A Three-Flavoured Political Strategy

When people in Denmark buy the ice cream called 'Rainbow Ice', they don't just get ice cream in three different colours, they even get three flavours: Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Neatly stacked together in a rectangular block, clearly defined and separated. Nobody will admit to buying the stuff, but paradoxically it sells in huge quantities.

This is very much the political strategy of the current government in Denmark, with The Liberals (V) and The Conservatives (C) basing their almost permanent majority in the parliament on The Danish People's Party (O). Three different colours. Three different flavours. In unison they offer the Danish electorate choices - within the same block. The blue block. In short, and speaking in political science terms, they have broken the Public Choice code of the bundle purchase nature with voters. You see, when voters 'buy' a political party, they're not only buying one political opinion - but a bundle of them, wrapped up inside a full political programme of that particular party - so it actually makes sense to stay ignorant of most issues. It is rational to be ignorant. Sorry, Public Choicers, for the next very crude ice cream simplification. Why don't you enjoy a couple of scoops as it folds out...

The current government makes it easy for the voters to choose and 'buy'. You see, if you cut the 'Rainbow Ice' block, you can do so from two different angles - and still get three different colours and flavours. The blue block offers three different choices in one block - seen from more than one perspective.

The first perspective is the low income - middle income - high income axis - very important from an identification point of view - where the voters identify themselves with:

• Low income - The Danish People's Party
• Middle/high income - The Liberals
• Middle/high income - The Conservatives

The second perspective is the change-stability-safety axis - also and ever important axis for political parties - where voters get:

• Change - The Liberals
• Stability - The Conservatives
• Safety/value - The Danish People's Party

Up until the 2001 election value-based topics like immigration were banned before an election - it was considered the place not to go. So the order of the day before that was merely a choice of two options: Change or Stability. Most government coalitions up until 2001 were based on two parties in minority coalitions - sometimes three. One for change, one for stability. The same today: with The Liberals (V) voters get economic dynamics and change, with The Conservatives (C) they get stability in public services. Stability and safety are huge, because 'you know what you have, but you don't know what you're gonna get'. And when they do go for change, they go for the same kind of change on economic and tax issues. These two parties balance each other. But since 9/11 it has somehow become OK also to speak on issues like immigration. So the value-based party of The Danish People's Party (O) has gained much support. With us or against us. Pro or con immigration. But still big on safety. Nobody will admit to buying this chunk - but it sells in huge quantities.

All in all an unbeatable bundle purchase package. A little something for everyone. Three clearly defined chunks of ice cream. If you choose one, the other chunks complement it. And the total package is still there for the taking. Perhaps this is why the blue block does so well? So how does the opposition alternative look? On the first axis of low income - middle income - high income:

• Low/middle income - The Social Democrats
• Low/middle income - The Socialist People's Party
• Middle/high income - The Social Liberals

And on the second axis of change-stability-safety:

• Change/value - The Socialist People's Party
• Change/value - The Social Liberals
• Stability/safety - The Social Democrats

The Socialist People's Party (F) goes for stability on social security issues, but are great reformers when it comes to green economy. And when the Social Liberals (B) talk about change, they actually go for the blue block kind of change, namely on economic and tax issues. So the picture is altogether a bit more blurry in the red block. The rainbow ice cream has melted. The voters aren't sure what they're getting when they cut the ice cream block. And perhaps there's just too much change in there? I mean when you 'buy' a political product - perhaps you would want more stability and safety? 'You know what you have, but you don't know what you're gonna get'. They all speak of stability and safety for the low income groups, and of a greener economy. Probably in order to seem like an opposition in unison. So there aren't really three clearly defined chunks in the block of ice cream. Could this be the reason for the much talked about 'cannibalism' between the opposition parties - where one party simply 'steals' votes from the other red block party? And could this melting ice cream be the reason for the lacking success of the opposition - and reversely the success of the current government coalition? Because the opposition hasn't figured out the three-flavoured political strategy? I don't know, it's just one blurry guess. I prefer to stay rationally ignorant.

A New Chapter in Danish Politics

Last night I joined an arrangement for Danish law and economy people, initiated by the ever energetic political science buff Clement Kjersgaard, DR2 host and initiator of the political magazine of RÆSON (roughly translates into 'reason' or 'sense'). The theme was A New Chapter in Danish Politics, focused on the shift in Danish politics from the election in 2001 and the success of the Right wing block - and then tried to give a post-Fogh Rasmussen perspective.

