NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 7; DENMARK; GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
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SECRET
71GS /GP
J
9
Denmark
March 7974
201161m�lulm
SECRET
NO rOREIGN OISSEM
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2
This chapter teas prgwred for the NIS by the
Ceruml Intelligence Agency, Rescatch was sub-
stantially completed by November 197'3_
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NO
CONTENTS
This rhapter viperscdc5 the pohlical cover
age in flu� General Sufrrg dared ,lfarr 1,91i s.
A. lntrodUC6011
13. Structure and functioning of the government 2
1. hoots of the :system 2
2, Coi stitutiol] 2
3. Exvcutive
4. 1,CgiSlatore r
5. Ci iI service
G. Judiciary 5
7, llegional and local government
C. Political dynanlies 11
I. The Danish political :ururn
11
2. Parliamentary political] parties
12
a. Social Democratic Part
14
b. Moderate Liberal Party
17
c. Radical T ibmal Party
18
d- Catlservative Pall t
20
a Parties of the far left
21
Suns: r
No 1 om. m, 11%sv
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Page
Page
3. Splinter parties
23
c. Communist nations
33
a. justice Party
23
d. The United States
34
b. Schleswig Party
23
E. 'Threats to government stability
34
c. Independent Party
23
d. Liberal Center Party
24
1. Discontent and dissidence
34
e. Nascent Progressive Party
24
2. Subversion
35
4. Pressiure groups
24
a. Communist Party of Denmark:
35
S. Electoral practices
25
b. Communist splinter organizations
35
F. Maintenance of lntennpl security
36
D. National policies
27
1. Police
36
1. Domestic
27
2. Correctional prisons
37
2. Defense
28
G. Selected bibliography
37
3. Foreign
30
Chronology
39
a. The United Nations
30
b. Europe
30
Glossary
41
FIGURES
Page
Page
Fig. i Stnicture of government (chart)
3
Fig. 5 Popular participation in Folketing
Fig. 2 Chn:tiansborg Palace, Copenlingen
elections (chart)
26
(Photos)
Fig. 3 Governments, 1945 -73 (chart)
6
11
Fig. 6 Old and new campaigning methods
Fig. 4 Results of parliamentary elections
(photos)
26
(table)
14
rig. 7 Prison facilities (photos)
37
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Government and Politics
A. Introduction (U/OV)
The Darlisil Government is a eorlstitutional
monarcliv and a parliamentary democracy that
scrtlpilloodl respects the citizen's perso rights and
liberties. The Kingdom of Denmark is in fact g svrn led
b it Prink N4inister and his Cabinet. who are
rc %Ixinsible to ;1 oni *lrra] Ila rliatrite11t, the I'r lk cfirr.
lieeatese� of the Small size of the country. the
Ilolnoge of the popiliation, the effectivcrtess of
loc:ll elective hoklies, and the efficiency of the civil
service, few local or regional problems exist that are�
not considered with utn- by file si atiortal goveriltnent.
The efslcierle% of governitivi tai processes is re iuforerel
by a JW( S -11 I a lrr0aldC SVI 'ViCe which disc lllinatl� a
broad Spcctnim of information a opinion to :a
Politically e1149111CIMI :11111 rcslxlnsibie pliblic. Au
independent judicia disprnsing equal and btirllallic
Justice .Serves as all effective guardian of individual
rig
The Danish cilizen displays an tulcollirnonly Iligh
inlerrcl in the coll(1110 of tilt affairs of Iris eotenim.
Undemotistrali.ve by nature, lie expresses Ili% cYln(erns
peaeef illy through normal political channels.
Although voting is lint coitlpulsory by law, an avertge
cif 8O% of the adtill popillattioll has Ixtrticip;ltad in the
I t national elections since World War [I. Approri-
niately 785 to 80 Cll%torlla 0% parlicipate ill local
elcctiulls.
Political life is chartelerized by stability and
comprnlnkv. As its tilt olbrr Scandinavian comitries, a
rnultilxirty syslem hinctiorls with relative efficiency
because of the essential pragmatkin of Danish
Politicians and a lack of divisive issues among the
populatioll. Tile Social Delnocriltic Party. vllile
carrying oil its prr-11'orld War ll rule as tilt- leading
1olitical force, has -cell its strength eroded, first b y tilt-
rising appeal of parties to its IV. 1`1 .tied then, singe IWis.
by [lie enhanced popltiarity of lire partim- to its right.
In IV)$ the Social Dentocretic Party yielded tin- reins
of government for the first tinlr in 13 years Io a (-e
right votifilion of the lt;((lic.11 f.ihrrasl, Moderate
Liberal, altld Conservative Parties. iteturtiirig to power
in 1971, [he Soci :kl Dcnlocr,lts were ritprndcnl for
their phlrallity of one 'kite on file 5111311 'Socialist
People's Party and on the consistent support of one
(nett of two) Creenland and clue (out of two) F;teroese
deputies. A liberal proportional representation system
cnalurages the existence of minor parties.
Danish goverriruc11ts have Imen gcncrally stable and
effective, despite the fact that 9 of tilt' 11 Ixl_5t- World
War 11 governments have n ot held it padiaruen ilTy
majority. With the exception of the A pril 1953
Cabinet. which was dissolml to allow dections mider
[ht,� new CoTistitution, tilt- life of the average
government has Heel, nearly 3 y'eari. National
dections nuist he held at least e -I y
I'he ntaejor donicstiv issue that fornierh troubled
Danish Imlitical life have geo emilly been resolved.
Palrliamrntary govrrnrnent, free enterprise, and like
welfare system are accepted by all %ignifi(mnt txslitical
p a rties. Differv cente ab elklt the r;Ite of exlxk llSioll
of the state welfare %v%teni, the extent of government
controls Oil busillvss, and, most recently, title
desirability of alntioucd %ocializaltiort in the labor
force �the iollx%ition of "a- Lonoinic democrat
Yar {ie's tend to represent parlictliar t,aulonlie� interests,
which tile) hope to advance through mane�tiver and
ermiprunlise in tier delicately bahiticed mullilxtri%
parli ament. Although po %(A% War it goyeniment%
have taken .ill 111 intcre5{ in intCrn;itional
political affairs, they -Fill devote tilt greater measure
of their energit-s to the regulation of the d onlesli c
eckmotily and insprovelnents in the (piality of Danish
life.
its isolationist tradition shattered by the Certnan
wartime occupation. Dentmlrk has chosen it) look to
regional and ,world organimilions for its national
security and veonotnic well- uerrig. Denmark has lien
a nlernber of the North Atlantic Treaty Organivaition
(NAT01 since 1949, although its Lonlntilrttent to [lie
g(;lis of lilt Wmtern Alliance has at tinsty bccil less
than wholelleartcd. The Danes took their most
drak kmtwa lotAing stela by aix to the
Ellropeall Conl:llunitiv% (EQ dimugh the ncloher
1972 iational refercrtdtlm. Denmark participates
"vtive�l)- ill the Unittxl Nations arid, like other
Scandinavian t,n111itries. reg ards it as a fo r o lll from
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I
which a more effective international security system
may eventually emerge. 'rhe Nordic Uttnlcil provides
the mechanism through which Denmark may
coordinate its activities with its northern neighbors.
The centrally controlled police system is folly
adccpuate to the needs of the small cammtry aid enjoys
the respect and confidence of the generally well-
ordered and law- abiding population. A special section
of the pxoliee, the State Police Intelligence Service.
maintains intenial scettrity. Careful not to infringe on
(lie liberties of the sensitive Duties, it keeps close watch
oil the very few ptAcmtial 5ubvemive'S,
B. Structure and functioning of the
government (UJOU)
1. Roots of the System
'rhe Union of the Danish Viking tribes into tilt!
semblance of a nation state may lot traced to the loth
century---the reign of the elected King Corm the Old.
As national tattity was consolidated iro the suceecYiing
reigils, Ilre kh1gship became hereditary-. it siin il-
tancousiy evolved in irregular fashion front a limited
motl:archy, to art absolute monarchy that endured
anachroltistically mail mid -lf)th cetailry, to tore
colaslitulional monarchy of the present era. The
continued acceptance of of least nuntiial hereditary
princely rule stems in important measure Fr0111 the
ability of the monarchy la conform wills the
aspirations of the rapidly rvolving; society.
