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This course aims at introducing international students to the key features of Danish politics and policy style in Denmark. The course addresses the following themes: Majoritarian versus consensual democracy; the Danish constitution; the party system; parliamentarism and cabinet formation; and policy issues such as immigration, the welfare state and Danish EU-politics. All themes are dealt with from a theoretical, historical, and contemporary perspective.
The way in which Danish political institutions and policies are designed also has broader theoretical interest. Denmark can, as Norway and Sweden, be seen as a particular example of what has been called ‘consensus democracy' and in this context various forms of parliamentarism are compared and it is discussed to what extent minority government is ineffective. Denmark is also characterized by a comparatively large public sector where local governments are responsible for 70 per cent of public consumption spending. Furthermore, the Danish example illustrates how corporatist decision making can be applied to control the overall expenditure level despite central government's limited formal powers over local government. Finally, the Danish welfare state offers a good starting point for comparisons with other welfare states. The Danish welfare state offers universal social rights irrespective of contributions whereas Continental welfare states make contributions a precondition for social rights. As elsewhere, globalisation and demographic changes have put pressure on the universal Danish welfare state. The course examines how reforms have tried to adjust the welfare state so that it can meet these challenges.
Compulsory course for exchange students
Carsten Jensen and Flemming Juul Christiansen
Each participant is required to write three essays during the semester. Active presence at the seminar is essential. If you are absent from class more than two times, you will not be allowed to take the exam. The exam will take place by the end of May or the beginning og June.
The course will be based on short lectures, student presentations and general discussions.
The module compendium consists of about 1,200 pages.
The reading list is a combination of textbook material and articles by leading Danish scholars.
