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Research ArticleArticles

Why Religion Matters (Or Doesn’t)

Political Legitimation and Delegitimation in Norwegian Party Manifestos

Sven Thore Kloster
Scandinavian Studies, January 2026, 98 (1) 38-67; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/sca.98.1.38
Sven Thore Kloster
Sven Thore Kloster is the director of KIFO: Institute for Church, Religion, and Worldview Research in Norway, where he conducts research on the intersection of religion and politics.
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  • For correspondence: sven.thore.kloster{at}kifo.no
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Article Information

vol. 98 no. 1 38-67
DOI 
https://doi.org/10.3368/sca.98.1.38
Published By 
University of Wisconsin Press
History 
  • Published online February 9, 2026.
Copyright & Usage 
© 2025 © by the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study

Author Information

  1. Sven Thore Kloster
  1. Sven Thore Kloster (sven.thore.kloster{at}kifo.no) is the director of KIFO: Institute for Church, Religion, and Worldview Research in Norway, where he conducts research on the intersection of religion and politics.
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Scandinavian Studies: 98 (1)
Scandinavian Studies
Vol. 98, Issue 1
1 Jan 2026
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Why Religion Matters (Or Doesn’t)
Sven Thore Kloster
Scandinavian Studies Jan 2026, 98 (1) 38-67; DOI: 10.3368/sca.98.1.38

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Why Religion Matters (Or Doesn’t)
Sven Thore Kloster
Scandinavian Studies Jan 2026, 98 (1) 38-67; DOI: 10.3368/sca.98.1.38
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Religion and Life Stance in Norway and the Development of State Policy on Religion
    • Legitimation Categories and Motifs
    • Methodological Considerations
    • Six Motifs of Legitimation
    • Four Motifs of Delegitimation
    • The Shifting Grounds of Religious Legitimacy in Norwegian Politics
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    • References
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Keywords

  • religion and politics
  • legitimation
  • party manifestos
  • Norwegian politics
  • national identity
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