From the 15th to Ilse 171h centuries Danish Kings
were subjected to much the same pressures as
Monarchs elsewhere io Europe. Efforts of the nobhN to
establish felidalisln as it existed in Euntpe to the south
were resisted and finally crushed by King Frederick Ili
its IWYO, after mismanagement and it military dcfe;at
lsad brought Ilie country to the ildA of collapse. 'rhe
]loyal Act of 1665, declarieig the monarchy a )soleltc,
endured for nearly 18:3 yeats. Supreme lmlitical power
now rested with life King, who recstabi i sited most of
the old Norse privileges aid brueg ht the peasants and
burghers tinder royal protection. Duriig; this pxriod
the Kings were gertenolly energetic and Fair- rrtioide�d
riders, alld justice. on the whole, was cblsplCIISM
equally through tlsc courts.
BCCiatlSe Denmark was somewhat alt of the
mainstream of European polilical development,
influences of the 181h century Eoilightcnmeut and
French Hevollllitlll felt ill Copenhagen wen largel
confined to the social and cullnrll. As long; as an
adequate and growing Measure of social justice was
assured, by standards that prevaiiiug, snarly
thoughtful Danes as late as the Napoleonic era still
believed in benevolent despaitisrn. B% the mid -19th
century, however. Dea nark became cittlght top in the
general European quest for democratic political
reform. in 1848 King Frederick I'll sensed a
groundswell of opinion against (lie absolutist system
and on the request of a delegation of leading citizens
quickly granted his people the right to have a
collstilution. The document was promulgated in June
18-19, and the modern era in Danish political life
begirt. Since then Denmark has been ruled by a
governmental assembly, originally consisthig of two
charnbers known as the Polkeling (lower 11011se) and
Larulsling (topper ho(ise). The Kings position was
defined coastitutionally. and most Danish men were
gr,auted the right to vote.
Although the Forins of Danish democracy had been
established, the reality was slov. to come. The last
three decades of the 19th ceotiry were given over to a
struggle for supremacy between the parliament and
the King. The Agrarian left (Veirsfre), the larger
political grouping in the Folkethig and the forerunner
of the Moderate Liberal Party, oplxtsed [lie practice of
personal royal selection of (lie Cabinet, which
normally meant that govenlrnent ministers were
members of tine minority right. Finally, in 151(11 the�
King; was obligeti to concede, and in that year lie
selected a Vcnsfre Cabinet, like first havil!g the
cnfidenm of a majority of the lower house. A factor
in that result had been the introdiicVon of [lie secret
ballot, also in IM. A new Constitution in 15117
further liberalized the system by granting the ballot ill
Folkcling elections to all persons over 25 years of age.
including omcra and servants. Thus. parliamentary
democracy developed Ito Deninark iillich as its the
other Scandinavian countries-- thrnug;h esseiWaally
peaceful cvoli11011.
2. Constitution
Since 1849 Derunurk has had seven Constitutions.
Fivo fell within the period 1849.66, and tilt, major
number of these served principally to adjust Ilse
stormy relations between Denmark proper turd its
Crowd 1.:1ndx, tilt f)ichies of SchlCSwig :n d holstein.
The Constitution of 5 June 19.53. which is still in
effect, lxorrows lill, rally fn>rn 11ty CAmstittllion of 1915,
which provided Denmark with a centraiired liberal
democratic goverttmeM under it conslitutiomal
Monarch.
The 1953 CAmstilution, stemming; from pre- -World
Nkar 11 demands for further drenocratizatinit and
intensive postwar sludy of those donlands- l,mtight
2
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major changes in the structure and function of Danish
national politics. The upper chamber of parliament,
the Landsting, was abolished, as *vas the overall
parliament name, Rigsdag. The new unicameral
parliament is called the Folkcting. The voting age was
reduced from 25 to 23 years, and subs in
1961. by amendinent, to 21. The popular referentlulli
was introduced, thereby enabling minc:rities of out.�
third or more of the parliamentary membership to
transfer the final decision on most categories of
national legislation to the electorate. Requirements for
amending the Constitution were eased. and in a
highly controversial move provision was made for the
nllimate delegation of powers, normally the
prerogative of national aisthorities. to stiprariatioual
authorities established is the furtherance of
international lase and cooperition.
Parliamentary rule, as upposed to executive fiat, was
guaranteed by a prov;sion that no minister may
remain in office after a vote of no confidenec. If a vote
of ecusure is passed against the Prilne Minister, the
government m ust resign. Parlian w given (lie
atri::ority to apl)(iirlt out or two public affair%
Commi.C5i011erS (orrlbudsnian), whose function is to
investigate cxmiplaints by citizens against the tuanner
in which state and local officials observe and apply the
nation's laws. By a separate Act of Snccession of 1933,
the line of sue-tessiort to the throne was broadened to
include females, though with niale heirs still receiving
precedence. Constitution Day, celebrated annually on
5 Jllne, commemorates collstililtiollal evolution ill
Denmark.
3. Executive
The Danes. while explicitly spelling out several
innovations ill the 19,.53 Constitution, left intact such
pnrtions of their basic law as seemingly provide for the
dominance of the King loon� Queen) in the entire
scllenit of government. 'Thus, the Constitution iu
theory gives the Crown wide powers and broad
discretion in their lose. It states th the Monarc holds
legislative Ixwer jointly with the Folk a n d that
lie ju)ktiesscs the supreme executive authority in all
national affairs and expresses it through his roillistem.
Figure l broadly outlines government organivation in
Denmark.
The CAMStitrltiall merely JX!rpetuatcs the polite
fiction that the Crown rules, as well as reigns. In fact,
the Qoc^erl, although not quite ImWerlcss. is very
'Fur u currrnl litlint o! key powenmtrnt officitth plea.- tonwh
Chieli or Sl and Ca binrt Members of Foreign r:m
pubbstird numthly by the DIrrrtortte of int-ltikritce, (:ellfrtt
1nte11igrnsr Agency.
LEGISLATIVE EXaCUTME
3.
CMPaM L OF. STATE
QUEEN
fetkctin CABINET
(179) Prime Minrs-er
Ministrim
Agriculture
Foreign Affairs
Budget and
F-eign Economic
Economics
Affairs and
Commerce
Europe Market
Cultural Affairs,
Relations
Disarmament, and
Greenland
Underdeveloped
Housins
Countries
Interior
oefense
justice
Ecclesiastical
Labor
Affairs
social Affairs
Education
Traffic and
Finance
Environment
Fisheries
Provincial
Governor
l�VEL
seam.
autonomous
asnetss
tiltKhed to
rarlous
ministries
KWIQNAL -AND
LOCAL L LEVEL
Governor of
Copenhlsen
Provincial
Council
Rural Municipal Fawn
Council Council
City Council
Executive Council
Control T" fkcgsr
s
AesMnrNllfry ,llnrarirnt
FIGURE 1. Stnrcture of governlrlerlt {U /0U)
nearly so. it is Ilse Pritnc Minister and the Cabinet,
tiding in the Quecu's name, which exercise the bulk of
the executive power. Probably the Queen's most
significant indety" dent power lies ill her right to
apivint the Prime Minister anti the Cabinet ministers.
But here, the Queen must consult with parli,amentiry
leaders to determine the public swill, since the Cabirlet
may be dismissed by a vote of no confidcncv in the
3
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Fclkctitig; (;lily when the political balatiev is obscure
dot-% she tentatively act with indelmitierice.
Again, the Comstilution gives to the ;Monarch file
cletermirvilion of the member of government ;ministers
and the (list riblllion of responsibilities armotv them;.
Ilowevvr, the fiscal powers of patdiament are such as
to preclude the Crown from exercising these
prerogatives, ever; if the "iortarch were of a mind to
do so. The Queen presides over the Cabinet. which
W h en ilteetilig �it}i her is ca l led llte D of St ale.
This highest executive bod (may also include the royal
h eir ap ill its deliberltions �hell lie of she is of
age. The Ceonslitulion regtlims deal all Bills and
important governtucut measures lie discussed ill the
Coluicil of Stale, exccpl when the \lomarch is
prev from bolding such a ineeling. In prictiev,
the exception has generally proven the mole will( the
King, or Queen "emtrustili the discussions to the
Cabinet presided over by the Prime Nfinisler. It is here.
that [lie serious deliberations of (lie day iaake pl,icc.
and a d ecision, once retielered. is (lien transmitted to
thr, Queen. To lam ome effective. all government
decrees and legislation require the Quees'x signature,
but this endomineni has become a itiere, formality.
