Political tendencies in the European Union and Denmark: An analysis of political standpoints in regard to voter support for the National Conservative Partiesand Social Democratic Parties in the European Union and Denmark

Abstract

This thesis examines how cultural and socio-economic factors have contributed to changes in voter support throughout the European Union and in Denmark. Election results are examined from the last four national elections in the EU. These data show an increase in voter support for National Conservative Parties and a decline in voter support for Social Democratic Parties in the EU which stands in contrast to what is happening in Denmark. Public opinion polls are then used to show attitudes towards immigration and immigrants to illuminate cultural and socio-economic factors contributing to the support of different political parties. It is shown that there is a great scepticism towards immigration and especially towards the unsuccessful integration of immigrants. Few Europeans find the added diversity and resulting multicultural society beneficial and they greatly abhor the rise of parallel societies undermining their national identity and coherence.In answering the second research question, the thesis explores the same tendencies with regards to Denmark. It is shown that Danesagree with many of the same sentiments. However, in Denmark it will be shown that this has not led to a decline in voter support for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Previous and current political manifestos are examined in order to show a marked shift in the SDP immigration and refugee policy. The constituents of the Danish political parties will be examined and it will be shown that there is a clash of socio-economic classes between large portions of voters and immigrants and descendants of immigrants competing for similar jobs and social benefits. At the same time, it will be shown that immigrants and descendants are more frequently appearing in crime and unemployment statistics. The marked shift in SDP policy is what this thesis attributes the maintained voter support of SDP in Denmark whilemanaging to poach some previous Danish People’s Party (DPP) voters. The Court of Justice of the European Union is analysed with regards to national sovereignty in an extension of the border debate that precedes it in this paper. These areas add to the complex views of the nation state vs the supranational institutions. These areas will be analysed through the opinions of the DPP and the SDP in Denmark. The discussion will explore what is happening in the European countries. It will carefully consider thecomplex interplay of globalisation, immigration and changing values. It will show that the tendencies shown across the EU can be explained by a theoretical framework by Øyvind Østerud, Jonathan Haidt, Thierry Baudet and Poul Scheffer.