Did the arrangement make sense then? Well, first of all three political science and sociology researchers where brought in to lay down a basis for the debate - and to make sense. Among them Lars Bille, an election researcher, sociologist Rasmus Willig, and party researcher Rune Slothuus.

In short, the change from 2001 was noticeable. The red-blue blocks had been enforced, yet at the same time there is a blurring of the traditional red-blue perspective - in the classical sense of the two opposing policies when it comes to distribution of wealth - since the value-based parties roam on both sides of the traditional axes, and are becoming just as important as the traditional red-blue parties. And when it comes to the value-based policies, they have truely made their mark since 2001. In particular with the government's supporting party of The Danish People's Party (O) - but also the The Socialist People's Party (F) has gained much support, basically in opposing the first.

One point made was that the traditional liberal ideas of freedom of speech, the right to form public debate assemblies, etc. had given way to the purely economic liberalism, placing responsibility entirely on individuals - all the way down to the public employees in kindergardens raising their index fingers, teaching the two-year-olds to be responsible for themselves. No responsibility could be placed on the state, the government, the municipalities, or the private employers - since everything lies in your own hands. In short, liberalism had gone from 'You have the right to be free - to you must be free'.

Then a panel of political editors: Ask Rostrup from the public Danish Broadcasting Company/DR, Arne Hardis from the elitist newspaper of Weekendavisen, and Bjarne Steensbeck from the Right wing newspaper of Berlingske Tidende debated the Fogh Rasmussen legacy. Stressing his importance as a political leader - yet not withholding his less successful legacy of a stressed immigration policy and an activist foreign policy.

Ending with a debate with three present and former politicians, Mogens Lykketoft (S), Marianne Jelved (B), and Hans Engell (formerly Conservatives, presently political commentator). Making much the same points as the researchers and the political editors - yet with more practical details.

So did it all make sense? Yes, the arrangement did. No, the political legacy didn't.

For a more elaborate overview of the Danish political scene, please see:
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/cliff-notes-to-danish-politics.html

Sponsor Journalism

A debate has been running in the Danish media and in the media magazine of Journalisten lately. In particular, there is no more room for investigative journalism - because it costs. Editor-in-chief of Politiken, Tøger Seidenfaden, launched a new wave. He suggested that with (his) empty pockets why couldn't the newspapers aim at sponsored investigative journalism, i.e. get readers/users to participate and supply tips, and get people with their pockets full to pay for investigative projects around the editorial rooms. With lots of debates in the wake about the seriousness and integrity of the journalistic products to come out of such sponsoring.

And today, Berlingske Media, Politiken, TV2, and other Danish media form a pressure group to get their hands on the ad market through the Norwegian software service of Open AdExchange, based on individual search words. In order to diminish the search engine dominans of Google - and get their hands on the lucrative ad market. Ladies and gentlemen, my first paradoxical reaction is this: When will news papers focus on news at least half as much as they focus on money, ads, and sponsoring?

Pssst: Paradoxical News is looking for a sponsor

A Sigh From The Gender Agenda

'We have obtained full gender equality the day it becomes as natural to choose just as many mediocre women for managerial positions - as has been the case for years with the choice of mediocre men'. These are the words quoted from - a man. Namely former Danish PM Poul Schlüter.

And here's the paradox: Just as everybody is talking about the weather, but nobody's doing anything about it, we appear to be stuck on the gender agenda. Except for the Danish K2 Network for women in the media industry. They actually walk the talk. Their bold goal is to dismantle themselves. Yep, that is - once there are at least 40 percent females in managerial posititions and in the board rooms. The network arranges conferences, appoints women, hands out prizes (the good, the bad, and really ugly). This network works.

For more information (in Danish), see:
http://www.k2-net.dk/
http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/surrounded-by-women.html

Pssst: If you're not in the media industry - or not in Denmark - why don't you start your own? And link.

Paradoxical News Expands Its Activities

Paradoxical News is expanding its activities to other projects - that just might fly. Hence the less fluent flow of paradoxical news. The editor of the publication would like to express gratitude towards its patient and loyal niche readership.

Meta-Comment No. 8

Sometimes navigation is best left to the navigators. My navigator just might be brilliant...

Opposition - Part Four

Margrethe Vestager from the Social Liberals (B), accepted the invitation to broad co-operation from Lars Løkke Rasmussen (V) - but called for visual proof. As examples, she mentioned the need for a more ambitious overall growth plan, and also saw a need for action behind the words in negociations about the municipality plans, when it comes to showing more trust and confidence in the employees.