Powers granted to the Crown b y ;lie Constilution
and exercised ill its behalf by the I'riuttl \1isistcr: and
tha C.�ibiltet include the aniduct of foreign affair~. tiles
supreme anlliorily in the direction of military action,
acrd the exercise of emergency txiswers. l it each
instance, }l(ow(!Vcr, the Polkeling has it check ot
exec.nlive action. The govertiment is mitstilutionally
witstraiiied from slaking any (major foreign policy
decisrol witholrl first conslillimg the Foreign Affair�:
0o mimittee of parliamleml. EAcept to repel armed
alltack, military force itlaly Prot by lined al ally
foreign comilry without tho cortsent of llic Folkclirlg.
Provisitoual laws issued dnriug the ,lbscme of
parliainew iw.o later be approved by it.
The Cabinet may propose legislatirm. It appoints
civil and wililary officials, grants pardons and
muriestics, a ild through 1 I use c oll ive org altis it enforces
llte laws of the land. 'The C711)illvt may be supporard
directly by only a 7mirt(arily of the parliatm� ilary
mcsibcrsllip. lit such a ciremnstamee. it th on
the occasional support or at lean neutrality of one or
a mither party all grotip of depltlivs mot represGptt'd in
the Cabisrt. Oilly Ilya formal vole of noconfidenee is
the Cabinet obliged Io resign. With [lie pro formal
approval of tfie Queen, llte inslallluil Prime N mister
may dissolve [lie parliatlient lit arty lime quid call for
tlew cieclionx.
C.ibinet imriubers Illaty lit: reemitcd from outside the
ranks of the Fotkoing, Imit this 1s d olt cltstomary.
Prewincls parliame'1ltur' experience, or high position
within a political party, or technical ex1wrtise helps
qualify a perom for;; Cahiuvt jiusition. Ad m in is trative
ability and persoaablene%ss are mattlnal talents Saud to
b e l o o ked for in dxatemtiad ministers.
The Prime i\litlistcr i% llte political head of the
government and oversees political affairs generally.
Ile stay also choose to take personal charge of certain
areas of national policy. Though subject to the
pleasure of the Prime Nfirtisler, the ot her ministers still
cmjoy some degree of aulonotmy. The implcnienlalion
of a law normally falls toll one msixmsible minisler; ate
has llte right to issue rules ailed reguht ions a f fecting
tbo.e agCtkViVS Imder his jtlrimlic'tiona and his decisions
ill adinhkkimlive tnaltters carlmol be appeallcd. Ile is
tadministralively :sid legally resimnsible not only for
his own acts list ulscl for tlu;se of his subordiitales.
The number of ministers and their deputies are
solijccls not treaded by any cwnstilulional or statutory
provision. The I97S Cabinet of 1'6 tile 4 \1inister Anker
Jorgensen enamil ssed the ustiall range of respon-
sibilitim associated with a 11'asteril style democralle
govertmacut. 'There h as been a gradual proliferation of
ministries over the years. first emablished were the
A�linistries of Foteign Affairs, War, Navy, Finance,
and Justice, all of which elate from the advent of the
miodem democratic move.tmcni im 18 -18. The ((limber
of ministries has varied nec'ccortling to the imporlatacr
atlached to the various sectors 4 the natinmal life at
various times. I'oreigil Affairs, jiisticu, Finance. tile
mtilil'.ary de palrtlnmils (ainalga imbied into 0efNINC ill
1950}, I-xvIesiustical Affairs. and Ediieatiou have beerl
firmly established. Other ministries have often been
subdivided or merged, not infrcqucntly to med
certain exigencies, such as (lie balaaciug of pally or
personal ambitions within a coalition goverunlcml.
The m Illei liational administrative
scene and imiotrol lm my of the large public srryice
organizations. .which ill other countries enjny an
aiulonotmmis publie or private Talus, 'The Director ;ales
Central of Post and Telegraph is a Major cramponcut
of the Ministry of 'Traffic and l:uvironuuut, Tlic
Millisler of Budget acid ELotiomius presides over the
hoard of directors of the National Mink mid the
Wiiislry of Fivance. cxerls influence through its
a1ccoilnt art the jlallk, Lackilig a health ministry,
Duimiatrk hats instead a \'attiortal Board of Wall],
(Stjadhedmlyrelccrt) ,lot directly incrorpomIC(I lit any
ministry bud closely nloniloted by the Nfinistry of
Interior, to whiell it is ldttmiately responsible. fladio
and television broadeasls are lllc rntomopoly of F;atlin
Dcnrn;irk, a tislilie iuslitulimi direcled by a council
respossil.oIV la the MitliStcr of Cultural Affairs,
I Nsarmarsenl, and Undertlevelopetl Counlrie s.
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DcspitC the lilllitalions placed tipon the Queen's
read power. tier ro le as the personification of -Danisli
nationhoo=d accords her cYlnsidcralilc prestige. 'I'Ilc
vinbodinient of a millenniilm of 1)anislh history, the
C:rc
slit k to t1e twill elf lite storm reprt:uitt:ttive- jxtlinlarly
edcetcd.lower'lempse (Folkcling) dltring the Formative
years of parliatnentary. democracy. In its later years
the !.atrlifirig fell to the po li tical Co ntrol of l ira m a j or
parties, whereafter it rattle to 1.-v. regarded as an
art :ic tie holdover from ea rlier c'ok pts of
political ur;unii itiun. Ili the intemst of n+ meratic
efficiency,' t }it. Etplwr lionise was finally discarded,
alit# will it another elr ne=st o the checks and
balances milcomitant
institution of (lie impular refcrendiitlE .iti'.19;xl (see
below),limughl parlianientary drrrtoeiacy hi Den FI
to its. jiurest state,.. licgros over the derilise of ate
Lelrldslirig, eWelit 0111mig a handful of snitch.
a nsen�atie.r�, ltsivc l:tr};E 1� cli+.ip,tt "re,
The Folkefing bas 179 mouser [iy vonstitutional
p two n{e,rnbers Te :epmstitiicric .ill
Cre enl :r1-ld and two in 11 vacr oc. 1slatlds Wli lc the
nvvrseas representatives have not n orma lly vb te(l oil
inamland issues, there has Iicelt nu 'Lonstitittional
restriction preventing them from doing so. As t he
legislative majorities needed to si�at goyerntnelhts o ld
(o effect legislation becarne ilureasingl (liffictil.t tit
command, these governments in the. closc'fy divid(ld
Folketing, particularly in the 1976 tended to press
the l:ue"Nse and Greenland representatives into
participating in decisions oil all issues.
Every metuber of the Folkaiiig no us[% lie at least 21
years of age. He is clectctl for 4 -year terra Irul tnav
serve for a lesser period. delxnc#ing on this life olf tic
Fi)lkef ng. 'rlic emphasis iti the elective process is.lnore
ofterl ors .party ,than on the ability or charin of the
iti(livicival candidate, who, as in the British system. is
frequently not a resident of the (Ytmtit.ueney iit which
Ike runs. The resulting concentration on uatieinal
rather than on local l;: rty platforrits tends to
devinpliasize ]rarely local cirnsideratimis and to
uncotlrage a stmliger vviolral autborih�. It also
rm(Iedines the essential similarity of probtenEs �lbc
lack of marked sectional differences throughout this
small 114mogerleoas kingdom.
A tiewly elected Folkelting is required to c runic
within 12 days after election clay and May sit
contilmously for year. The parli;: nentary year lasts
from the fits( Tucsday in October until ,tile same
Tuesday of tits foliowilig your. During this spall.
meetings are called at tilt ithitiativc of the presiding
officer, the Speaker. and may nlso be coiled by the
Prime Xliuister or Iiy ruilptcst of two fifths cif the
parliamen me nibersbip. A majority of the total
ineillbership conslinites a gtiorutn. I1ec lings are
usually public. 'I'll( Cmistitution inquires the Prime
;vliniste'r to deliver a state of the llatiort nits >ager.aE the
attuual eip wing session or parliaiuenta 'ri, ngolar
parliamentary !w%sions are held at C:
1lalaix in Copenbagv'ii (Figure 2),
The lidketirs; has a strung scrise of its own
sovemignt; it �j, self governiog.and acts as judge,of its
owls behaviof is member may be pr(ue('nted or
iriipriumed without the cYiri,;ent of t lie Folkeling unless
he is catiglht in the act cif �crimmittilig the crime.
