A new investigation into the state of Danish democracy, Power Investigation 2.0, has begun, aiming to identify and address potential challenges to the country’s democratic foundations by 2028. The investigation has already raised important questions about transparency and the influence of policy professionals.

Professor Michael Bang Petersen, leader of the Power Investigation, warns that Danish democracy is vulnerable due to a reliance on traditions and norms rather than strong legal safeguards. He expressed concern about the potential for a decline in democratic values, citing examples of countries where democracy has weakened.

The investigation highlights the increasing prevalence of “policy professionals” who move between roles in politics, lobbying, and business, potentially reducing transparency in the democratic process. This has sparked debate about the balance between democracy as a way of life and democracy as a legal framework.

Petersen emphasizes the importance of democratic education in primary schools to cultivate strong democratic norms. He suggests that recent focus on reading and arithmetic skills may have overshadowed the discussion of democratic values, making democracy more vulnerable.

Conservative author Christian Egander Skov cautioned against relying solely on legal measures to protect democracy if societal norms are eroding. His concerns are echoed in discussions about the need to reinforce democratic values at the individual and community levels.