Danish Third World Policy: The Feed-back Problem

Abstract

Holm, H.-H. Danish Third World Policy: The Feed-back Problem. Cooperation and Conflict, XIV, 1979, 87-103.

The demands for a New International Economic Order from the Third World are presenting small and weak countries like Denmark with new and in some respects far-reaching demands. In the light of these demands Danish Third World policy is analysed through the use of a model for policy analysis. Danish policy is described both quantitatively and qualitatively and it is claimed that Danish Third World policy contains an active ideological and value promotive dimension together with a passive and status quo dimension. This split in policy is examined in the light of the future consequences. The feed-back from policy will over time result in changes in Danish Third World policy that will most likely lead to further reliance on the EEC. This is argued through an extensive analysis of the elite images of the external and the internal environment whereby the importance to the decision-makers of the EEC externally and the importance of the economic problems and the interest group activity internally is brought forward.