Folkefirlg.is ruled over [IV a steering crinirnittee the
1' residijllil, file clarrlillalil f igu re of vll is t }le!
Speaker, tisually a member of 010 leading lxiliticul
party. Four Steptity spcakerti and .fitter parliamenlun
seer( +t.t;icK, t}ie ddlter 1lavirig linniur}' nslxihsibiiity tit
cotnit l#ic votes round mit lht lr;islative lhicrarrhw.
,Lluclt
(117 of parlian. Bill i.r earded tin in
conmtitim', whow resixiEisiliilitics have grciwn hv avy
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since the inauguration of the unicameral system. The
constitution stiplilates that there shail be al 'Porcigil
Affairs Committee and reyui?es that the executive
branch L n stilt it "prior ten the malting of any decision
of major importance to f treign ixolicy." The I rilkefirtg
decades `14mm tenn to tcmi what ollicr regularly
established committees it Shall have lddilionally, ad
hex committees may he forrtlec[ to study particular
bills, "T e stablished L'IimmiItees, of which
there were some 20 �odd in the i 972 -73 session, av erage
arutlod 17 members each.
Mint of the important bills submilled for Polkeiing
Consideration arc presented by the government, but
private ineinber !ills are also allowed. After the first
reaedingof it draft bill, a ditarmigh.studyof the measure
is norma m idertaken by the appropriate regularly
constituted Folkviring Co m mittee, a specially
appointed art oleic legislative commission, or in mmic
irlslatues, both. To lac emlctrd a1 Bill roust survive
c6lical exarnirlatiorl ill committee, tangle deliale ilia
the floor, and three parliamentary readings.
1-xce +ptions: to this rule are resolutions and tre�aly
ratifications, whieb normally require of t.% two)
readings. Final decisions on hills are elude by the vole
of at singge majority of the palrliamciltary e111orurn
ainstitutionit4 defill(xl ,'s "mores thin one lialf the
members." (bleu passed by the Fvlkeriing. the bill is
autornalivalliy signed 4)v the Monarch and [lie
resixsu m inister, ufivr whiell it b ec t nllo w lase.
Control over taxation, toe noising of public loans,
natteralirltion of aliens, mud the v%leat to ��hied adieus
Ima1y own real procxrrty a1re the v- selusive voticen; of tile
6
Folke ling. In order to pn -clude hasty considcration,
the Coustillltion prescribes that it finance brill for the
coming fiscal year he laid before the Folkethig by the
goveroment not later tha ii 4 mont before the
begilining of the ne15 fiscal year. to the event th it
spilt'
it-,' that the finauice hill will not be passed lw.forc
the cnnimerlcemew of the new fiscal wear. a
provisional appropriations hill must Ile introduced by
the government for interim authorization by the
Folkeling. T h e Constitution pnihihits ttie passage or
new tax laws before: the Folkctbig has classed a firlatit-v
or provisional appropriation bill for the fiscal year
affected by the finance. measure.
'file Danish political system is weighted ill favor of
p ar liament. rile Fulketing la x ill har,cl the destiny of
ally Cabinet or illcmbe..r thereof by its power to brim; a
rate� of mlr volifideiiee. Parliamentary members, with
majority approval, may direct it formal interpellaltionl
Eo a minister. A reply is normally retil6m] within 10
days, r1 member mlav also seek inforination from a
minister with the passible imlent of harassment or
ernbammsttlent, by diredi it question to him dmriug
zinc .weekly parliamentary gileslion hour. The
Falkcfirig mall' alppaillt S c elrllillitle`V.S to
investigate ministerial activiticx tenth also may impe tell
a minister and cauu him lu be tried by the Court of
the 11valm. 'These Iwo pnxvdores, investigation ;Inc[
illilvae'hlme'llt, alTe rarely IISe:d.
Another hasic sourm of control over the ext- crotiye is
the Folkehrig's ixnwcr of tiler parse. 'Through its
prc�mgiltive ter ;oaks on firt.111M bills and the-ri to vole
appropriations and taxation invalsures, parlialmcnl
r�. YOOiihlY .99ffYlR6aAP^u'..ru.w,`... r r
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FIGURE 2. Owistionsborg Palace, Copenhagen. The
royal residence, the seat of the Supreme Court, the
Ministry .of' Foreign Affairs, and the Chamber of the
Folkefing. (aboveY{UjGUi
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f..n....i .....w zd..: n...W.. -h .s "iti.:..: v... ......i. iaa......r:.'...i r.. a -n a r., b. a. sr '..:...r -A-,. .4.y.- :^:.tS. "tiw.
r]
r
LJ
ON
dire,-!IV influences lxilicy. Further safeguarding its
dorninvurt jlosition in money runt: cis, the Folkeling
appoints auditors, whose jail it is to check thefirauncial
accounts of li te ministries. As Mentione earlier, t he
parliumentary Foreign Affairs Committee intist be
consulted before the government` tinclertakes a major
-let of forcigp policy.
Dcmnark, along with Sweden, Norway, and
Piuland, has adopted the institution of the
onibudsmmn, or public affairs commissioner. The
l)anCS sLetcptcd tIlis uovcl institution i 1953, just 13.1
years after its creation by the Swedes. The 1953
Constitiltiiin provided ,for tike upimintntent br
pa7liament of one or t%y(j persons to protect the rights
of the individual Dune against official abuse. Since
the inception of- the office lit 1955, Deriniarkrhas had
only one ombudsman, although two arc aulhorized l,y
the Constitution. The first person appr�ntcd. to the
office, 5lerphen llurviti, 1, l,1)., a Hig rcrjxctcd
professor of eritn.irial law, was sncceetled in 1971 by
Lars'N'ordskiw Nie i. 1.. 6., the former Director of
Prisons Administrations. The ombudsrrian may
investigate national g"we"Imcut officials of all grades,
i teluding those- on [lie ministerial level. Certain Ioval
officials. are included iii his purvicx, but not lite
judiciary.
The ombudsman may l ook ililo cases. make
eriticisms of official conduct, "110 turn tile public
spotlight o inji,sticei bill he may itot carry out justice
b y 41ims.A Inst ead. lie may snake -Leomr nendatio ns
to p a r liament or the c arts. fie renders tie, annual
nrport' to the Frolkeling, tit whose pleasure isc serves.
(lie most be- reappointed after each general election.)
lie receives alxlul 1 ctiomplaints a year, up 32So
over the period of the latter 1956's: -nd early 19CM. of
these, about 7.3% ate, rejected as invalid. 'rhe
,'emaiuing 25% are then investor ulcd.and thkint one
fifth of these culotiriale in ecnstore from the
orribodsrnan, sir hi referral by hinf of the cases to: the
Public 1 or late courts. The critical attitude
toward the offidolls official. Cot1111lon to the
ega mile, puovidcs a symtxltltietiu climate
within which the ottibudsman may operate. An Ills
nearly tw'a d ecades of service, the umb6dsinan has
hewme one of Denniurk s mo=st influential figures.
While tale Danish legislators niny feel confident of
their ability to keep the'cxerutive hrarteli'in line, they
also the aware that they and their work, sire stilled io
the judgment of. the elector ate, whiell at bast once
every v1 years has the right to deprive them their
hig prized po p osillon and pnw'cr. B means
of the jX)IMl :ir referendum, another innovation of the
19TA Cionstilution, Trost categories of the national
legislation may be subjected to [lie review of [lie
electorate and may on occasion be defeated, as
the goverrimcnt land lwvs in June 1963. One -third of
late nteinbers of the Folkrllitg inay deriand a
referendum, and if 601 It a majority of those voting in
the referenduin and not less than 30% of all eligible
voters sty "Ito," thin the bill is defeated. Thus the
mfereeidurn inav take the initiative fmrn the
representatives of the people squarely to the p:mplc,
providing a .further popular check on governine
pmee s%cs. Perhaps only among the Danes, and lileir
similarly pragmatic, homogeneous Scandinavian
neighbors. can so popularly responsive a political
system continue to stork LIffectivcly. Exe.nrpt from the
rcferendum are gills relating to government finance.
treaty obligations, and certain other special categories.
