Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to analyse the relationship between the procedural elements of consensus parliamentarism and the legislative process in the Folketing as well as their impact on the quality of the laws passed. We indicate important differences in the systemic design of the legislative process in the Folketing stemming from the systemic synergy of firm legal regulations and dynamic political agreements made in the pre-parliamentary phase. This defines the legislative process more broadly than is done traditionally and translates into the high quality of legislation to a significant extent. Furthermore, we emphasise the importance of the particular political culture and political pragmatism that characterise Danish political groupings, especially the so-called historical parties. Both of these features are present in Danish consensus parliamentarism and distinguish it from other stable democracies in Europe. The Basic Law of the Kingdom of Denmark, passed in 1953, established a unicameral Folketing structure based on political and pragmatic rationales. Its provisions concluded the over 100-year evolution of the Danish Parliament from asymmetric bicameralism and its various variations in subsequent basic laws, to a unicameral Folketing. This structured and streamlined the legislative process and made the Folketing today the most efficient and effective parliament in Europe in carrying out the legislative function.
Published Version
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