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
1905, AC9
0, AC9
The Radikale Venstre Party was formed in
1905 by a split of members from the Venstre Party. This party has
had no name changes.
1.03 Organizational
Discontinuity
0, AC9
There is no mention in the literature that
the Radical Party has experienced any splits or
mergers.
1.04 Leadership Competition
11, AC9
The Radical Party elects a national
chairman who is a mere figurehead and is never referred to in the
literature. The real leadership lies with the party's Folketing
(legislature) leaders who from 1950-1961 were Jorgen Jorgensen and
Bertel Dahlgaard. From 1961-1962 Karl Skytte and Baunsgaard were
elected to be leaders by the Folketing group.
1.05 Legislative Instability
Instability is .09, AC8
The Radical Party never held more than 19
percent of the seats during our time period.
1.06 Electoral Instability
Instability is .09, AC8
Based on elections in 1950, 53, 57, and 60,
the Radicals failed to win more than 8 percent of the
vote.
Governmental Status Variables,
2.01-2.07
2.01 Government Discrimination
0 for 1st half, AC9
0 for 2nd half, AC9
There is no evidence of government
discrimination for or against the Radical Party. The constitution
provides that censorship and other preventive measures cannot be
introduced. The state, as such, does not publish any newspaper
influencing public opinion. Each party has its own paper. The
broadcasting service is organized along lines aiming at making it
independent of the government. 2.02 governmental leadership 0 out
of 7 for 1st half, AC9
0 out of 6 for 2nd half, AC9
The Radical Party did not hold government
leadership during either time period.
2.03 Cabinet Participation
0 out of 7 for 1st half, AC9
6 out of 6 for 2nd half, AC9
The Radical Party held cabinet positions
while serving in coalition with the larger Social Democratic Party
in the governments of 1957-1960 and 1960-1962.
2.04 National Participation
5, AC9
The Radical Party did not qualify for a
code of "6" due to its weakness in the capital region. The party's
stronghold was in parts of the north of Jutland as well as in a
cluster of communes on the islands of Fyn and Zealand.
2.05 Legislative Strength
Strength is .08 for 1950-1956, AC8, and .07
for 1957- 1962, AC9
The Radical Party never held more than 19
percent of the seats during our time period.
2.06 Electoral Strength
Strength is .08 for 1950-1956, AC8, and .07
for 1957- 1962, AC9
Based on elections in 1950, 53, 57, and 60,
the Radicals failed to win more than 8 percent of the
vote.
2.07 Outside Origin
4, AC9
The Radical Party was formed by dissident
members of the Venstre Party Folketing (legislature)
group
Issue Orientation Variables, 5.01-5.15
5.01 Ownership of Means of
Production
1, AC3
The literature does not specifically
describe the Radical Party's stand on this issue. However, since
several bills proposing increased regulation of industry were
passed by social democratic governments which the radicals voted
with or were in a coalition with, it is assumed that they favored
regulation of the means of production.
5.02 Government Role in Economic
Planning
1, AC8
During the years 1950-1956, the Radical
Party frequently cooperated with the social democratic party in
proposals for government regulation and planning to help specific
groups and the economy as a whole. During the 1957- 1962 period
when the Radical Party was in a governing coalition with the
social democratic party, they co-sponsored similar legislation.
Specifically, the party seeks to aid smallholders by means of
state subsidies.
5.03 Redistribution of Wealth
1, AC9
In both program and practice the Radical
Party has sponsored progressive income and inheritance taxes which
helped to redistribute wealth to the poorer classes. An exception
to this occurred in 1954. Although in principle supporting easing
of the tax burden on workers, they opposed the resultant
additional burden on the middle class for practical
reasons.
5.04 Social Welfare
3, AC9
The radicals support the Danish welfare
system of mixed voluntary and compulsory programs. They favor a
moderated development of the welfare state.
5.05 Secularization of Society
3, AC9
All parties support 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 to be
practiced by the law.
