The "ac" code is for "adequacy-confidence"--a
data
quality measure ranging from 0 (low) to 9
(high)
Institutionalization Variables,
1.01-1.06
1.01 Year Of Origin And 1.02 Name
Changes
1870, AC9
0, AC9
Various groups of "liberals" were active in
Danish politics throughout the 1800's but the Venstre was formed
in 1870, when the farmers took over the Society of Farmer's
Friends from the National Liberals and transformed it into a
political party. There have been no name changes since the party's
formation.
1.03 Organizational
Discontinuity
4, AC9
Knud Kristensen, former Venstre leader,
formed a new party (the Independents) in 1953. There is no
evidence that this was anything but a minor split. Supporters of
Thorkhil Kristensen remained in the Venstre as a faction and did
not split until 1965. Thus there is only one minor split, and this
in the period 1950-56.
1.04 Leadership Competition
9, AC9
The leadership of the party has been in the
hands of Erik Eriksen since 1950. However, prior to this time,
changes occurred and these changes were overt and were made by the
party conference, consisting of over 100 members.
1.05 Legislative Instability
Instability is .07, AC8
The Moderate Liberals claimed about 25
percent of the seats during our period, but its strength dropped
somewhat in 1960 to about 20 percent.
1.06 Electoral Instability
Instability is .06, AC8
Based on elections in 1950, 53, 57, and 60,
the party's high point was in 1957 when it won 25 percent of the
vote.
Governmental Status Variables,
2.01-2.07
2.01 Government Discrimination
0, AC9
There is no evidence of government
discrimination for or against the Venstre. The broadcasting
service is organized along lines aiming to make it independent of
the government. Each party has its own paper, and the state as
such does not publish any paper influencing public opinion. The
constitution provides that censorship and other preventive
measures cannot be introduced.
2.02 Governmental Leadership
4 out of 7 for 1950-56, AC9
0 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC9
The Venstre headed the government from 1950
through 1953, with Erik Eriksen as prime minister.
2.03 Cabinet Participation
4 out of 7 for 1950-56, AC9
0 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC9
The Venstre held cabinet positions only
under the government of Erik Eriksen, from 1950 through
1953.
2.04 National Participation
5, AC9
The Venstre does not qualify for the
highest score on national orientation because of its weakness in
the capital region, although its strength in the capital has been
growing since 1950. Venstre receives approximately 34 percent of
the popular vote nationally but received only the following
percentage of votes in Copenhagen--6.3 percent in 1953, 9.2
percent in 1957, and 6.8 percent in 1960. Venstre's deviance from
the gross national average in Copenhagen during our time period
was approximately -14.
2.05 Legislative Strength
Strength is .23 for 1950-56, AC8, and .23
for 1957-62 , AC8
The Moderate Liberals claimed about 25
percent of the seats during our period, but its strength dropped
somewhat in 1960 to about 20 percent.
2.06 Electoral Strength
Strength is .22 for 1950-56, AC8, and .23
for 1957-62 , AC9.
Based on elections in 1950, 53, 57, and 60,
the party's high point was in 1957 when it won 25 percent of the
vote.
2.07 Outside Origin
4, AC9
Venstre arose from liberal farmer groups
represented in the 19th century Folketing (parliament), known as
the friends of the farmers.
Issue Orientation Variables, 5.01-5.15
5.01 Ownership of Means of
Production
3, AC7
Although this code best describes the
liberal party's stand on this issue, there is no mention in the
literature that the party "urges repeal of present
regulations."
5.02 Government Role in Economic
Planning
3, AC9
Venstre is against government regulation of
the economy except in times of crisis or for the regulation of
monopolies and price agreements.
5.03 Redistribution of Wealth
1, AC8
In both policy and practice the Liberal
Party has opposed legislation that would erode the differences
between poor and rich and has proposed legislation favorable to
high income groups. However, in Denmark there are no extreme
inequalities in wealth and the Venstre party does not seem to
favor repeal of most existing egalitarian legislation.
5.04 Social Welfare
3, AC9
Venstre fully supports Denmark's
comprehensive welfare system. (23) 5.05 secularization of society
3, AC9
All parties seem to recognize the
Evangelical Lutheran Church as the national church and accept
state aid and support of it. However, the state's laws are not
based on religious prescription and other religions are
allowed.
5.06 Support of the Military
1, AC9
Although the liberals have been supportive
of spending to insure a strong national defense, domestic programs
have always had priority.
5.07 Alignment with East-West
Blocs
5, AC9
The Venstre party supports Denmark's
membership in NATO.
5.08 Anti-colonialism
3 for 1st half, AC8
0 for 2nd half, AC9
The Liberals supported the 1953
constitution which incorporated Greenland and the Faroes into
Denmark, thus ending all Danish colonial territory.
