OLD AND NEW PATTERNS - THE NO-MAJORITY IN THE 1972 AND 1994 EC EU-REFERENDUMS IN NORWAY/

The periphery - defined not only geographically, but also socially (i. e. low socio-economic status)- provided the most significant oppositio n to Norway's membership of the EU. Normally, the periphery is conside red inferior, lacking in strength and influence. However, the Norwegia n periphery was strong enough to defeat the centre in the EU referendu m. In Sweden and Finland, however, the centre was able to conquer the periphery and became the winner of the referendum concerning membershi p of the EU. The 'no' majorities in the 1972 and the 1994 referenda ar e 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) Rokk an and Valen's cleavage model.