The Danish Revolution in Local Government: How and Why?

Abstract

Danish local government is there to help you from birth to death: midwives are available before you are born, nurses visit the home after your birth, professional pedagogues take over as soon as mum and dad are back into the labour market, school dentists start a 12–15-year effort, often at the age of three, teachers will guide you through primary and secondary school, nurses and doctors — some in private practices, others at public hospitals — are available for free throughout life, home helpers will come to your house and provide cleaning, shopping and personal care when you can no longer take care of yourself, and homes for the elderly are available (although in short supply these days) when the need is there. If you or your family are poor, the municipality will take care of your burial. From that point on, however, you are on your own! On top of all this comes a plethora of income transfer programmes like sickness allowance, maternity allowance, disability pension, supplementary benefits, rent allowance and, finally, pensions for the elderly.