5.06 Support of the Military
5, AC9
The Radical Party is well known for its
anti-militarist stance and has used its influence while in
governing coalitions to keep defense spending at an absolute
minimum. This strong opposition to defense spending ended in
1960.
5.07 Alignment With East-West
Blocs
1 for 1st half, AC9 -
3 for 2nd half, AC9
The Radical Party has always been against
Danish participation in NATO however, in 1957 they reluctantly
agreed to support Danish membership in order to govern in
coalition with the Social Democrats.
5.08 Anti-colonialism
3 for 1st half, AC8
0 for 2nd half, AC9
The Radical Party supported the 1953 Danish
constitution which incorporated Greenland and the Faroe Islands
into Denmark thus ending all Danish colonial
territory.
5.09 Supranational Integration
1 for 1st half, AC7
1 for 2nd half, AC9
The Radical Party favored Danish membership
in both the European Free Trade Association and the Common Market
(European Economic Community). They favored membership in the
latter contingent upon British entrance. These organizations did
not exist during the first time period, but Danish membership in
OECC and desire to join a free trade association did exist before
1957.
5.10 National Integration
0, AC7
The general homogeneity of the Danish
population makes this variable basically irrelevant for Denmark
proper. The Faroe Islands and Greenland, however, which have been
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
The Radical Party has always supported
universal suffrage and a voting age of 21.
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 Radical 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
nonpartisan. 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 2, represents the interests of
the lower commercial-industrial bourgeoisie and the radically
oriented intelligentsia. A group of rural workers also belongs to
the party.
Goal Orientation Variables, 6.01-6.55
6.00 Open Competition in the Electoral
Process
4, AC9
All evidence in the literature indicates
that the Radical Party relies exclusively on open competition in
the electoral process. The party has competed in every election
since its formation and has (as the minor party in a coalition)
accepted and relinquished government power without
incident.
6.10 Restricting Party
Competition
0, AC9
The Radical Party relies exclusively on
open competition in the electoral process.
6.20 Subverting the Political
System
0, AC9
The Radical Party relies exclusively on
open competition in the electoral process.
6.30 Propagandizing Ideas and
Program
6.31--2, AC9.
The Radical Party owns and/or operates several newspapers located
in Copenhagen and the larger provinces. The party publishes the
following daily newspapers--Politiken, Middlefart Venstrehlad,
Skive Folkeblan.
6.32--2, AC9.
The Radical Party "operates party schools" in the sense that it
has civic training centers for party workers and other adults with
courses of both a political and nonpolitical nature. In addition,
courses are taught in the peoples" high schools and through the
auxillary branches of the party.
6.33--2, AC8.
The national conference of the Radical Party passes resolutions
and platforms as part of their effort to win political
elections.
6.34--2, AC8.
The national conference of the Radical Party passes the party
program which is adopted unanimously by the party.
6.50 Providing for Welfare of Party
Members
6.51--0, AC3.
The literature does not mention that the Radical Party engages 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 that the Radical Party engages 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.
6.53--1, AC3.
Although the literature makes no mention of the Radical Party
engaging in 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 Radical Party supports nationwide educational associations
which offer courses of a nonpolitical nature.
6.55-- 0, AC3.
It is possible that the Radical Party does engage in this activity
as there is one reference that states, "the parties and their
affiliates sponsor boy scout groups and summer camps." However,
there is strong evidence that other parties frequently perform
this activity of recreational services, while there is only this
one vague reference to the radicals. Conceived in another way, the
party provides recreational facilities through its ancillary
organizations
Autonomy Variables, 7.01-7.05
7.01 Sources of Funds
7, AC8
The Radical Party does not receive
significant financial support from any single institutional sector
of society. They receive less financial support than any of the
other three major Danish parties.
7.02 Source of Members
5 (sector 02), AC9
Membership in the Radical Party is entirely
voluntary. With the possible exception of the smallholders, the
party does not receive support from specific social or economic
groups.
