Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - First part - III. Constitution and Administration - 1. Constitution - The Composition of the Riksdag and its method of working, by J. P. Velander, Ph. C., Stockholm - The Union with Norway, by E. Arosenius, Ph. D., Royal Central Bureau of Statistics, Stockholm
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
184 iii. CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF SWEDEN.
If the Chambers decide differently on any motion which belongs
to the treatment of an Ordinary Committee, this body shall, if possible,
make a project for a compromise. In order for a bill to be finally
carried, it is necessary to have an agreeing decision from both
Chambers. (The special order of action in changing the constitution is
described in the foregoing, on page 176). Financial questions are regarded
as exceptions to the rule that the consent of both Chambers is necessary,
these questions being decided, in case of disagreement between the
Chambers, by united voting, both Chambers voting anew and the result
being determined by the united number of votes. This arrangement,
which has its root in old Swedish Constitutions, has been of
extraordinarily great practical importance, since it has counteracted the
occurrence of constitutional strifes between the two Chambers.
If we cast a general glance over the composition of the Swedish
Diet, there appear principally two peculiarities. The first is, as
already pointed out, the great number of peasants, who have a seat
there (over 100, principally in the Second Chamber). As a consequence
of the traditions of centuries, our Riksdag peasants have become
accustomed to appear in public, and have acquired a self-respect and a
matter of fact knowledge, which causes them not to be inferior to the
representatives of the higher classes of society or to the representatives
of the people in any other country. — The other characteristic is the
frequency in the Riksdag of State officials, — even such as can at any
time be discharged by Government. It is not seldom that we see these
officials in opposition to Government, without thereby running the
least risk of losing their positions, — a speaking proof of the respect
for independent conviction and of the moderation which constitute such
a fine fruit of the far advanced parliamentary development in Sweden.
Another fruit of these is the temperateness and moderation which
characterize the discussions of the Riksdag, in proof whereof it may be
sufficient to mention that, for more than thirty years, it has never occurred in
the Riksdag that a member has been called to order, — much less that
any member has been the object of the still sharper measures of correction
which in certain parliaments are of almost daily occurrence.
The Union with Norway.
Since 1814, the Kingdom of Sweden, with its neighbouring country,
Norway, constitutes a union, according to which the two kingdoms are
united under one King in such a manner that they form a single
whole in relation to foreign powers, whilst, in regard to internal
affairs, each kingdom is on a footing of mutual independence. The
King, therefore, bears the title of King of Sweden and Norway; but
in documents regarding the internal affairs of Norway, the title is
altered into King of Norway and Sweden.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
