An EL element is provided in which a conjugate polymer that has a polythiophene derivative, a polyaniline derivative, a polypyrrole derivative or a polyfuran derivative as a fundamental skeleton and is soluble in an organic solvent is oxidized in its main chain with a dopant of an electron-accepting organic molecule that does not contain an acid component, and the doped conjugate polymer is used as a material to form a hole injecting layer. The polymer, being soluble in an organic solvent, can be formed in film even on a substrate high in the water repellency; that is, it can be easily formed in film on a TFT substrate and the like indispensable for an active matrix display device. Furthermore, since a dopant that does not contain an acid component is used, influence on an organic thin film and an electrode that are in contact with the hole injecting layer can be suppressed to the minimum level.