Res Publica

What Res Publica does

Res Publica (legally Agenda Res Publica Media AS, organization number 919 118 784) is a non-commercial, independent Norwegian publishing house headquartered at Youngsgate 7-9, Oslo, operating since 2005 with an explicitly stated mission of shaping Norwegian public debate rather than maximizing profit. The publisher specializes in debate literature (debattlitteratur) and high-quality non-fiction in Norwegian, covering politics, economics, history, feminism, anti-fascism, climate, labor history, and social commentary. Its catalog combines original Norwegian works by public intellectuals such as Jonas Bals, Benedicte Bull, Ali Esbati, and Jorunn Folkvord with Norwegian translations of international titles by authors including Gabriel Zucman, Annabelle Hirsch, and Emma Holten, alongside annual wall calendars (Feministisk veggkalender and Arbeidernes kalender) and Boknett merchandise tote bags.

The publisher operates an 11-person team led by publishing director Gerd Johnsen (formerly of Cappelen Damm and Spartacus forlag) and runs a WordPress-based e-commerce platform (respublica.no) on WooCommerce for direct-to-consumer sales, supplemented by distribution through major Norwegian bookstore chains (Norli, ARK, Tronsmo, Arbeidernes Antikvariat, Anarres) and institutional channels including Kulturr\u00e5det arts purchases and NORLA international promotion. Books are priced between NOK 149 and NOK 449 with NOK 49 flat shipping and Vipps or card payments; international orders are explicitly not processed through the web store. The technology stack is intentionally simple — WordPress, WooCommerce, Google Analytics, Wordfence Security, and Make for newsletter automation — with no AI/ML components.

Res Publica's go-to-market is event-driven and sales-led: book launches at venues including Harlem Bar (Oslo), Kulturhuset, and Tronsmo; author tours and participation in Arendalsuka and Litteraturfestivalen; bookstore staff-pick campaigns across 12 Norwegian retailers; and earned media coverage in Klassekampen, Dagbladet, Aftenposten, NRK, Morgenbladet, and DN. Co-production partnerships with STL, Arbeiderbevegelsens arkiv og bibliotek, Goethe-Institut, NORLA, L\u00f8per\u00e5det, and BOKHARI extend reach into faith communities, labor archives, cultural institutions, and social enterprises. Revenue is not disclosed and the publisher's legal entity is delivered by LO Media, indicating an institutional affinity with the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions.

Name

Res Publica

Legal name

Agenda Res Publica Media AS

Website

https://respublica.no

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Res Publica is a non-commercial, independent Norwegian publishing house in Oslo publishing debate literature and non-fiction on politics, economics, history, feminism, and climate by Norwegian and international authors, selling direct-to-consumer and through Norwegian bookstores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanities & Arts Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAE)

Keywords

• Norwegian book publishing
• Debate literature
• Non-fiction publishing
• Independent publishing house
• Political commentary books

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Res Publica generates revenue through direct book sales via its Norwegian-language e-commerce website (respublica.no) and through physical bookstore distribution across Norway. Books are priced in Norwegian Kroner (NOK 149–449), with seasonal discounts offered during sales events such as Mammut 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Res Publica is an independent, non-commercial Norwegian publishing house that publishes debate literature and high-quality non-fiction (sakprosa) in Norwegian, covering politics, economics, history, feminism, climate, and social issues. The company publishes original Norwegian works and translations of international titles, distributing primarily through Norwegian bookstore chains and its own WooCommerce-powered e-commerce website. Its catalog also includes annual wall calendars and themed merchandise such as tote bags.

