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Department of Political Science University of Aarhus Department of Political Science University of Aarhus Slide 1 28 September 2010 Aspects of Denmark: Danish Politics Carsten Jensen Department of Political Science, University of Aarhus
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Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Slide 128 September 2010
Aspects of Denmark:
Danish Politics
Carsten Jensen
Department of Political Science,
University of Aarhus
Slide 228 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Topics
1. The basics: – The Danish constitution
– Democracy in Denmark
2. The political parties:– Old parties
– New(er) parties
– The current political situation
3. The welfare state:– Types of welfare states
– The Danish welfare state
4. Denmark and Europe:– Referendums and exceptions
– Love/Hate?
5. Current topics:– Foreigners/immigration
– The Mohammed cartoon affair
Slide 328 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The Basics: The constitution
• Types of democratic regimes:
Continental
Europe
including DK
UKParliamentarism
Latin AmericaUSAPresidentialism
Proportional
representaion
First past the
post/Winner
takes all
Slide 428 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The Basics: The constitution• The Danish constitution:
– First written constitution in 1849
– Present constitution from 1953
– Constitutional monarchy and representative
democracy
– Parliamentary democracy
– Proportional representation
– The constitution is neither a full nor an
accurate description of political life – read
between the lines
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Slide 528 September 2010
The basics: Few formal
”veto points” in Denmark
Veto points:
– Federalism (e.g., Germany, US)
– A strong judiciary (e.g., US)
– Bicamerialism (e.g., US)
– Presidentialism (e.g., France, US)
– Use of popular referenda (e.g., Switzerland)
– Super-majorities (e.g., US)
Slide 628 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The Basics: Channels of influence
• Two (/three?) main channels of influenceGovernment
Interest
organisations
Central
administration
Political
Parties
Parliament
Citizens
The media
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Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The Basics: Corporatism and
consensual democracy• Democratic corporatism
– Privileged and institutionalized involvement of interest organizations in the legislative and administrative processes
• Initiative
• Preparation
• Implementation
– Through• Formal: Commissions, committees, consultations,
submissions, hearings, etc.
• Informal
consensual democracy
Slide 828 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The Basics: Political culture
• Political culture
– High level of political interest
– Comparatively high level of political knowledge
– High turnout in elections – around 85 % (except for EP)
– High level of turnout in referenda
– High level of satisfaction with the working of democracy
Slide 928 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Slide 1028 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
2. The political parties: The old parties
• Two cleavages, four parties
Socialdemokra-
terne =
Social
Democrats
Radikale
Venstre =
Social liberals
Reform-
demanding
Konservtive =
Conservatives
Venstre =
Liberals
Status quo
CitiesCountry side
Slide 1128 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The political parties: The new(er)
parties• 1956/9:
– Communist party splinter Socialist People’s Party
• 1968:
– New left parties Unity List – Red/Green alliance
– New right party: Progress Party Danish People’s Party
• 2007:
– New Alliance: Anti-Danish People’s Party, centre-right
• 2009:
– Borgerligt centrum: Bourgeois Centre, socially responsible,
less Big Brother
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Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Economic Politics
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No
n-E
co
no
mic
Po
litic
s
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
Danish People's Part
Liberals
Socialist People's P
Conservatives
Radical Liberals
Socialdemocrats
The political
parties: The current situation
Slide 1328 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The political parties: The current
situation
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Unity
List
Soc PP Soc
Dem
Soc
Lib
Lib Alli Cons Lib Danish
PP
-
%
Slide 1428 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
3. The welfare state
Slide 1528 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The liberal regime
• Welfare programs: Low levels of benefits; means-testing;
often citizenship-based
• Labor market: High levels of earnings inequality; low
levels of employment protection; many low paid service
jobs
• Core members: Austrailia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, New
Zealand, UK and US
Slide 1628 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The conservative regime
• Welfare programs: High levels of benefits; contribution-
based; familiaristic orientation
• Labor markets: Moderate levels of earnings inequality;
high levels of employment protection; low levels of
female labor force participation; insider-outsider logic
• Core members: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy
and Switzerland
Slide 1728 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The social democratic regime
• Welfare programs: High levels of benefits; citizenship-
based; universal access; family services
• Labor markets: Low levels of earnings inequality;
moderate levels of employment protection; many public
sector service jobs; high levels of female labor force
participation
• Core members: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden
Slide 1828 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The histioric causes of welfare
regimes• Strong labor movements the social democratic regime
• Weak labor movements the liberal regime
• Strong labor movements and a strong Catholic culture
the conservative regime
Slide 1928 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The history of the Danish
welfare state• First reforms introduced in the 1890s by the liberals
• Major expansion from the 1930s and especially the
1960s
• Social Democrats the leading party, but the Social
Liberals and in some instances the Liberals and
Cconservatives important too
• Class compromise consensus on basic goals of the
welfare state
Slide 2028 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The welfare state
• Pay levels:
– Average: 30,000 kr./mo.
– Super market clerk: 16,000 kr./mo.
– Unskilled nursing home assistant: 18,500
kr./mo.