5. Civil service
Public servants in Denmark, like those Tit other
Teulo.niet anal some -Latin Fumpeaii countries, enjoy a
certain prst`igc in the society. Partly this stems fiuln
their relative probity asid effectiveness. Following a
probationary period. tenurei in the service is assured up
to t #le rank's dirt -ctl_� below that of ln'nister. Thus, the
Civil servant tends to share Milt the Mouueih the
continuous and permanent political tradition and
proOdes a steady hand for the exercise of lo:ig-
establislicrl policy, a condition highly agreeable to the
relatively smooith ru.siniug Danish welfare state bill
one occasionally disagreeable to a Cabinet minister
with new ideas.
The higher echelons of (lie civil service are occupied
almost invairiabl� by those with a niliversily
edtrcatiian. The prestige -that comes with an
appofi linent te public o ff ice, however, is not yet
mutchcrl by the pay scales which have laligitished
behind those prevalent in private industry acid have
caused the di4vctign of some hig #ier. exper!s friini
the pilb]ie: se wits". Decility iisiially lakes preoedence
over w:ariderlwQ In the Danish:charactcr, however. and
talc promise of a siMble licrlsion 1`1145 helped 'overcrime
such restive as ntav'exist.
A civ il`servanl nitly #v, discharged if the di- vision has
the concurrence of the appropriate boards and llie
elrnlxrte�.ot minister, but by tradition the' employee
enjn }'s :a high degree of'job.sccurily Ai id by regulation
is' protected against arbilniq r or dismissal.
Quuli:calio:is for rmpleiyment lend to he less
explicitly set down 1111111 in the U:S. system, altitougb a
ctlmpOitive merit tv. 'eal is generally'. ill effect. While
l#tc 'eivi servant is exlicetcd to be neutrat lit the
exercise of his duties. he is gunlinteed exemplar.
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freedom of expremivn in lm liti rs and is even permitted
to }role! elective Office fell the national or local level
without aacrifiev' of }iis }ecrree:tnc nl jeep slatus<
6. Judiciary
Danish law initially mved litllc to Romaii or
clminmi hov antcYceletils but, rather, had a history of
ils own. stretching.1xick at least eight crnluries. In Tile
year 1210 there were three sepa -atc geographic areas
of jurisrlietloll. caell with its own system of lac..
Jullanci, 'Lcahutcl, and,Sc;tura in ihr prescu# southern
Swedvu- The Jutland Code gradually eatile lit
supplant the others throughout the kiilgdorn. bul,was
them supplemmited�iu different regions Nvith diflerent
local vilactritcnts of Significance. fit MA a
LYllnp relic iisiye atn.11gatlll:ltiol1 to impose ultifortnity
was mithmakcrt, uml the C.mle of King Christialrl V
arts set down in the sum eding twsl t�cnturies.
however; rusk} additiosiA legal legid,alion, reflcelitig
Itn11; Iiultian and a.rtueirilt 1:11 infltirnocs, was
promulgatrd, .witholit bring incorporated into the
code ploper. Effor lit a, renmm altnaEl!ittitittlll!!,
begun in the mid -140i ceututy, culminated in the
passilge ill 14116 rif the Admiltistraliou of Justify Act
(Arts >>l.14oven). wh ich cellt into force in 1910. Willi
"Lehr: `th:ttl a thouwtncJ scc11011s, this ctiltttprchettziyc
stalile it a basic Civil C:ettle and sets forth legal
fxuccdelrr 'I 'll 1104111 civil and criminal c: ies A
conniireliansive Criminal C:ndc (straffelov) eras
collatcei .tktrrrngh a series of studies mt- 110ttlly
lermivatcd in 1923, and was firtaify appro atd
enarte(! in lt3:3U.
i'llc.l)arrish Criminal Corte is primari,'y concerned
ivil}i o f fenxis` c 4 crreril ?ti'estern usuge
as critncx against -,(Gust Ilk the Danish milld t }le
wilabilitaliliu`of the criminal takes preiAlvace hoth
morally and legally over retributive. justice. Sentences
genemily, are lerticnt,'aitd orison i lvimlinlent;; re flect
.111r .rnlighfcttccI penlre16 y frig which Scandinavia has
pitted iorld renei m' Deprivatimi of liltcrty rema
t primary penal felt It ,c &tkillat ad.'Itti specia
ccnsi(Jc.ratiorl. is .ucctrclerJ..tn rcrt:iin cases: the
llwlltiilly distlir�kit-fl, yolititfell offenders, atlt!'
Act iholkcs..`C:1lrilaI ponislime- t,0 and 19 64.
Since is o rld War 11 the Strcial. Drinacruts have
experienced a leadership pnblem,. its a sucressioll 0f
Socialist Pritne Ministers.
inisters failed to ,Copal prewar
,rtrongmap Scanning in leadership tlmllities or
en( 1urince. Halts Hunt rfl died in AIM ill 1445:
having: sery d Its Prime Minister for a I'A )-curs. I I. C.
I hinsen died i1t. 19 after heading tw governments,
luslillg 11 total o .5 Wean. Viggo Kaltlprtlanli retit"I
from the Prime Wilislry.itl 1962 fnrreltsons of lleullh
of let 211 )'CLIa 'servicle. jens.01 to,Krlg, tIli) at.agr47
hecume .1)cuntnrk's ymingest Prime Minister, Proved
himself 4 pnselliable and generally effective leader.
though not sei dvilamic aplxuling, or clever a titles INS
to ntaitttain ,fur the "�iri:il Dealovals their lxak
electoral strcngth'of the ea rly and ill let- l9[itl's: Ills last
politicid. struggle. was ill the out0mic a res(elridiiig
Siiecr.SS =i: notional referelltlim in which .111
ulprcctAented turnout elf ulnlosl W% of lltc elctitonite
allpmved entry of i}enm ;irk' into the 1 by a iititjoritj
of 63.5% 1'lic resulting internal divisiafis within the
SIM. h owever, alld e relatiltrish
J4 anti -E _MI1' ,;illy may }i:ive ,bumf actors in his
decision t(i reMgfi, 'Knig's iiiitiidly l ccontntyersiul
Sum mor. labor leuder An ker Jorgenson, seemixi nett.tn
dvillonstnite the .�lexibilit }y' "Ild overall leadership
Ciip,diililicS, .tti retnlltc (lie party fully nd elicit
c'iifisisient SFI'snl3Extrt in pilrlianteill.
14
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Krug and his several Socialist predecessors
tredltlefnally looked right, to the lefhving of the
Danish libaal movernent. as represented by the
Radical ,1.ilieral Party, for the support ncxdcd to form
a1 vialdc g lve nunent. Followving khe 19W election. in
-which the S46al Democrats lost 7 seats avid the leftist
Socialist People's Party gained [U, Krug tume:i instead
to the SFP and struck an infomial alliance where.by
social Democratic spollsored domestic legislation
would first be coordinated with the SFP. Kral s
seeming shift to the left represented a bow to political
pragmatism rather than an%� evident effort on his part
to radicalize Danish social dernocracy. Krag's shaky
rpoasi- coalition with the SFP lasted only 13 months. In
December 1967 six of the fornter foliclwers of Akseel
Larsen broke ranks over the continued collaboration, of
the SFP with the Social Democrats and- fornied the
left Socialist Party. Nonetheless, when the SDP again
as_surned the reigns of power in October 1971. it was
With the rlcr..&A parliarltclitary suPperrt of the rump
SFP, granted on rsscntially the s.tme amditions as in
1966. Within the SDP the debate contintws rx- gurditig
the appropriateness of the allialtty. in view of SFP
opposition to such' fundaniental Social Demcvratic
external policies as actessiotl to the E! and contin( led
adherence to NATO. Even the pragmatism that first
prompted the allia lICC is rlowy ellicstiortcd in tltie light of
an apparent shift to the right lay the Danish electorate.
The moderate political prlgnritism that enabled the
Party to accomplish vi rntich scents pitted against the
ideological commitmeiet of those who sec in thr.
aetivist Swedish social deinocrao. an orthodoxy they
wweitild wish it) Ilat restored to (lie Danish SDP. Such
durnestic .Imlicies as Minotnlic democracy� income
leveling, pnfifit.shariug,.alnd the participating of labor
if) management planning �coidd best he pursmrxl,
their feel, by looking to the left for support,
Rm-ognivillg tiler velfarisrn in Denmark approalchcs
sat,iratti6wand"thirl further ISIXaltielrl for its ext> finsion
would be intolerable. the new idwiogues sire urging
instead reforms lit the allocation of Ienefits that wvotlld
hilsten ibii leveling of inctmtes.