7.03 Sources of Leaders
4 (sectors 02, 03), AC6
The Radical Party is made up of "disparate
elements, and it is impossible to state with the existing
information the exact proportion of each institutional sector
represented. Probably the largest group is the smallholders with
the remainder being education/scientific/ professional--small
business owners and government bureaucrats. The party receives no
large financial assistance from any specific interest
groups.
7.04 Relations With Domestic
Parties
5 for 1st half, AC9
4 for 2nd half, AC9
The Radical Party's parliamentary support
of the Social Democratic minority governments of 1947-1950 and
1953- 1957 allowed these governments to exist, although the
radicals refused cabinet responsibility. From 1957-1962, the
radicals were in a governing coalition, as the weaker member, with
the Social Democrats. There were no electoral alliances between
these two parties.
7.05 Relations With Foreign
Organizations
4, AC9
The Radical Party is a member of the
Liberal International (formed in 1947) but this membership does
not affect the party's national policy orientation or decisions.
Membership is for the purpose of exchanging information and ideas.
The party gives financial support to the liberal
international.
Organizational Complexity Variables,
8.01-8.07
8.01 Structural Articulation
11, AC9
The most important administrative agency of
the Radical Party is the parliamentary (Folketing) group. Basic
governing organs are 1) the national conference, 2) the national
executive, and 3) the central committee.
8.02 Intensiveness of
Organization
5, AC8
The Radical Party's smallest units of
organization are based on municipal subdivisions or even smaller
units.
8.03 Extensiveness of
Organization
5, AC4
The Radical Party has local organizations
in all areas of the country, but their coverage seems weaker in
densely populated areas. This information, however, is inferred
from electoral data.
8.04 Frequency of Local
Meetings
AC1
The local units of the Radical Party must
logically meet at least once a year to select representatives to
higher party organs such as the national conference and nominating
districts. 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
4, AC8
The national executive committee of the
Radical Party meets four times annually.
8.06 Maintaining Records
10, AC6
The Radical Party was scored as
follows--"2" because of publication of party affiliated
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 as all party
members must register and are assessed dues on the basis of
registration records.
8.07 Pervasiveness of
Organization
3, AC7
The Radical Party supports a youth group
which it probably controls to a high degree. There is no mention
in the literature of ancillary organizations other than the youth
group.
Organizational Power Variables, 9.01-9.08
9.01 Nationalization of
Structure
6, AC9
The Radical Party has a discernible party
hierarchy in which the national executive committee acts directly
on the local (constituency and county) levels. The actual "power"
resides in the Folketing group, although this body often includes
the national executive committee in its deliberations. Decisions
are communicated to the other party levels by the national
executive committee.
9.02 Selecting the National
Leader
4, AC9
Leadership for the Radical Party lies
within the Folketing group which selects its own leader(s). The
national chairman, chosen by the higher party organs, is generally
a non-Folketing member and is a mere figurehead.
9.03 Selecting Parliamentary
Candidates
5, AC9
Although the official rules of the Radical
Party state that the local organizations have complete control of
the selection of candidates, the national executive committee may,
albeit infrequently, exert unofficial control over the process,
usually in the form of refusal to accept a particular candidate or
type of candidate.
9.04 Allocating Funds
5, AC5
Since the Radical Party receives few
contributions from interest groups, but primarily receives its
funds from members and members of its Folketing (legislature)
party-group, it is assumed that several levels of the party
(including the national organization) collect funds, but that
these funds are primarily dispensed by the national organization
especially for election campaigns.
9.05 Formulating Policy
6, AC9
The Radical parliamentary party
organization determines major policy positions. Should this group
be deadlocked in disagreement, the question is referred to the
executive committee for solution.
9.06 Controlling Communications
7, AC9
The Radical Party press, which publishes
daily and periodical newspapers throughout Denmark, is represented
on the highest official levels of the party. The party owns the
press but does not insist that it unfailingly follow party policy
positions editorially.
