Denmarks Social Democratic Government and the Marshall Plan 1947-1950 (Studies in 20th & 21st Century European History,)

On the basis of thorough source studies, Sorensen questions the up-until-now appreciatory evaluation of the importance of the Marshall Plan for the Danish society. On one hand, the implementation played a role in initiating structural changes in the Danish economy, with the plan itsself complementing the social democratic reconstruction policy during the first few postwar years. On the other hand, the social democratic government failed in its effort ot create consensus regarding more stringent control of economic policy and recognition of the necessity of an industrialization policy. As a result the Marshall Plan had only limited success in Denmark. The implementation of the plan gave rise to serious conflicts between the Social Democratic government and the opposition, and between the government and the business community.