5.09 Supranational Integration
0 for 1st half, AC7
1 for 2nd half, AC9
During the second time period, Venstre
strongly favored joining the Common Market. However, Venstre was
originally against joining EFTA, the European Free Trade
Association. Although formal membership in EFTA was during the
second time period, negotiations were in the first half.
Therefore, Venstre has been coded for membership in the second
half and ambiguous or contradictory in the first.
5.10 National Integration
0, AC7
The general homogeneity of the Danish
population makes this variable almost irrelevant for Denmark
proper. The Faroe Islands and greenland, however, which have been
a part of the "Danish realm" since 1953, have special seats
reserved for them in the Folketing (national legislature) and have
their own respective governors and legislatures.
5.11 Electoral Participation
5, AC9
Venstre has supported universal suffrage
for 23 year olds.
5.12 protection of civil rights
5, AC9
There is no evidence in the literature that
the parties disagree on this issue. It is, therefore, considered a
settled issue. The constitution of 1953 provides for the
protection of civil rights of all Danish citizens.
5.13 Interference With Civil
Liberties
5, AC9
The Venstre party supported the 1953
constitution which provided for complete freedom of expression,
including the press. Individuals may, however, be held responsible
for libel or slander. Television and radio are strictly non
partisan. Each of the parties publishes several newspapers. There
is no evidence that the parties disagree on this
issue.
5.14 / 5.15 US--Soviet Experts Left-Right
Ratings
US says 2, center
Soviets say 1, represents the interests of
the rural bourgeoisie and large landowners, and receives the
support of the liberal circles of the urban
bourgeoisie.
Goal Orientation Variables, 6.01-6.55
6.00 Open Competition in the Electoral
Process
4, AC9
All evidence within the literature
indicates that the party relies exclusively on open competition in
the electoral process. It has competed in every election since its
formation and has accepted and relinquished government power
frequently and without incident.
6.10 Restricting Party
Competition
0, AC9
The Venstre relies exclusively on open
competition in the electoral process, and it has not attempted to
restrict party competition.
6.20 Subverting the Political
System
0, AC9
The Venstre relies exclusively on open
competition in the electoral process, and it has never engaged in
subversion.
6.30 Propagandizing Ideas and
Program
6.31--2, AC9.
The Venstre party owns and operates
newspapers in Copenhagen and the provinces. Its daily newspapers
are Fyns Tidende and Soro Amtstidende.
6 .32--2, AC9.
The Venstre party operates party schools in
the sense that it has civic training centers for party workers and
other adults with courses of a political and nonpolitical nature.
In addition, courses are taught in the people's high schools,
through the auxilliary branches of the party, and through special
study groups.
6.33--2, AC8.
The Venstre party passes platforms stating
policies, orientation on issues and goals, and so forth. A copy of
one of these platforms is in the ICPP files.
6.34--2, AC9.
A copy of Venstre's program is in the ICPP
files. The party publishes its goals and policies in its program
in order to win votes while competing in elections.
6.50 Providing for Welfare of Party
Members
6.51--0, AC3.
The literature does not mention the Venstre
party engaging in this activity although many other activities are
cited. It is assumed that in Denmark, which has a very
comprehensive welfare system administered by the government, such
activities by the parties would be superfluous.
6.52--0, AC3 .
The literature does not mention the Venstre
party engaging in this activity, although many other activities
are cited. It is assumed that in Denmark, where unemployment is
negligible and employment services are provided by the state, such
activities by the parties are superfluous. Since most of Venstre's
constituents are involved in agriculture, they are involved with
employment problems which may be referred to the farmers'
union.
6.53--1, AC3.
Although the literature makes no mention of
the Venstre party performing this activity, it seems reasonable
that in a society with a comprehensive welfare system covering
most aspects of an individual's life, the party would occasionally
aid an individual in securing the attention of one of the various
agencies to his needs.
6.54--2, AC9.
The liberal party supports nationwide
educational associations which offer courses of a nonpolitical
nature.
6.55--2, AC9.
The Venstre party sponsors such
recreational facilities and services as boy scout groups, summer
camps, dancing and other forms of entertainment.
Autonomy Variables, 7.01-7.05
7.01 Sources of Funds
4 (sectors 04, 02), AC8
It is impossible to determine the exact
proportion of Venstre's support. However, it is documented that
business organizations do make direct and indirect contributions
and that agricultural interests help to support Venstre
newspapers. The farmers' union, however, prohibits contributions
to parties, and it is from farmers that Venstre receives most of
its electoral support. Thus 2/3 would be too high an
estimate.
7.02 Source of Members
5 (sector 02), AC9
Although the Venstre party is largely
supported by farmers, membership in the party is entirely
voluntary.