As cif. mid -19 3, however, despite the SFP alliatrace
and coiltintied internal] bickering, the SDP mmaius
Iltlached tar' relatively ntexlerate, fonvard Irtokirig
Ftimpican selcial democnicy. The party advoca les state
regillatieill ilk iridtlstn'.,agrielrlteln:, and 6)nlnlercc fear
the purjxi cif achieving maximum prpditcUon acid
the'reliy the.fiigliest Ixicsiblil standards. of living. The
SOciid Democrat 11* that 'proper holdings aEld
irireitnes lie sn 'ml;ulated through {trite anal sallan
ccmlmis, taxation, and. instal mei11611re.5 a to bring
obsM a Anow nearly eye�n distributions of etaltnlnal
wealth, F1111 employment, Lonsu protection.
fi
iidcyuate .housing. and eximmitxl social Ncrvi(s an.
seine of the ohjectivcw of their d0inestic pnigrain_ No
longer the partimits of econarnic nationalization, they
advocate the harmovliowi e-exxistemcc of private
enterprise, [lie coi)perative movement. and slate
c otegirise.
In foreign lxrlicy and defense matters the Si iatl
Democratic Party has altered its Imsition considerably
since World War 11, abandoning its old platforvn of
neutrality. pacifism, and disatrmantemt in favor of
enhanced cooperation aniong the Scandinaviatl
countries in all fields, economic integration with
Western lsnrope. and stanch supixitt for the United
Nations, as well as adherence to regional security Imcts
until such tune as ititernatiotial cvmdilions permit
eiisaritiameent w'iIh adr(Ittate controls. The� partystands
by its 1949 decision to enter NATO. despite the
continuing dissent of Socialist It-ft wirigors, The latter
eleincnt had 1wen partkdly aplaeased by the linil;iteral
hall on the preselicr of fowigli troops or nuclear
weapons on Dollish soif in little of ileace. But the
SDP's Inngstanding agreement with its political ally to
the left, the SFP, to press for ;k natiom:11 piebiscite oil
the�.gw,stion of NATO nirrtibership, was no;' how)red.
Instead. ill Felireaary 197:3 the SDP entered into a four
parly agreement with the Consenaitiyeeti, the Hastiest
Liberals, and the NUAvrate Libera N ;Io maintain
Denvnark's NATO force .levels niore or less at their
prrteent low state tllrou,,If 1977. E?or more than a
decade, largely hecause of lukew'artn Social
Derttocratic support. Danish troop and ntatcrici
contributions to NATO have fallen well short of
e'etmnittn:ent. Asa fitrther evide nkr of its outwaid-
looking stalrtty. the Imity is pledgmi to a prograin of
aid to lesser developed wmi^trim'.
As%befils Desk rmark's largest early, [lie SDP is closely
knit, well riltt. and largely Externally,
it eooix�rule% individually with other. 1XIrticill,trly
ElttntPean, Socialist parties, and Collectively wvith the
Socialisl Internatirinal_ internally, it 11.1.1I& se: ties to,
and to some e0vitl even sharrs its identity with, thr
Dainish.Federation of Trade Unions (1.0)arid with the
Urban Consumer CrNtlx:ratti.c �gssoe7ati;tin.
The SDP sprtnsors evoiiing classes in civic affairs.
Ixil�_lics, acid practictil and ac;ldentic stillit,vts.
According to tile? SDI' constitution, till? 'national
party congress is the most powerful organ. Mvetitlg at
least otice. every -i years, this body of about ,i0[1 voting
acid sornte 2M isoi voting delegates reline ents At
c�lettrritts ill the pairty orFallizatimi. One delegate� pef
1,(1[1{) ntiembcrs is'e leYitcd 7rorrl the 120 -mid dtstrld
orl;anii.ttiritt., .trill delegates with a u,nlew halt smaller
constituency repo -seat the provincial units, trade
unions, ctiopterattivos, and p6rty youth. The tx1rlgri'm
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theormicully determines basic party p olicy and elects
the" national officiwls. lit practice, however, Ihr
corgress tends to Indorse the recommends -flons of (lie
nodolull committee, although not without oc-
casionally lively debale.
The nulionul commilice or main board (hoved
bestyreLse) meets quarterly: it bandies party affairs
belweerl congreswes :grid largely determines programs
gild. the nontinaiiian of candidates to high party
positioo. The eoinrliiW,%c' also approves the nontina-
tians of all candid to tllc 1'o1ke,10 Two third% of
its �15 members are elected b y (lie I_Yl on, a
geographical. basis; (lie remaioder arc the nlenalx rs of
the e xe cut ive, colnrIlitlee, all o f whom are ex off do
The executive c6mini:lce (formtldrlgsudl;alget) ha
:is its: muiii funtlimis [lie direction of the party
fit latices, control elf expenditures, and the dutermirm-
tion of the budget. It is comprised of the chairmim,
vice. chairman, treasurer, abort four clecled
smielari the chairman of the party group. in -tile
Folkeling, two rcprrsentadves (:neluding its
chairman) from' (he LU a 0d clue from thy
6xiper4lives, a representative frt)m the SDP Yotith
UrganivAtion, the e ditor ill chief of lite Social
P erlkleratic newspalwr; Aklueh, the head of the
party's provincial pres`,,and a represertiaativta farm the
cabiltel if Ihr, burly is i11 Ikiwer.
b. Moderate Ubemf early
Unlike the enfeebled lilmraal movcrtient in other
western Eurojwaii comitries, i)anish l0wrallisnl. is an
active and thriving force, nodouhtedly- the secmd
siritrty organiiaitions. fart}'
discipline is considerably less strict than ill social
I)cmncratte ranks, and the party hierarchy is,-nmch
rnorr! lexlscly corp;unizrd.
In keepilig with its,,entphasis on self- reliunce,. the
!vt 1 has Ix-en h istorically' based on stomp, lo ciil units.
T national organiirtion was not even established
until 1929, and in 1973it remained m3ativel;: the
weakest arming the Significant 1xiolie's vis -a -vis the
l .oall (irg:lt117alik)tls:
All tile local party organi�railions Mthin all doctoral
district .are gathered into it mnstiluency org:inizartion.
Next co rues the pr o vincial orp ariiYation, and theci tire,
regional arguni7action, of which there are. three. on the
I ational level the iuuluu) ctinp;ress is theorclically the
highest tuilhtirity and decides all cpuestilms exinceminp
[lie M LP program, It elects tite .chairman and .vice
c h a {rin;trl, its well sis three nienlbers of the national
ctirnmittee. Delititrs scd of.. the party chainnan, the- chairinert of the
duce regional on anivatiuns; and three`oth er c cmix rs
o f t he ft:It1u11:11 C1111t1111ttCe, :lillnlitlJtl p:lrtY,'a
from Aity to
iA the sotChli i)emetc Mid the Moderate
l iberals the C"nservltiivi- spOlIsur eve .IMi -classes
thmuglithe Pop ithlr.Educalion ll Assetciation:
lircausv of its large ant) istflilclici -11 press; the
C:nn crvatic Party: rna still curry its .titessiige
cffeclivciy: Altli(itigl the luity enjoyed ottly' 1 -Y
voler support acs mling lu r eys i11 earl 4 1073, the
Couni-ative :prms circul ;Mon ren a I neirrls� on
third of: the' lriial ltild i r1clildO t he la rgest.41I.T'
circulati(in' 211 0 and 'second largest (Herlengskc
T(dencic circulation (50,(11x1) d1:liew. 1Vtlli :tlte
extTplioli,of the exlkinding H. T, there dries appear t:I
be an influellee of the
quality Conservative newspapers,
e. Parfie i of hff fir 141,
Tile' stntnghuld or. the Social Drrnrienitic. fatty eril
the icfrirmist sector :of the D1111i5h'P!PC has.lefl
lltc: lNarzitit .irvolnli(iiinrio re*lal.ivch little 1,reuthing..
niei in. .orgaltirel iii 11119 from :ir wing 'of tilt SUP, tllc
Comrtiunist V;uiy. if 1) cnlnark (60j made it
t'l'Spl'ctiihlC show lfl islative_ an(! erceulive 1) nelies of gover mmit and
sitli{rlification :ci goveM lenlal administration. It
23
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k
3
world t-liminatc s:i nie ministries and reduce t he simm of
atlncrs.
