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The article summarizes core findings of the Danish Democracy & Power Study (1998-2003) regarding changes in democratic governance & discusses whether they contribute to a decline or a modernization of democracy. It is argued that changes should not be evaluated by standards that are too strongly linked to the institutional structure of the past, that accountability should not be over-emphasized as a criterion of democracy, & that one should look for functional equivalents. The constraints of globalization for national politics, especially for welfare policies, are called into doubt, & it is pointed out that even the impact of the European Union (EU) is limited in many core policy areas. The EU may enhance the capacity of politics against markets, but a core problem is a democratic deficit in public debates & participation. Turning to national politics, however, we find equivalent democratic deficits in political decision-making processes. Empowerment of citizens is high, but there is a deficit of participation in input side politics beyond elections, & problems with the linkages between the people & their political leaders. However, new structures of mass elite communication have developed which at least have contributed to responsive governance & widespread political trust. References. Adapted from the source document.

In this article in the Notes on Recent Elections section, the increased Danish voter perception of a libertarian-authoritarian value dimension is explored in the 2005 parliamentary election to argue that the issue of immigration has changed the Danish political conflict structure. A discussion of the electoral campaign relates immigration to voter attitudes toward welfare, & the new tax stop policy. Analysis of election results indicates that any changes were due to the focus on personalities, rather than the narrow policy differences between the parties. Election results are concluded to imply a consolidation of a historically new majority on the right that is not accompanied by an equivalent turn to the right in attitudes. J. Harwell

Examines the Nov 2001 general election in Denmark. The move to the Right in the election appears in odd view of the fact that nothing indicates a move to the Right in terms of voter attitudes. But, to quite a large extent, the result seems explicable in terms of new cleavages, changing party images, & the costs of ruling. The voters' political agenda is discussed, along with immigration policy & welfare policy. 3 Tables, 7 References.

After presenting official statistical data on employment patterns & wage inequalities in Denmark, attitudes toward the welfare state held by three groups -- state nondependents (private-sector employees, the self-employed, & housewives), public employees, & welfare recipients -- are examined, drawing on 1969-1994 election survey data. Factor analysis distinguishes attitudes in terms of (1) basic values or preferences, (2) practical attitudes toward welfare policy implementation, & (3) attitudes toward specific expenditures or issues. Trends in attitudes toward welfare legitimacy are analyzed by political affiliation & labor market position among adults ages 18-59, testing the hypotheses that this legitimacy is challenged by (A) labor market marginalization, which creates a decline in solidarity among the working class, & (B) perceptions of economic feasibility in light of the growing burden of supporting those outside the labor market. It is concluded that the economic problems of the welfare state & their political articulation are more important than divisions between the employed & unemployed. 11 Tables, 1 Figure, 33 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

The article examines the 1984 election in a longer time perspective. As compared to the turbulent 1970's it appears that the class polarization in voting between the 'old' classes has been reestablished but that the new social cleavages in party choice are at the same time reinforced. It furthermore turns out that the consensus on the welfare state which was lost in the 1970's is now reestablished, that radical socialist sentiments are weakening, and that the political distrust of the 1970's is declining. In shon, the elections of the 1980's signal a definitive break with the political climate of the 1970's. Opinion polls furthemore indicate that Denmark is heading towards a reestablishing of the 5‐party system before 1973, but with differences in relative strength between the parties, and with a different, but still group‐specific. social base.

THE ARTICLE EXAMINES THE 1984 ELECTION IN A LONGER TIME PERSPECTIVE. AS COMPARED TO THE TURBULENT 1970'S IT APPEARS THAT THE CLASS POLARIZATION IN VOTING BETWEEN THE 'OLD' CLASSES HAS BEEN REESTABLISHED BUT THAT THE NEW SOCIAL CLEAVAGES IN PARTY CHOICE ARE AT THE SAME TIME REINFORCED. IT FURTHERMORE TURNS OUT THAT THE CONSENSUS ON THE WELFARE STATE WHICH WAS LOST IN THE 1970'S IS NOW REESTABLISHED, THAT RADICAL SOCIALIST SENTIMENTS ARE WEAKENING, AND THAT THE POLITICAL DISTRUST OF THE 1970'S IS DECLINING. IN SHORT, THE ELECTIONS OF THE 1980'S SIGNAL A DEFINITIVE BREAK WITH THE POLITICAL CLIMATE OF THE 1970'S. OPINION POLLS FURTHERMORE INDICATE THAT DENMARK IS HEADING TOWARDS A REESTABLISHING OF THE 5-PARTY SYSTEM BEFORE 1973, BUT WITH DIFFERENCES IN RELATIVE STRENGTH BETWEEN THE PARTIES, AND WITH A DIFFERENT, BUT STILL GROUP-SPECIFIC, SOCIAL BASE.

The Alford index of SC voting, measuring the relationship between SC & party choice, is refuted, using Denmark in the 1970s as an example (see Alford, Robert, SA 11:7/63A7506). Danish Socialist election results from 1957 to 1981 are used in various combinations relating party choice to SC, sex, occupation, & education. The Alford index is compared with the Gallup code; the former method shows a decline in SC voting, while the latter reveals no decline when sex & SC composition are controlled. The relationship between the Wc & party choice has apparently weakened somewhat, but this does not necessarily imply a general weakening of the link between SC & party choice. Changes within SCs & SC alliances, rather than the decline of SC importance, should be the focus of future research. 7 Tables, 1 Appendix, 33 References. Modified HA.