In the current debate about the future welfare state, it is important to know the historical context in which it was created. In his research, PhD fellow Morten Larsen tries to illustrate the historical correlation between politics and the trades and industries. He tells about the essential period of 1945-62, a period where Denmark faces vast social challenges. Morten Larsen illuminates the role of the industrial sector in the creation of the welfare state, especially attentive to the initiatives of the Federation of Danish Industries. At the same time he draws parallels with DI, one of the most important interest groups today. The opinion of Morten Larsen is that earlier the role of the industrial sector was underestimated and that the role indeed was essential for the development.