The ludellelide rils push a "sound" rnuinetary pi >licy:
liheraliwA bade, restraint oil taxatio and cxpen
tures, and a "Christian wav of life." Although willit%
to abide an "economically sound" social uelfam
prograru,.lhe Indeiwiedents would prefer thal'primary
emp si,s b e plac on in surance system. 'I'll( party
sujoixorts NATO and rec iticreased cxlvrndi-
tilmn. to me the n ation's military requirements'. Afti r
bring s!iut out in HKA and 1957, its first two elm -lord
tries,. thepart w on six and five sca respectively. in
the 14fi0 and M4 elections but fell ctmsiderably short
Of rook ting represcnlutimi in IV-Ai and 1968�
d. Liberal Center Party
The mtniber of liheral mavements fminded in
Denmark during the last IM years exemplifies
lih ubidin}; filillr ill indMdaalism. TIM latest,
the Libcrat Center Party, is the frail creation iif two
furkner, menthcrs r plaMd. ott the thr :inliinilrtarist trrntl of several cicc:ules. This ch loge,
e[mtin(iirtg ext enslim 0 ..Cos Nrlfum lx:nefits tind tier 'of semi" ter t hr[iught:surim.slig4it "impmvcnirnt iri tile'
ecr nuiuntint{ t trxms`: nee ded it) sustai �i them: phv+iril! dcfenSCs' I)(: wiiniark. k", the luthroak f
World.:.'Var::I1 to 'W A
Rcc[,gnirir,g that thrit t:lxcti arm tits sM-.o 1d highrxt in pt( miter .1939 Apturcntl}
the lrcc :wiirld: aftrt ihtise iinlx>retl. slit �lieir:Sacdislt ".however, thcre. was little, if any, tmprovemrnl in the
LYlil \I nc, tit! i t(1 14trir111S lit lil!`ti iiri prlr.ltverl to go'rucy +will k1) reskst aggrrsinta. l]ai,iti }r mllitam Fora\, still
on fnrtlter srici ;iliritiiin and wiclfiitis rit':'C4r rethri: wen inucle(liratc. ,ffnwd virttiei nii`rexi stance kl icri
tiyntrtnic eretrs�i,renrltss, whose itna- i'tlatiott, eg: Ilrc C:crman'i w Mgn`.foree,irrivcd on 9,April 1910 in'
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v olation (if the German-Danish mutu ntmaggression
part signed in ma 1939,
Supporters iif dis.lrmumeril.and nonalignment were
generall discredited as a re sult o f Da Kish expenernces
during World :War: Il The invasion :nerd occnpatime
crcated,' %Vldespread resolve that s[iclt' a national
disaster should hie er -I)c rcpi -W M. In the earl po, %var
Eicritx} ser was. sharp divider!: nonetheless; as
to what goal ao pursue: the Western Alliance a
Sendinivian drfense.ulliance. ar,some.new f orm of
neutrality. 1t was scion evident tliut militarv..
nonalignment, and reliance oil ihe ncholiils security
guarantees of fil United N utinrmwas air unre
elloiec in.a old thell diAdIng into wo.hntagnnistic
hliirs: A Scandinat.�ian defense systo appealed,
cniotionallv.. z tic the Dances bu e
t appeared .unftlsiblc
lieltbl in the f;ttc of groving Soviet puw*cr and iri light
o conflicting defense.: policies, intcreMs, unit Inlditions
:srtliing lllc ileticntiul nlcinlicrs"of sorb all alliance:.
After,vinsldera debate,' Ucntmtrk..rejeetcd bxitlt a
Sw'celltilt style nentrulity a nd:a Sc tndinaviarl defer
alliuncc`arid in _April M91 entered Nrl'I'O aliing uitle
N("iiv, -The` motion tea join: NATO carried. by an
overwhelming 1141 to 23 vote. 'with the. Sue al
Deinmrais, %Mcl(lernte Libe.rais, and Conwcrvulives in
so"I"part. the Justice P arty. split," and i he Gifninnunisis
an Radical: IJ ctt ilS :ill: sapp[)sltll l: ve n tuu ly tls:
O'N Itadicul t.ilrcrils softened their anti -NATO stated. IWA
tlsir. Immediate 'defection frorn the :traiditiollal
governing aIliancc,wilh 1146 Social Dcritncraiic.l'urly
c nst the latier c enrol) of file gnvcrtlmciil fmni':1915i}.t(i
Even ilfter;their: entry into NATO� thc. peones
ctintinued: 1) he stn w
irlgly- inflow, by tleeir earlier
tniditions, an(l.. lllei }lave :rentaincd less" chain: fully.
riimnliltel ref lane i, }!tone- eit }ter in attittide,or in tent'
"of finandal slipilint and towi co mmit ments,' A s lies.
of .1mlilical cYtritpr(Intiscs over,the )rats, purticulurly
hetwern`tile SiTi d Democrats and thew r IririFist,ll }ices.
ern file left pr6v011W the military establishment from
wacbing talc. status 0! 1111. adega:nte national defense.
felrcv Not'anlv:did the'miltion; vrrvici fait ll ulcer.
the NATO f( tree. "gals;`bnl tile}' even fell sliiirl oaf floc
nuii (na! goals cC clown .iii flee hi+fcnsc Act of I91t
Wiled! io.Juru had been reduced I'min "the gcual+ set
f[arth in defense lcy;ixliitieiri of IA3[1 =$1 [)vcr t }ee yciirc;
tile.. Icrms nF ary service wen: punixi a AlIv rc'clilcecb
su't mt ill 19}+3 cYtisuriptl(sin'`firilc was Set at ill] 9
months;
As im ieuircl h 114c thinness cif the.inilitinr Fiim(ti set
Mind. the Dunes leave' lucked .t lie 'txililiraI will to
fin[IrtC'e
an adc(tllate defense CSt [llli511111�nt.`,,xpCll( t:
I tires feir th( ntilit:iry zrclor have triditiomilly lxWll
U1111421 e� ;s ilimplar. ih.ut. ttutbleis for tlia,salri.tl sector..
and as file threat of attack fr(>m the East has seemingly
waned, so has' the inclination of political leaders to risk,
public disfavor by bolstering.,the defense budget.
Nevertheless, the. agreeincilt ,reached in February
197M among the flier slmng.^sl lxililiral lartirs, the.
SDI the Coi servativcs. -ihe M 1.1'; and the 111
fngeth(:r. conl 9U;` of the Fo lkrllag s eats.
re[lms[ttts. sginc Enikirig �F -flee: davina'ard slide: in
NATO alnlmilinient. It provides over a -1 -year period
fo r:a 61 increase in. real lorries far, the defense budget.
Although;ctinseription time vas reduckt, overall forme
levels were.. cut far.less.�thare had been feawd falling
just sh I tly short of Danish 7 Defense .C'.umrnand
;3rnpnsuls �in all thine services. And.lhe agreement
Contains, tlimugh tite ii'eivly rrratrtl' Defcnsc ficview
Committee. a guarantee against furlher.cutc fortbc.a
ycar period. This cnritmittce, atnpnsecl''of twii
represcrltatives: each from the' four p[slitical partics
effecting the. 'Compromise must give unanimous
vollselit to any ciiariges in' tile; :defense.. budget;
cni slim the slrnitgly pot -NATQ C.tinscivutives and
41(x }enitc l. to exercise a clo:
Perhaps in( 15l 'Slb*113fii7llltlV. the 197,3 ;defense
agree.mcnt, fallowing as i t does nanish itcteKsion.to the'.
FC, .lcaders evidence a: sense of
mission in their snpprort of internatnmal peacekeeping`
and least- West. "1ridgehnildinR efforts::
w.' T Urdtew Notions
Denmark was an ortginul ;member :of the United
Nations, has taken ai positive :role "in' U inner
councili acid out side ;activities rzd haWJustified its
own vctivlty in o her, international orgimizatirms on
the basis` of the` lsrinriples rif:: the VIN. Charter.
De.nutark's ro'W in dtn' Unitcd Nations is,Ivascd on a
strong iefenlrstC uttrae iron to the rancept of
international crxiperatieiit and is generally supportcel
try Ua :zrs cif all pnlitfr. {l hues :Tn the extent.. that the
Uviitccl Nation% failed tci live up to its original pmmisc
I s the guanrntor of inteniation:il sectjrilv,`the Danes
have been disappointed, ..but: tliev. have .shown :i'.:
reudinfisti to work fora stm- ngthening it its;prnctical
.prngrumz rind for itn cnliancrrticnt of its prcslige.
within the franvw(nk Detimark seek. the "Ile
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of a. conciliator, thotgh not at the expciue of principle.
