Associational autonomy or political influence? The case of the cooperation between the Danish Dairies' Buttermark Association and the Danish state, 1900-1912

摘要

Studies show that it may be risky for business associations to cooperate with the state. Trapped in a dilemma between a 'logic of membership' and a 'logic of influence', these associations may obtain political influence from cooperation but only at the risk of losing their associational autonomy, which often leads to dissatisfaction among members. This article presents an illustrative example of the loss of associational autonomy within the context of agricultural corporatism, namely the cooperation between the Buttermark Association (BA) and the Danish state on a law-supported branch trademark for all Danish butter intended to ensure high quality and hinder the fraudulent sale and adulteration of milk. This trademark is the famous lur brand required by Danish law from 1906 and still in use today.