liberalism and radicalism in denmark

This article gives an overview of liberalism in Denmark. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.

Introduction

Liberalism became a dominant force in 1840, but developed into a conservative direction. After 1870 a second liberal current, based on farmers, arose. This current got finally divided in a rather small social liberal party, Danish Social Liberal Party (Det Radikale Venstre, member LI, ELDR), and a major conservative liberal party, Liberal Party (Venstre Danmarks liberale parti, member LI, ELDR). The origin of the word Venstre in both party names is to be found in the fact that the major Conservative party in the 19th century was called Right, and Venstre (Left) was formed as an opposition party. Thus it doesn't refer to the traditional left/right division of the political scale, Venstre is usually considered a right wing party and Det Radikale Venstre as a centre party.

The timeline

National Liberal Party

1840: The National Liberal Party (Nationalliberale Parti)) is formed
1884: The National Liberal Party merged into the conservative Right (Hyre)

From The United Left to Liberal Party (Venstre)

1870: Liberal farmers formed the liberal party The United Left (Det Forenede Venstre)
1892: The United Left fell apart in the Left Reform Party (Venstrereformpartiet) and the ⇒ Moderate Left
1905: A radical faction of the party seceded as present-day ⇒ Danish Social Liberal Party
1910: The VRP and the ⇒ Moderate Left merged into Liberal Party (Venstre, now usually not translated into English)
1934: A right-wing faction seceded as the conservative Free People's Party (Det Frie Folkeparti)
1965: A left-wing faction formed the ⇒ Liberal Center

Moderate Left

1892: A right wing faction of the ⇒ United Left formed the Moderate Left (Det Moderate Venstre)
1910: The Moderate Left merged into the new ⇒ Liberal Party

Danish Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre)

1905: A radical faction of the ⇒ Left Reform Party seceded as the present-day Danish Social Liberal Party (Det Radikale Venstre, literally Radical Left)

Liberal Center

1965: A left-wing faction of the ⇒ Left formed the Liberal Center (Liberalt Centrum)
1968: LC disappeared

Liberal leaders

Danish Social Liberal Party: Carl Theodor Zahle - Hilmar Baunsgaard - Marianne Jelved
Liberal Party: Poul Hartling - Uffe Ellemann-Jensen - Anders Fogh Rasmussen

References

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