7.03 Sources of Leaders
2 (sectors 02, 03), AC9
Venstre's leaders are generally drawn from
the agricultural or educational sectors of society or a
combination of the two. Increasingly the leaders are men of higher
education who perform some academic function.
7.04 Relations with Domestic
Parties
3, AC9
Venstre participated, as the stronger
member, in a two-party coalition with the conservatives from
1950-53. From 1953-62 the liberals, still as the stronger member,
were in an overt parliamentary alliance ("the opposition") with
the conservatives and in tacit electoral alliances in some
areas.
7.05 Relations with Foreign
Organizations
4, AC9
Although Venstre is affiliated with and
pays dues to the Liberal International, this does not seem to
affect its national policy orientation. Its membership is mostly
for the purpose of exchanging ideas and information with
like-minded parties.
Organizational Complexity Variables,
8.01-8.07
8.01 Structural Articulation
11, AC8
The most important administrative agency of
the Venstre party is the parliamentary (Folketing) group. Basic
governing agencies are the annual conference, the national
executive, and a secretariat which works under the direction of
the national executive.
8.02 Intensiveness of
Organization
5, AC8
The Venstre party has approximately 1,600
local party organizations based on municipal subdivisions or even
smaller units.8.03 extensiveness of organization 5,
AC6
The Moderate Liberal (Venstre) Party has
local organizations in all areas of the country, but their
coverage seems weak in the capital electoral region. This
information is inferred from electoral data.
8.04 Frequency of Local
Meetings
AC1
The local units of the Moderate Liberal
(Venstre) Party must logically meet at least once a year to select
representatives to nominating districts, the annual conference,
etc. These units probably meet monthly, but in the entire
literature retrieved there is no mention of the frequency of local
meetings.
8.05 Frequency of National
Meetings
AC1
There is no information on the frequency of
meetings for the national executive of the Venstre party. It is
assumed, however, that it meets more frequently than the annual
conference, the legislative assembly of the party.
8.06 Maintaining Records
10, AC6
The Moderate Liberal (Venstre) Party was
scored as follows--"2" because of extensive publication of party
newspapers--"0" because there is no documentation of the existence
of party archives, although it is possible they do exist--"8" for
party lists which are presumed to be of good quality because all
party members must register and are assessed dues according to
registration records.
8.07 Pervasiveness of
Organization
6, AC8
The youth organization of the Moderate
Liberal Party (Venstre Ungdom) is Denmark's largest political
organ for young people with 50,000 members in 130 local units. The
Venstre party also sponsors a women's organization. Although
considered the party of the farming interests, Venstre has no
ancillary organization specifically aimed at the agricultural
section.
Organizational Power Variables, 9.01-9.08
9.01 Nationalization of
Structure
6, AC9
The Liberal (Venstre) Party has a
discernible party hierarchy in which the national executive acts
directly on the local (constituency and county) organizations,
bypassing the regional organizations. The actual "power" resides
in the Folketing group whose decisions are communicated down
through the party hierarchy by the national executive. It should
be noted, however, that the Venstre national organization is
weaker vis-a-vis the local levels than is true for other Danish
parties.
9.02 Selecting the National
Leader
4, AC9
The leader of the Venstre parliamentary
group and the national chairman are the same individual. He holds
his position as national chairman, however, due to his elected
leadership as the Folketing-group chairman. He is elected by the
national organization to the party chairmanship after the
Folketing group has designated him as their leader.
9.03 Selecting Parliamentary
Candidates
5, AC9
Although the official rules of the Venstre
party state that the local organizations have complete control of
the selection of candidates, unofficially the national executive
may (infrequently) exert some control over the process, generally
in the form of refusal to accept a particular candidate or type of
candidate.
9.04 Allocating Funds
6, AC5
Although the literature contains some
information on the source of Venstre's funds, it inadequately
explains actual collection and distribution procedures. Generally,
contributions are made to the national organization which, it is
assumed, dispenses said funds. However, some contributions are
made directly to provincial newspapers supporting the Venstre
party, and some lesser funds are collected and distributed by the
legislative party group.
9.05 Formulating Policy
6, AC9
In the Venstre party it is the Folketing
(parliamentary) party organization that determines policy
positions. If such decisions are referred to a vote in the
executive committee, it is only as a gesture.
9.06 Controlling Communications
7, AC9
The Venstre party press, which publishes
daily and periodical newspapers throughout Denmark, is represented
on the highest official levels of the party organization. Although
the party owns the press, some papers may occasionally oppose
party policy on a given issue.
