> What about other countries? Is having a written constitution the norm? I've never heard of anywhere but the USA which fixates so much on having a written constitution.

Norway has one, and it's the basis for our whole legal and politic system, but there's not by far as much focusing on it as there is in USA.

But the Constitution of Norway was formed 1814, signed May 17, which is our Independence Day. At that time we broke loose from 400 years of Danish rule (called "The 400 Year Night") and formed a union with Sweden which lasted for about 100 years, until 1905, when we gained full independence.

When the Constitution was formed, it was one of the most democratic of that time. Near 50 percent of all men gained franchise. (Is that the correct way to say it?)

But it wasn't all perfect, either. The 2nd amendment made it prohibited for Jews, Jesuits and monastic orders to enter and establish in Norway. There should have been a general statement on freedom of religion too, but instead only the exceptions were included, probably just because they forgot.


Trav"doesn't know very much about politics and law and stuff, though, and had to look up some of it"holt.