In my quest to understand the role of competitiveness in happy Nordic society, I’ve touched on the cultural phenomenon of hygge. I was intrigued by another Danish (and more generally Nordic) concept that may shed some light on the Danes’ high levels of wellbeing: “Janteloven”, or Jante’s law. I learnt that Danes don’t brag.
Jante’s law describes a set of cultural norms articulated in Aksel Sandemose’s satirical 1933 novel A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks, all based on the idea that no-one should think they are special or any better than anyone else. It has been described as promoting an “aggressive modesty”.
But what exactly does Jante’s Law mean in practice and how reflective is it of Danish life? And if so, might it have something to do with competition and Danish happiness?
notacompetition 