– School teacher 25,000 kr./mo. + pension
– Skilled worker: up to 30,000 kr./mo.
– Full professor: 50,000 kr./mo. + pension:
7,800 kr./mo.
– Business lawyer: 60,000 kr./mo.
Slide 2128 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of AarhusThe welfare state• Transfers:
– Basic coverage in case of unemployment: 9,000 kr./mo.
– Unemployment insurance up to 4 years: max. 14,800 kr./mo.
– Maternity/paternity leave up to 1 year: max. 14,800 kr./mo (or full pay).
– Early retirement (62 years): 13,500 kr./mo.
– Old age pension (65 years): 10,000 kr./mo. + private insurance and/or various benefits
– Disablement pension: 14,800 kr./mo.
– Child allowance: Up to 1,150 kr./mo./child
– Student support (SU): 4,800 kr./mo. + loan
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Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The welfare state• Free services
– Health care – everything except dentistry and
medication (up to a certain amount)
– Education – from kindergarten class to PhD
– Public libraries
– Care for the elderly: Nursing homes, cleaning and
help in own home
• (Heavily) Subsidized:
– Daycare for children aged ½ - 6 years
– After school hours activities
– Public transportation
– Museums and cultural institutions
Slide 2328 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
The welfare state• The price tag:
– Income taxes: Progressive taxation rising from about 40% to
62% according to income level (income > 350.000 kr)(first
40,000 kr./yr. are not taxed)
– (From January 2010 max. marginal tax is 56%
(incomes>390.000 kr.))
– VAT: 25% on everything you buy
– Property taxes
– Petrol taxes
– Car taxes: 180% on new cars
Slide 2428 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Reforms in Danish welfare
• Some basic feautures:• PR electoral system and few veto points
moderately strong multi-party governments
• Popular support for welfare programs high
• Moderate fiscal pressure
• Many negotiated reforms
Slide 2528 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Reforms in Danish welfare
• Big labor market reforms in the 1990s
• The early retirement scheme curtailed in
1998 and 2006
• Reforms mostly introduced by the Social
Democrats with support of the other old
parties
Slide 2628 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
4. Denmark and Europe• From 1972 to the present: A history of referendums and
exceptions
• Referendums mandatory when surrendering sovereignty
to super-national bodies such as the EU
• Can also be held merely as a way for politicians to listen
to the people
• Now: A norm in EU matters – expected by the people
Slide 2728 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Denmark and Europe
• The six referendums:
Year Topic Turnout % yes
1972 EC membership 90,1 63,3
1986 Single European Act 75,4 56,2
1992 Maastricht Treaty 83,1 49,2
1993 Edinburgh Agreement 86,5 59,7
1998 Amsterdam Treaty 76,2 55,1
2000 Single Currency 87,6 46,8
Slide 2828 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Denmark and Europe
• Masstrict NO Edinburgh Agreement:
• The four exceptions/opt outs:
– No participation in the Euro
– No participation in common defence
– No participation in police and judicial affairs
– No participation in union citizenship
Slide 2928 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Denmark and Europe
• Love/Hate?
• Strong support for the EU on a daily basis
• Strong support for enlargement
• Strong opposition to deepening of
cooperation
Slide 3028 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Slide 3128 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Slide 3228 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Slide 3328 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
4. Current topics:
Foreigners/immigration• The hottest political issue over the past 10 years
• Decided the 2001 election
• At the core of a major cleavage in modern Danish
politics
• Why:
– Racists?
– Worse than others?
– Party competition?
Slide 3428 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Current topics:
Foreigners/immigration
• Not much support for outright racism:
– ”Some races are less intelligent than others”
– Agree: 18%
– Disagree: 74%
Slide 3528 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of AarhusCurrent topics:
Foreigners/immigration• Don’t want neighbours of different race %
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
SwedenCanadaHolland
GermanyDenmark
AustriaUSA
FranceUK
CzechRSpain
FinlandBelgium
GreeceItaly
PolandTurkey
Slide 3628 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Current topics:
Foreigners/immigration
• The past 10 years:
– Immigration issue on the political agenda
– Parties have taken positons on it politicised
issue
– Thus, voters take it into account when voting
– Policies have been changed
Slide 3728 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Current topics:
Foreigners/immigration
• Main points of changes:
– 24-year rule
– Start help: 5,600 kr./mo.
– Tests to obtain citizenship
• Not much demand for further changes
Slide 3828 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Current issues: The Mohammed cartoon affair
• Introduction:
– Drawings for childrens’ book
– Invitation to cartoonists
– Relatively quiet for months
– Imams on tour in the Middle East
– Riots, boycotts, and embassy burnings in the Middle
East
– February 2008: Death threats towards one of the
cartoonists reprint in papers new riots
– Now: Sales are close to normal again, and people are
relaxing, but the debate continues
Slide 3928 September 2010
Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus
Current issues: The Mohammed
cartoon affair
• The debate:
– The imams: It is against islam to show
pictures of Mohammed - blasphemy
– Danish government: Freedom of expression –
as long as you don’t lie or derogate
individuals or groups of people. Public debate
has wide limits
