Denmark's Defiant Democrats: A Progressive Paradox in an Age of Right-Wing Populism

A Carrot, Kyiv, and a Contrarian Approach

Picture this: Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's Prime Minister, fresh off a clandestine trip to war-torn Kyiv, enjoys a simple baby carrot. This seemingly mundane detail reveals a leader grounded amidst global turmoil. Her fifth visit to Ukraine, coinciding with the 1,000th day of resistance and her own birthday, underscored Denmark's outsized contribution to the war effort.

But Ukraine is just one piece of the puzzle. Frederiksen has become a global figure, standing up to international pressure. However, the real story lies in her party's domestic success. The Danish Social Democrats are achieving progressive policy victories while much of the Western world drifts rightward.

A Liberal Wish List Fulfilled

Denmark's Social Democrats have enacted policies that read like a progressive dream. Early retirement for blue-collar workers, curbing private equity's grip on housing, a pioneering carbon tax on livestock, expanded reproductive rights – the list goes on. All this while maintaining a robust welfare state and fostering a competitive economy.

The Immigration Enigma: A Departure from the Global Left

Yet, there's a twist. Denmark's progressive success story includes a restrictive immigration policy. Frederiksen argues this stance isn't a betrayal of progressive values, but rather a crucial element. She believes high immigration levels strain public resources and undermine social cohesion, ultimately harming the working class.

"There is a price to pay when too many people enter your society,” Frederiksen states. “Those who pay the highest price… it’s the working class or lower class.”

The Global Migration Dilemma

The world is grappling with unprecedented mass migration. Driven by a complex interplay of factors – from poverty and conflict to technology and policy – this movement has outpaced public acceptance in many countries, fueling the rise of right-wing populism.

The Brahmin Left and the Forgotten Working Class

Economist Thomas Piketty's term, "Brahmin left," captures the shift in progressive focus from economic class to social issues and cultural identity. This shift, argues Piketty, helps explain why traditional working-class voters are abandoning left-leaning parties.

Denmark's Social Democrats: A New Model for the Left?

Denmark's Social Democrats offer a different model. By prioritizing the needs of their working-class base, including a more restrictive approach to immigration, they have achieved both electoral success and progressive policy change. This raises a crucial question for the global left: Is a restrictionist border policy a necessary component of successful modern progressivism?

The Danish Experiment: Success or Anomaly?

The Danish approach has garnered both praise and condemnation. While critics decry the policy as discriminatory, supporters point to its effectiveness in mitigating social strain and fostering a sense of national unity. The long-term implications of this experiment remain to be seen, but Denmark's defiant Democrats have undeniably sparked a crucial conversation about the future of the left.