Opposition - Part Three

Anders Samuelsen (Y), gone very-very Liberal, was in the strange position of being a government supporter - and in opposition at the same time. With regard to the lacking trust and confidence in the ability of the employees in the municipalities to handle their jobs, the steps from the government just weren't good enough.

Opposition - Part Two

Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, political spokes person from The Red-Green Alliance (Ø), had no mercy for Lars Løkke Rasmussen (V) and his speech. In particular she criticized the government's employment efforts and the tough policy initiatives regarding criminal youths.

Opposition - Part One

Opposition leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt (S) was frankly not impressed with Lars Løkke Rasmussen's (V) speech, presenting the government's plan on basic policy areas.

Same Procedure As Last Year

Same-same, but different! - they say in the East and in many parts of the world. Today, the de facto PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen (V) presented himself as the new man with a licence to speak. He opened today's speech in the Danish parliament saying much the same as his predecessor. Namely that the value-based politics, the tax stop, the integration policy, the justice policy, and the foreign policy would stay the same. As would the government's supporting parties of The Danish People's Party and Liberal Alliance. This was not only old wine in a new bottle - it even seemed to have lost its kick along the way.

Under the overall banner of Freedom and Community he stressed the necessity for the freedom of choice in public institutions - to go hand in hand with a strong safety net to help the ones who lose their jobs, fall ill, or who are in a tight spot for a period, for instance during education. The remedy for the financial crisis was reforms - particularly on taxes and the labour market. With ambitious plans to restructure the health care system, to build up know-how and exports based on green energy, to strengthen the development policy. All building on freedom of choice and private initiatives. All in all same procedure as last year.

Easter/Passover Greetings

Paradoxical News wishes everybody the best possible Easter/Passover holidays - and a return with renewed energy next week. Sorry about the delay, but yesterday was a very long day. Enjoy the rest.

Meta-Comment No. 7

Nobody can find their way around the world without proper guidance. I, too, have had to rely on guidance from time to time. Still, being the nicest person, I think my navigator just lost his bearings - as well as his marbles. Whether knocked out by the Easter bunny or simply passed out during Passover - I hope he gets back on track again.

A Change of Guards

The mounted police was brought in to fence off members of the Danish press from the gates at the royal residence of Amalienborg. The reason was a change of guards in the Danish Parliament. Again...

With the adroit cat of PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen (V) away on several international missions (too paradoxical for Paradoxical News to cover), four new members of the present government were presented as Cabinet Ministers by the de facto PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen, The Liberal Party of Denmark (V):

• Lars Hjort Frederiksen (V) as new Minister of Finance (formerly Minister of Employment)
• Inger Støjberg (V) as new Minister of Employment and Gender Equality (formerly political spokesperson for The Liberal Party of Denmark)
• Karen Ellemann (V) as new Minister of Social and Internal Affairs (elected to the Danish Parliament in 2007, and daughter of former Minister of Foreign Affairs Uffe Ellemann-Jensen)

Don't tell me that Danish politics is boring. So here's my paradox for you: when do they actually start working in this mix up of cabinets and political process?

For a more elaborate overview of the political scene in Denmark, please see:

http://paradoxicalnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/cliff-notes-to-danish-politics.html

Financial Crisis At The Turning Point

The Danish treasury outside the Ministry of Finance

The Danish treasury is in a pitiful state - judging from a view of its contents. So sorry is the state that visitors take pity and empty their pockets during visits.

All of this week the Danish Broadcasting channel of DR2 has run a theme on the financial crisis, hosted by Clement Kjersgaard and Jes Stein Pedersen. Their paradoxical edge on the situation is: Kiss the crisis! (love the circumstances).

It seems to me that the more you talk about the crisis, the further it spirals downwards. Self-increasingly. Much like the confused chicken on the stock market. Perplexed. And the more people get stuck. Perpetually.

My paradoxical take on the crisis is this: If the situation gets worse simply by stressing it - why not stop it altogether by ignoring it? So today's Paradoxical News headline story is: 'The financial crisis is at the turning point'. The economy is in a perfect state. Thanks to the generous visitors at the treasury!

Political Mutiny

Democracy is not just out there with the people in Denmark. Danish democracy is really out there. Period. Whether a Prime Minister on the job hunt for the position as the next NATO Secretary General, members of the Social Liberals (B) creating new parties, or latest - the current Danish Minister of Social Welfare, Karen Jespersen (V) first defecting her original party, then defecting her Ministry - Danish politics is in a turmoil. What are voters supposed to think? They make a choice by way of voting. But with the overall tendency of political mutiny, my paradoxical question is this: what is the electorate really left with - if not choice?