9.07 Administering Discipline
3, AC9
The parliamentary organization of the
Radical Party administers most discipline to members. Such
discipline may include expulsion from committees or other posts,
being kept from speakerships, or loss of campaign funds. Expulsion
is possible but almost unknown.
9.08 Leadership Concentration
5, AC9
During the years 1950-1961 the Radical
Party's effective leadership lay in the hands of its two
parliamentary group leaders, Bertel Dahlgaard and Jorgen
Jorgensen. There were instances, however, when the two leaders
were unable to agree on the proper course of action and other
national levels of the party were included in the
discussions.
Coherence Variables, 10.01-10.06
10.01 Legislative Cohesion
.95, AC7
The above figure for the cohesiveness of
the Radical parliamentary party group is an approximation.
Although the literature declares the party to be highly cohesive
(and explains the instances where it may not be), few authors
provide quantitative data. However, out of 1,049 divisions between
1953-1963 there were only 32 instances where one or two members
(out of an average 12 to 13) voted against the party and only one
instance when more than two members voted against the party. Roll
call votes are rare.
10.02 Ideological Factionalism
2, AC8
Two documents mention that the Radical
Party is divided within itself on favoring or opposing military
expenditures, which is a basic tenet of the party's ideology.
Except for these two references, however, ideological concerns do
not appear to be subject to public debate and disagreement among
party leaders. Differences that do exist appear to be between the
parliamentary group and extra-parliamentary national
organs.
10.03 Issue Factionalism
0, AC9
There is no documentation of factionalism
based on issues in the Radical Party. Publicized differences of
opinion between the parliamentary group and the national party
organization center on ideological and tactical
considerations.
10.04 Leadership Factionalism
0, AC9
There is no evidence of leadership
factionalism in the Radical Party, despite the fact that during
our time period the party was led by two seemingly equal
leaders.
10.05 Strategic or Tactical
Factionalism
2 for 1st half, AC8
3 for 2nd half, AC6
Tendencies to factionalism do appear,
basically between the parliamentary group and the national
organization. The coding of this variable is linked with that of
variable 10.02 (ideological factionalism). The leadership of the
parliamentary party has been willing to de-emphasize a basic tenet
of radical philosophy (opposition to military expenditures) in
order to play the role of "the party in the center" by joining in
a coalition with the social democrats. The national extra-
parliamentary leaders did not favor, but eventually approved, this
course of action during the 1957-1962 time period. Some members
especially objected to the party's support of NATO and a split was
threatened in 1960 (Thomas, 1973--25).
10.06 Party Purges
0, AC9
There were no purges in the Radical Party
during the 1950-1962 period.
Involvement Variables, 11.01-11.06
11.01 Membership Requirements
3, AC8
To become a member of the Radical Party an
individual must register, sign a card, and pay annual dues. The
payment of dues is more thoroughly documented 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 the variable should be
scored less than "3." The coder's "guess" is that if attendance at
youth organizations and social and educational events sponsored by
the Radical Party were included, a score of "2" should be assigned
. If only regular party meetings were considered, however, the
code would probably be "0."
11.03 Material Incentives
0, AC3
Although the Radical Party, as one of the
four major parties in the Folketing, has some political jobs to
dispense, it is doubtful that as much as 1/3 of the party
militants are motivated for this reason. These jobs are considered
more a remuneration for business income lost during public service
and are generally awarded after ten years service in the
Folketing. In general, party militants seem to be motivated by
solidarity and purposive incentives 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
as the Radical Party.
11.05 Doctrinism
1, AC9
The Radical Party's program embodies the
party's doctrine and may at times be considered as a referent for
decisions especially when a basic ideological tenet is being
threatened (e.g., "pacifism" in the second time period) but such
references tend to be issue-specific and not
"continual."
11.06 Personalism
0, AC9
There is no evidence in the literature that
radical militants are motivated by personalism. There was no noted
defection among militants when the two popular leaders of the
Radical Party, Jorgen Jorgensen and Bertel Dahlgaard retired in
1960.