucracy. He discusses the institutions set up to regulate regional and local government, briefly describes the new Sami Assembly, and ends by considering the political impact of international regimes such as the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement regulating Norway's integration into the economic free market of the European Union (EU). A hostile parliament has ample means to frustrate the political ambitions of any government. On the other hand, if the government controls the parliamentary majority, it does not have to worry much about the Storting. In terms of money, Norway—bordering the former Soviet Union and with a long North Atlantic coast-line—receives significantly more than it puts into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization coffer.
