Consensus-Building
#4Key Findings
Denmark is one of the top performers internationally (rank 4) with respect to consensus-building.
Commissions and expert committees play a crucial role in policymaking, reflecting a consensus-based tradition. While the political administration includes experts with PhDs, policymakers often rely on advisory councils for most policy areas. This includes trade unions and business organizations, which are integral to the policy process.
Civil organizations, especially those related to social welfare, are also routinely included in the policymaking process. This tradition is not as strong for environmental policymaking, but groups in this sector also have an impact. Agricultural organizations are particularly vocal.
The Agency for Digital Government oversees the areas of data and IT security. Various open data portals, such as those from Statistics Denmark, provide citizens and companies with access to government data. The parliament has also developed an API providing public access to meeting minutes.
Commissions and expert committees play a crucial role in policymaking, reflecting a consensus-based tradition. While the political administration includes experts with PhDs, policymakers often rely on advisory councils for most policy areas. This includes trade unions and business organizations, which are integral to the policy process.
Civil organizations, especially those related to social welfare, are also routinely included in the policymaking process. This tradition is not as strong for environmental policymaking, but groups in this sector also have an impact. Agricultural organizations are particularly vocal.
The Agency for Digital Government oversees the areas of data and IT security. Various open data portals, such as those from Statistics Denmark, provide citizens and companies with access to government data. The parliament has also developed an API providing public access to meeting minutes.
Graph View
Graph View
To what extent is the government successful in effectively harnessing the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes?
10
9
9
The government is able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
8
7
6
7
6
In most cases, the government is able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
5
4
3
4
3
Only rarely is the government able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
2
1
1
The government is not able to harness the best available scientific knowledge for policymaking purposes.
Major reforms in Denmark are typically prepared via committees or commissions established to produce reports outlining issues and options. In recent years, commissions have played an essential role in policymaking.
The formation process includes several commissions: the Strukturkommissionen (infrastructure commission), the Velfærdskommissionen (welfare commission), the Arbejdsmarkedskommissionen (labor market commission), the Skattekommissionen (tax commission), the Produktivitetskommissionen (productivity commission), the Dagpengekommissionen (unemployment insurance commission) and the Reformkommissionen (the reform committee). Each of these commissions has been chaired by highly respected university professors, and most have had independent secretariats to ensure their independence.
The current government, which took office in 2022, has proposed the creation of 12 new commissions to prepare reports on a wide variety of issues, such as the future of welfare institutions, and child and youth life (Regeringsgrundlag 2022). These committees will be independent of the government, and they are likely to be chaired by respected academics.
The political administration is highly professional and includes in-house expertise, such as individuals with PhDs. However, for most policy areas, policymakers rely on advisory councils or expert committees as part of a consensus tradition.
On a more permanent basis, the Danish Economic Council plays an important role as an independent institution, as politicians heed its recommendations. Since 2007, the number of chairpersons (independent experts) of the Economic Council has increased from three to four, and the responsibilities of the Council have expanded. Such figures now also head the Environmental Economic Council and the Productivity Council (meeting EU requirements) and act as the fiscal watchdog (related to the Budget Law). The chairs prepare reports that members representing unions, employers, independent experts, the central bank and the government then discuss. The reports typically garner media attention. The chairs are nonpartisan positions, typically held by university professors who usually serve for several years.
Citations:
Regeringsgrundlag 2022. Ansvar for Danmark. https://www.stm.dk/statsministeriet/publikationer/regeringsgrundlag-2022/
The formation process includes several commissions: the Strukturkommissionen (infrastructure commission), the Velfærdskommissionen (welfare commission), the Arbejdsmarkedskommissionen (labor market commission), the Skattekommissionen (tax commission), the Produktivitetskommissionen (productivity commission), the Dagpengekommissionen (unemployment insurance commission) and the Reformkommissionen (the reform committee). Each of these commissions has been chaired by highly respected university professors, and most have had independent secretariats to ensure their independence.
The current government, which took office in 2022, has proposed the creation of 12 new commissions to prepare reports on a wide variety of issues, such as the future of welfare institutions, and child and youth life (Regeringsgrundlag 2022). These committees will be independent of the government, and they are likely to be chaired by respected academics.
