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
