Old and New Patterns: The 'No' Majority in the 1972 and 1994 EC/EU Referendums in Norway

Abstract

The periphery - defined not only geographically, but also socially (i.e. low socio-economic status) - provided the most significant opposition to Norway's membership of the EU. Normally, the periphery is considered inferior, lacking in strength and influence. However, the Norwegian periphery was strong enough to defeat the centre in the EU referendum. In Sweden and Finland, however, the centre was able to conquer the periphery and became the winner of the referendum concerning membership of the EU. The 'no' majorities in the 1972 and the 1994 referenda are analysed and interpreted according to five different explanations or perspectives: (i) interest explanations, (ii) cultural explanations, (iii) opposing the elite, (iv) the generation perspective and (v) Rokkan and Valen's cleavage model.