The political administration is highly professional and includes in-house expertise, such as individuals with PhDs. However, for most policy areas, policymakers rely on advisory councils or expert committees as part of a consensus tradition.
On a more permanent basis, the Danish Economic Council plays an important role as an independent institution, as politicians heed its recommendations. Since 2007, the number of chairpersons (independent experts) of the Economic Council has increased from three to four, and the responsibilities of the Council have expanded. Such figures now also head the Environmental Economic Council and the Productivity Council (meeting EU requirements) and act as the fiscal watchdog (related to the Budget Law). The chairs prepare reports that members representing unions, employers, independent experts, the central bank and the government then discuss. The reports typically garner media attention. The chairs are nonpartisan positions, typically held by university professors who usually serve for several years.
Citations:
Regeringsgrundlag 2022. Ansvar for Danmark. https://www.stm.dk/statsministeriet/publikationer/regeringsgrundlag-2022/
Graph View
To what extent does the government facilitate the participation of trade unions and business organizations in policymaking?
10
9
9
The government is able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government is able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is rarely able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
2
1
1
The government is not able to effectively involve trade unions and business organizations in policy development.
Denmark has a long-standing tradition of including trade unions and business organizations in the policy process, particularly through tripartite negotiations. During the legislative process, these social partners are routinely consulted and invited to provide information on proposals. More broadly, interest organizations also offer valuable information to politicians and civil servants. This practice is formalized through the Economic Council, where major organizations are represented.
Tripartite negotiations are likely the most important venue for exchanging information and developing policy involving trade unions and employer organizations. These negotiations are informal, as they are not regulated by law. This informality means there is no set schedule for when negotiations should occur; the government decides when to call them. Despite their informal nature, these negotiations are crucial and have been used to agree on issues such as wage compensation during the pandemic. They address various labor market issues, ranging from sexual harassment to long-term investment in lifelong learning and education (Ministry of Employment 2023).
The tripartite negotiations secure information flows between major stakeholders in the Danish labor market, both private and public, and ensure a high degree of legitimacy for proposals that the government can then turn into legislation or adopt in collective agreements. Some observers find that the tripartite negotiations are opaque and lack transparency. Nevertheless, these negotiations have proven useful in avoiding conflict between workers and employers and in securing stability in the Danish labor market.
Citations:
Ministry of Employment. 2023. “Trepartsaftaler.” https://bm.dk/arbejdsomraader/politiske-aftaler/trepartsaftaler
Tripartite negotiations are likely the most important venue for exchanging information and developing policy involving trade unions and employer organizations. These negotiations are informal, as they are not regulated by law. This informality means there is no set schedule for when negotiations should occur; the government decides when to call them. Despite their informal nature, these negotiations are crucial and have been used to agree on issues such as wage compensation during the pandemic. They address various labor market issues, ranging from sexual harassment to long-term investment in lifelong learning and education (Ministry of Employment 2023).
The tripartite negotiations secure information flows between major stakeholders in the Danish labor market, both private and public, and ensure a high degree of legitimacy for proposals that the government can then turn into legislation or adopt in collective agreements. Some observers find that the tripartite negotiations are opaque and lack transparency. Nevertheless, these negotiations have proven useful in avoiding conflict between workers and employers and in securing stability in the Danish labor market.
Citations:
Ministry of Employment. 2023. “Trepartsaftaler.” https://bm.dk/arbejdsomraader/politiske-aftaler/trepartsaftaler
To what extent does the government facilitate the participation of leading social welfare CSOs in policymaking?
10
9
9
The government is able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government is able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is rarely able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
2
1
1
The government is not able to effectively involve leading social welfare CSOs in policy development.
In Denmark, the inclusion of civil organizations related to social welfare in policymaking processes is very common. Organizations in this policy area have the same access to the legislative process as other organized interests. These organizations are consulted and provide information to the legislative process, making the consultation ongoing and frequent. The same applies at the municipal level, which is responsible for implementing large parts of social welfare policies. Local branches of the major peak organizations are included in decisions made by the city council. At this level of government, the consultation is also frequent and ongoing.
