ABSTRACT
In this chapter the author presents the general political profile of Norwegian political parties. He turns to the way these parties select their candidates for political office and the way they interact, in particular when fighting for a position in government. The author turns to alternative ways of influencing public policies—through the private interest organizations and the political action committees (PACs). He looks at the voters and the ways and degrees to which ordinary citizens take part in political activities. The author finally turns to the two national referenda on the question of Norwegian membership in the European Communities, later the European Union. In 1972 the membership issue had been on the agenda for about ten years. The debate over women's right to free abortion was particularly intense—also in Norway.