Product overview

Res Publica is a non-commercial, independent Norwegian publishing house focused on debate literature and non-fiction publications. The company publishes original works and translations of international titles, primarily in Norwegian. Their product portfolio centers on books (physical and pocket editions) covering topics including economics, politics, history, feminism, climate, technology, and social issues. The catalog also includes annual wall calendars (Feministisk veggkalender and Arbeidernes kalender) and merchandise items like tote bags. The company operates an e-commerce website for direct sales to consumers in Norway.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Book Publishing (Debate and Non-Fiction Catalog) Res Publica's core offering: publication of non-fiction and debate literature in Norwegian covering politics, economics, history, feminism, climate, and social issues, sold in physical book (hardcover and pocket) formats to Norwegian readers via bookstores and direct e-commerce.
• For rikt for hvem? Economics anthology edited by Ali Esbati examining Norwegian economic policy, welfare, and verdiskapning, addressing common myths and presenting facts about the Norwegian economy.
• Sammen bekjemper vi fascismen (pocket) Pocket edition of Jonas Bals' practical handbook on anti-fascism, providing strategies for resistance, organizing, and alliance-building against fascism, for Norwegian readers seeking political engagement resources.
• Milliardærer må også betale skatt Translation of French economist Gabriel Zucman's manifesto on taxing the super-rich, addressing wealth inequality and tax avoidance through tax havens, for Norwegian readers.
• Kvinneting. Historien i 100 gjenstander (pocket) Norwegian pocket edition of Annabelle Hirsch's international bestseller exploring women's history through 100 everyday objects, from cave paintings to mobile phones, for Norwegian readers.
• Underskudd. Verdien av omsorg (pocket) Pocket edition of Danish author Emma Holten's feminist critique of economics, examining how care work has been systematically undervalued in economic thinking.
• Vår tid er nå! Climate anthology edited by Gina Gylver featuring stories from young climate activists about environmental action, hope, and change.
• Min greske olivenlund Stian Bromark's personal narrative about olive cultivation in Crete, combining history, culture, climate, food, and Mediterranean politics.
• Pensjon er politisk Book by Jorunn Folkvord explaining the Norwegian pension system and arguing that pension is a political issue that deserves broader public debate.
• Trumps bakgård Book by Benedicte Bull analyzing US foreign policy in Latin America and the concept of America's backyard, with historical context and contemporary perspectives.
• På dypt vann Book by Helge Ryggvik examining seabed mineral extraction, ocean ecology, and the debate over deep-sea mining.
• Arbeidarsong Book by Anne Marit Godal exploring the history of labor movement songs in Norway from 1850 to present, featuring contributions from notable Norwegian politicians.
• 1,5 menneske. Derfor får vi ikke barna vi ønsker oss Book by Vilde Bratland Hansen examining why birth rates are declining in wealthy countries and what societal changes would enable more people to have children.
• Helt på nett – da norske tekpionerer skapte datahistorie Book by Hilde Nagell documenting Norway's tech pioneers including Norsk Data, SIMULA programming language, and Norway's role in early internet development.
• Vår kamp fortsetter Condensed version of Jonas Bals' two-volume work on anti-fascism in Norway, focusing on Norwegian history of resistance against racism and fascism.
• Steg for steg – løperåd med Ingrid Kristiansen Training guide by Ingrid Kristiansen with running advice and training programs, developed with Løperådet (Norwegian running community).
• Mamma er konspirasjonsteoretiker Book by Christine Rehn Jensen examining conspiracy theories and her personal experience with a family member who became a conspiracy theorist.
• Arbeidernes kalender 2027 Annual wall calendar produced in collaboration with Arbeiderbevegelsens arkiv og bibliotek (Arbark) featuring twelve icons from the Norwegian labor movement history, curated by Jonas Bals.
• Feministisk veggkalender 2027 Annual wall calendar by Marta Breen featuring twelve feminist role models with inspirational quotes, with activism as the 2027 theme.
• Boknett Vår tid er nå! Canvas tote bag merchandise featuring the 'Our Time is Now' climate anthology design, produced in collaboration with BOKHARI to support educational projects at the LAMS school.
• Et livssynsåpent samfunn Anthology published in collaboration with Samarbeidsrådet for tros- og livssynssamfunn (STL) exploring what a religiously open society can and should be in Norway.

