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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

Slide 728 September 2010

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

Slide 1228 September 2010

Department of Political Science University of AarhusDepartment of Political Science University of Aarhus

Economic Politics

9080706050403020

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

Slide 2228 September 2010

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