Denmark supported the Security Council action
against the military aggression of North Korea in 1950
and hacked U.N. ffarts to "restrain the U.h.S:1i.
during its suppression of both tlie.11 unguriari Revolt in
the .full of .1956 and' the Cnmho Slovak bid for
Stwialisni %with- a.humun face in the late summer of
1968. Denmark has continued to play an active part ire
seeking a icsolution to the Arab Israeli conflict.
.Danish troops have served as u putt .of peacektyeping
farces in the Congo, Cyprus, and the Gaza strip.
CAipenhagen has occasionally expressed unhappiness
over the latenes. and paucity of U.N. fina� sing of
such operations. Together vith Nonvai S%,vedca. and
Finland, Denmark has moved to "talilish a
.permanent standby force of About 3,000 men, which
Can he placed .at the disposal of.the. United Nationsat
short notice if needed to meet an emergency.
Denmark_, through its membership con. the U.N.
C`.ommittee. ort' Decahoniraticon, has assisted at the
Birth of several new nations and has sotight to tm diate
in a rea s of friction betw Alm-Asian members and
the European powers. .A Danish tendency to
sympathi-,w with emergent nutions.has led to.friction
loctwcert Copcnhngzn und. other E:urnpean capitals,
particularly [.islxin. Danis,S etmtriloutitins to the U.N.
technical assistance programs ute among the world's.
largest whc :i tYtnsidered in lerma esf size of ilic Cottntn�.
The Dunes have followed closer- the U.N. sponsored
efforts. to reach .agreement Seri disarmarnen and have
regretted the lack Of progtMS in this area. lit find wwith
its fro gr>rntlr� cnunihatcd gcia] of genera) und complete
disarmament under international co:rtrol,` Denmark
has hailm' the Nuclear. Test Bare Treaiv of 1963 and
the' Nuclear Nonpro liferation` Treaty if 1969: It liar.
ctintintzed; to support the efforts of the C`.nifcmitec of
khc'.(:cnnrriittcc
not .Dkarmanient at C:ane.va: Tito
Qane�s,.: however, have taken 'the: NATG line three
disarmament accords mist lie hacked by effective
inspection prtrvisisins
Jk.= Frrrnpc
In the post War 11 pen6d the Danes have
showil somr1 eivalencein their relatianship tco their.'
.:`fellow F.urnpea,ns: A :pulil:call� arid'ccbnorrttetllv,`'
unified Europe an rntiein pms ecr, and vet for
small, prcttd, pnosperttts Denmark the" practical.:
consecluencc% pf.heing a part of such a`g" iath'are it
ca Use fnr' scinu;:vloubt: 1For: ilte bones': EUrnpean
economic:lntegration is more, attractive dwit:political
nnian, for Dcnmitrk must tra e. to llve.:De tin ark i_s.:.
ulmost bereft: of new; materials and must, in .older to
tin it its imwwts, and m its� high eeonumic
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standing, export one -third of its gross national
product. In the latter 1.960's nearly half of Danish
exports went to the UX -led European Free Trade
Association (EFTA), which Denmark joined in 1960;
2841: went to the European Econo�lie Gcltnmunity
(EEC).
.Although:comfortable and at home with the United
Kingdom and the other Scandinavian countries in
EF'T'A; economic necessity dictated that Denmark
Seek u close relationship with the EEC. Thou, in 1961
Denmark followed the U.K. example, in applying for
C:ommou. Market rncrnllership, The breakdowrr of
negotiations on the U.K. app!,ic -atiou in 1963 was a
hard blow to Denmark, for the Danes had foreseen the
acccplanCe of the United Kingdom as leading to the
entry- of Denmark. At one juncture, fonner Prince
,Minister Krag, reflecting Danish alexiety, :suggested
that the Scandinavian countries not await another
U.K. try, but .make a joint application by themselves,
a move vetoed by Norway and Swederi. The
reapplicalion by the United Kingdom in 1967 was
swiftly followed by Denrnurk.'s reapplication. In the
wrid round it was dearly understood in Copenhagen
that Danish entry into the EEC was no longer con-
tingent ter., British entry and that Denmark might
choose to proceed on its own. By mitt -1971 the Danish
bid to enter the EEC, now called the European
Communities, hail' not only the strong backing of the
Liberal-Conservative governing coalition, but of the
lurgc majority of the Social Democrats as well. Orlly
file far left, including the Social Democrats' SFP ally,
remained clearly opjxiwI_an opIx.ition apparently
reflecting the wishes of slightly more than on -third of
tlse population. It wads. a facial Democratic
gavcmrnent that ultim,11cly led Denenark'into the EC
on 1 January IW3, foliiwing the natiimal refcretedatn
of October 1972, in which 63.5% (if those
participating (aihnnst 9 of the electorate) voted
yes and 36.5% vole d "INC
Denmark has been art active member of the
Organization (or E conomic C and
Develilpment (OECD), fornwily_ OEE since its
inception and helongs to suckother regionO cc -ofiO nit;
orgurtizAdions anel internaitionarl trade' conventions as
the Eurpr :lot MUnetuty Agrcentrnt ated the Genera t
Agreement con Taeriffs and 'I'radc; (GA'I" ry
Growhig Da nish erii `iofe>trutiori :III the
et4ntliml&are'a hiss notllxtCneli to Idle pellmtieal sphere.
This rccervc has: ste met III' Iarxe tncasurre from` the
}rrtslxtit that a -1Vest I?urope to sets ties wouki lie
dominatecl'hy, lVe'st E:entriity still are irhjrrt ef Danish
di3lrust;aiO 11" Y Gaullist rrance ,with`its
ctintinentalist 'almpm,tih upilnila Gum U S. lit I. enee
1'he'`reservi stem5'iilsn fnnin cdisincliniition. to:omerge
s.
from the insular Nordic regionalism, where for two
decades the ethnically similar Nordic countries
coordinated their social .1mlicies with marked suctvss,
unfettered by any eortlplicating outside commitments.
The Nonlic Council was founded in 1952 to bring
together `annually the government minister: and
legislators of Norway, Sweden. Ireland, Finland, and
Denmark with its Faeroese self- govenling depend-
ency. The Ministers and foreign ministers of the
member countries usually meet twice a year, and
expects in various fie are in frequent contact
throughout the year. But the Council itself has no
power other ILL to recommend that member
countries act pursuant to its upproved resolutions.
Nevertheless, the Centncil has achieved considerable
,progress lot nonpolitical mutters, such as the
eslablishment of a common Nbor market, lire
elimination of passpoitts for travel within lite Nordic
area, passage of joint or reciprocal laws relating to
social welfare, taxation and the regulations of private
business, 'and coo ill llte communications and
transport fields. By provision of the Helsinki
Agreement of 19M, the Nordic countries '`ought" to
hold cimsultations before they take a stand on power-
political questions- in'intemational otganir lions. The
reasoning was that by reaching prior �agrceinent' in
their attitudes on major queslions in world polities
which did not affect their awn security interests,, the
Nordic states would he able to win far greater
understanding for their views as a united groan.. than
they would be able to do individually., Such
pri'mncultalimi has leemenc cuMnmary,
although
Copenhagen was embarrassed! in 1965 when it
introdieeedi without prior consultation a resolution its
the D.N. Geuertl Assembly concernil* Ixwil>le
sanctions against South Africa: Nevertheless, a
proposal. made at a Nordic C'Amnd[ session in 19; to
make precumesullatiou muodatolry Was rejected as
superflumous..
With EC accession lit January 1973. Denmark will
inevilubly be drawn into the West Euitipean orbit
With as yet, indeterminate effect opt Nordic
cooperation: The commt,sr. Nordie'laixr market, for
ezatuple, tritest now stake alirowamlcrs for Danish
commiln`ents and respF no mare. tllari l n :[IItQ, Furh`ls
h adet! !ii 'u 'chief cx1ristahlr %his has are itF. -m ore
aiYiclant: d elirneling'ati the sixG o Ilir
district: .Appiiinlyd ia the Mnnarclt on !hr
nVollirnriiif.itiou." leer Minister. elf. jnstive tlre
eisn.t :blc h.t elcreet rr5 onslltility f