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Samarbeidsrådet for tros- og livssynssamfunn (STL)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Res Publica is publishing the anthology 'Et livssynsåpent samfunn' (A religiously open society) in collaboration with Samarbeidsrådet for tros- og livssynssamfunn (STL), which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in autumn 2026. The book brings together researchers, commentators, and practitioners from various faith and worldview communities to explore what a religiously open society can and should be in Norway.
• Arbeiderbevegelsens arkiv og bibliotek (Arbark)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026'Arbeidernes kalender 2027' (Workers' Calendar 2027) is produced in collaboration with Arbeiderbevegelsens arkiv og bibliotek (Arbark). Jonas Bals curates twelve icons from the labor movement's history for the calendar, which is designed by Johanne Hjorthol.
• BOKHARIminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Res Publica's Boknett (book bag) products are produced and delivered by BOKHARI, which contributes to creating jobs for women and men, and schooling for children at the LAMS school. All proceeds from Bokhari go to support the school. Boknett products include bags featuring covers of 'Vår tid er nå!' and 'Kampen fortsetter'.
• Goethe-InstitutminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoethe-Institut provided funding support for the translation of Annabelle Hirsch's 'Kvinneting' (Women's Things) from German to Norwegian. The Norwegian edition was translated by Eivind Lilleskjæret.
• NORLA (Norsk Litteraturfond)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNORLA selected two of Res Publica's spring books as focus titles for international promotion, supporting the publisher's efforts to reach international audiences.
• LøperådetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLøperådet (The Running Council), one of Norway's largest running communities, collaborated on the book 'Steg for steg – løperåd med Ingrid Kristiansen' by Marit Beate Kasin, contributing training programs and coaching content for runners of all levels.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Universitetsforlaget: Norway's largest academic publisher. Comparable as it publishes Norwegian-language non-fiction by university-affiliated authors (Benedicte Bull, Gabriel Zucman) on politics, economics, and social issues.
• Spartacus forlag: Norwegian publisher specializing in political debate, history, and social commentary non-fiction. Most direct comparable given similar editorial focus on debate literature, and Res Publica's Gerd Johnsen previously worked as non-fiction editor at Spartacus.
• Manifest Forlag: Norwegian publisher of left-leaning non-fiction, debate literature, and political commentary. Comparable given similar Norwegian progressive non-fiction positioning and book-format distribution.
• Pax Forlag: Norwegian publisher historically focused on peace, progressive politics, and social issues. Comparable as a Norwegian publisher with progressive editorial positioning covering politics, social commentary, and history.
• Forlaget Oktober: Norwegian independent publisher known for literary fiction and progressive non-fiction. Closely comparable as an independent Norwegian publisher with progressive editorial positioning, and Gine Jonassen has prior experience at Oktober.

Broad incumbents

• Verso Books: UK-based international progressive publisher of political non-fiction, economics, and critical theory. Comparable as a publisher of left-leaning debate literature featuring international authors like Thomas Piketty.
• Det Norske Samlaget: Norwegian publisher covering both fiction and non-fiction with a cultural/social mission focus. Comparable as a Norwegian-language publisher producing debate literature and current affairs content.
• Cappelen Damm: Norway's largest general publisher with extensive non-fiction and debate literature catalog. Directly comparable as Res Publica's publishing director Gerd Johnsen and publisher Stian Bromark both came from Cappelen Damm's documentary department.
• Gyldendal Norsk Forlag: One of Norway's oldest and largest publishers, with significant non-fiction and political/current affairs publishing. Operates in the same Norwegian-language book market and competes for similar readers.
• H. Aschehoug: Major Norwegian publisher with extensive non-fiction and political commentary catalog. Comparable as it competes for the same Norwegian reader interest in current affairs and social debate.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/respublica
• Facebookfacebook.com/respublica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/res-publica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Res Publica