Back in the game

Busy these days, trying to get an overview of prominent human rights theorists in order to finish a long awaited paper at the History of Ideas.
This past week, we have witnessed an interesting development in the Danish People's Party. This is the 3rd largest political party in Denmark, currently in coalition with the government and eager defenders of so-called Danishness, the topic of my E.Ma Thesis. While I have my ideological differences with this party, every 6th Dane votes for them and thus, their democratic legitimacy is not to be questioned. However, some of the party's own members chose to question the policies of the leadership and subsequently faced 'exclusion' i.e. a letter saying 'you are no longer to consider yourself a member of the Danish People's Party'. These members had publicly stated discontentment with the leadership and made remarks that were not consistent with the official party line. So, exclusion.
The Danish media focus on the excluded members' account of the events. Apparently, freedom of expression is not allowed within the party. One is tempted to conclude that freedom of expression is a fighting creed for the party rather than a substantial freedom granted the utmost respect by its leaders and prominent members. As one stated, it is granted only when you say something about 'the muhamedans' [sic.], not when questioning the motives and work ethics of the party leaders. A figthing creed for what then? I wonder whether we are actually witnessing the implosion of this party - and if so, my guess is that this can be counted as a result of a incoherent political profile. A party with one issue on its agenda - the exclusion and marginalisation of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in general and muslims in particular - is bound to have some difficulties when push comes to shove. So now, freedom of expression is under siege from disgruntled party members who wanted to put other issues on the agenda. Or comment on the structure of the party itself. Not allowed, agree with party line or leave. Aha. Sounds totalitarian to me...

Thanks to the abundance of free newspapers being delivered every night around 3 am on my doorstep, I was enlightened today about by Nyhedsavisen. They covered an interesting marketing initiative developed by two young Danes, both members (or previous, I couldn't figure it out) of the Danish People's Party. I haven't entirely formed a qualified opinion about the project yet but first impression is definitely 'interesting' and 'worth following'. Under the name Defending denmark - purposely written like this - these two guys are trying to brand Denmark - or denmark - in a new fashion.
As much as I despise branding and other marketing-type concepts stretched to cover simply all areas of life into the infinite, this has a point. Simply because the Danish state has embraced this method of promotion as well. Løgstrup (Danish theologian, very cool, will write about him some other day) once taught me that if you want to reach people, you have to speak a language they understand and are willing to listen to. So, branding language seems appropriate since the Danish Prime Minister has commissioned a commission, as it so often happens in these egalitarian democracies up here, to develop the new brand of Denmark (written in the traditional sense). The intention by Defending denmark to brand from a different perspective is therefore highly relevant and, on first impression, seems a lot more attractive than the government's strategy.
What caught my admiration first off was the attempt to defend Danishness from a realistic identity perspective. Building on investigations and (as far as I've seen so far) poignant observations about the Danish national idetity, it seems to represent a more realistic image - although still an image like all national identities are - of its core components. Also, I sensed a visionary intention to discuss these 'core components' and a willingness to scrutinize whether they really exist. Anyway, they write in English on their website so check it out and form a more qualified opinion than me, please... Address is www.defendingdenmark.com.