In many areas of social welfare, regulation and initiatives originate from tripartite negotiations involving the state, unions and relevant employers’ organizations. These negotiations are informal, but their results are often converted into law when required or adopted in collective agreements.
This process is rather inclusive, but there is a bias toward larger organizations having easier access to the decision-making process, partly because they represent broader constituencies and partly because they provide more legitimacy to the process. Consequently, some areas in which the level of organization is low and in which the users of social services are socially weak do not have the same access to decision-makers. One example of such an area is the topic of homeless, for which few organizations exist (Christiansen et al. 2022).
Citations:
Christiansen et al. 2022. Politik og forvaltning. 5. udg. København: Hans Reitzel.
In many areas of social welfare, regulation and initiatives originate from tripartite negotiations involving the state, unions and relevant employers’ organizations. These negotiations are informal, but their results are often converted into law when required or adopted in collective agreements.
This process is rather inclusive, but there is a bias toward larger organizations having easier access to the decision-making process, partly because they represent broader constituencies and partly because they provide more legitimacy to the process. Consequently, some areas in which the level of organization is low and in which the users of social services are socially weak do not have the same access to decision-makers. One example of such an area is the topic of homeless, for which few organizations exist (Christiansen et al. 2022).
Citations:
Christiansen et al. 2022. Politik og forvaltning. 5. udg. København: Hans Reitzel.
To what extent does the government facilitate the participation of leading environmental CSOs in policymaking?
10
9
9
The government is able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government is able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is rarely able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
2
1
1
The government is not able to effectively involve leading environmental CSOs in policy development.
The increasing focus on climate and environmental challenges has boosted the profile of a number of civil organizations, including established ones like the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and Greenpeace Denmark, as well as various grassroots organizations.
The traditions in this area are not as strong as in other policy areas, but organizations are routinely listened to when environmental policies are prepared. They also play an important role in agenda setting. Organizations representing agriculture have been very active and vocal, since environmental and climate policies may have significant implications for the sector.
The Ministry of the Environment routinely incorporates these organizations into hearing processes related to environmental policy (Ministry of the Environment 2023).
Citations:
Ministry of the Environment. 2023. “Hearing List.” https://hoeringsportalen.dk/Hearing?Authorities=Milj%C3%B8ministeriet
The traditions in this area are not as strong as in other policy areas, but organizations are routinely listened to when environmental policies are prepared. They also play an important role in agenda setting. Organizations representing agriculture have been very active and vocal, since environmental and climate policies may have significant implications for the sector.
The Ministry of the Environment routinely incorporates these organizations into hearing processes related to environmental policy (Ministry of the Environment 2023).
Citations:
Ministry of the Environment. 2023. “Hearing List.” https://hoeringsportalen.dk/Hearing?Authorities=Milj%C3%B8ministeriet
Graph View
To what extent does the government publish data and information that empowers citizens to hold the government accountable?
10
9
9
The government publishes data and information in a manner that empowers citizens to hold the government accountable.
8
7
6
7
6
Most of the time, the government publishes data and information in a manner that empowers citizens to hold the government accountable.
5
4
3
4
3
The government rarely publishes data and information in a manner that strengthens citizens to hold the government accountable.
2
1
1
The government does not publish data and information in a manner that strengthens citizens’ capacity to hold the government accountable.
The Agency for Digital Government (Digitaliseringsstyrelsen) is responsible for ensuring that data standards are met, data storage is secure and IT systems are protected from cyberattacks. Numerous open data portals are available to Danes. Most notably, Statistics Denmark has an API and a data portal through which citizens and companies can retrieve data. The Danish parliament has also developed an API through which minutes from meetings can be accessed.
In line with the long tradition of open and transparent governance, the Danish government makes data available in a user-friendly manner. Currently, the largest obstacle to data access is that some citizens lack the IT skills to access the data.
Furthermore, Danish government agencies consistently measure their user-friendliness and publish these data.
In line with the long tradition of open and transparent governance, the Danish government makes data available in a user-friendly manner. Currently, the largest obstacle to data access is that some citizens lack the IT skills to access the data.
Furthermore, Danish government agencies consistently measure their user-friendliness and publish these data.