Proměny dánské politiky
Developement in Danish Politics

Summary/Abstract: This article analyzes the evolution of the party system and parties in Denmark during the 20th century. Special attention is focused on the phenomena of “freezing” and “unfreezing” of the party system between the 1920s and the 1960s. Although “unfreezing” of the party system, which was demonstrated by 1973 elections, led to the explosive and massive increase in the number of parties, the system (type) change was temporary. It is beyond doubt that Sartori’s format of the limited pluralism was transformed to the extreme pluralism. However, the type of the party system returned to the earlier moderate pluralism in the 1980s. Similarly to other Western European countries, the organisation of Danish political parties has changed. They have moved from mass parties with close linkages to social classes and interest groups (the best example would be the connection between social democratic party and trade unions) to more open formations that display catch-all features. Also, new political issues influenced the configuration of the party system. Special importance was assigned to the membership in the European Community, immigration issue, postmaterialistic values, reform of the welfare state (and progressive tax) and revitalisation of the church-state division. However, the traditional right-left axis keeps its significance.

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