9.07 Administering Discipline
3, AC9
The parliamentary organization of the
Venstre party administers most discipline to members. Such
discipline may include exclusion from committees or other posts,
being kept from speakerships, or loss of campaign funds. Expulsion
is possible but almost unknown, however, it did occur after our
time period.
9.08 Leadership Concentration
3, AC7
Throughout the period 1958-1962, the
Venstre party was headed by Erik Eriksen who was both
parliamentary group chairman and national party chairman. He did
not, however, demonstrate one man rule of the party.
Coherence Variables, 10.01-10.06
10.01 Legislative Cohesion
.95, AC7
The above figure for the cohesiveness of
the Venstre parliamentary party group is an approximation. The
literature generally declares the party to be highly cohesive and
attempts to explain instances when it is not. Few authors,
however, provide quantitative data. Out of 1,049 divisions between
1953-1963 there were only 49 instances where one or two members
voted against their party and only 19 instances when more than two
Venstre Folketing members voted against the party. There are no
roll call votes in Denmark.
10.02 Ideological Factionalism
0, AC9
The Moderate Liberal (Venstre) Party
suffered several instances of factionalism during 1950-1962.
However, these do not seem to be ideological differences but
issue, strategic, and leadership factions. There are vague
references in the literature attesting that liberal constituents
hold to a stricter interpretation of party program than do the
legislators, but these are insufficiently documented.
10.03 Issue Factionalism
3 for 1950-1956, AC9
0 for 1957-1962, AC9
For more than a year a small faction in the
Moderate Liberal Party led by Knud Kristensen opposed the passing
of a new Danish constitution. When the party sponsored and passed
the new constitution in 1953, Knud Kristensen and his group left
the party to form the independent party. Although the liberal
debate faction formed within the Venstre party in the second time
period opposed the party on some issues, the impetus for the
faction seemed to be tactical and personal.
10.04 Leadership Factionalism
0 for 1950-1956, AC9
4 for 1957-1962, AC9
Thorkhil Kristensen, as a leader of the
Venstre party, often differed with the party leadership before
1957. However, it is in the second time period that his followers
organized themselves into a sizable faction. This faction, known
as "liberal debate," reached "large" proportions only after our
time period. After 1960, Kristensen left the party and refused to
be recognized as the leader of "liberal debate" although that
group still considered him their leader.
10.05 Strategic or Tactical
Factionalism
0 for 1st half, AC9
4 for 2nd half, AC9
During the second time period a faction of
Venstre members formed an elaborate organization called "liberal
debate." This group, inspired by Thorkhil Kristensen, opposed
leader Erik Eriksen's close cooperation with the Conservative
Party, favoring a more flexible approach and possible cooperation
with the governing parties to the exclusion of the
Conservatives.
10.06 Party Purges
0, AC9
Although there were no purges during our
time period, it is interesting to note that in 1965 the liberal
national executive voted to replace the existing 1,500 member
Copenhagen party organization which was controlled by the "liberal
debate" faction. To this coder's knowledge, it is the only such
political expulsion in Danish party history.
Involvement Variables, 11.01-11.06
11.01 Membership Requirements
3, AC8
To become a member of the Venstre party, an
individual must register, sign a card, and pay annual dues. The
payment of dues is mentioned more frequently in the literature
than are the other requirements.
11.02 Membership Participation
2, AC5
There is little documentation of this code
in the literature, although it is clear that the code should be
less than "3." The coder's "guess" is that if attendance at youth
and women's organizations and at social and educational events
sponsored by the Venstre party were included, the code would be a
"2." If only regular party meetings were considered, the code
would probably be "0."
11.03 Material Incentives
0, AC3
Although the Venstre party, as one of the
four main parties in the Folketing, has political jobs to dispense
it is doubtful that as much as 1/3 of the party's militants are
motivated for this reason. These jobs are considered more of a
reimbursement for business income lost during political service.
In general, party militants seem to be moved by solidarity and
purposive rather than material incentives.
11.04 Purposive Incentives
3, AC3
Purposive incentives seem to be the primary
motivation for individual militants to join and remain as members
in the Moderate Liberal (Venstre) Party.
11.05 Doctrinism
1, AC9
The Moderate Liberal (Venstre) Party's
program embodies the party's doctrine and may at times be
considered a referent for decisions. During the second time period
the party's leader, Erik Eriksen, made frequent reference to the
program in his criticism of Thorkhil Kristensen, who was voting
"pragmatically." However, references to party doctrine have never
been "continual."
11.06 Personalism
0, AC9
There is no evidence in the literature that
Moderate Liberal (Venstre) Party militants are motivated by
personalism. Some members of the "liberal debate" faction
preferred Thorkhil Kristensen's leadership to that of the party
leader, but when kristensen resigned from the party his followers
remained in the party. Their objections to party leader Eriksen
were mainly over strategy.