Law of Jante: Difference between revisions
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The '''Jante Law''' ([[Danish language|Danish]] and [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]]: '''''Janteloven''''' [[Swedish language|Swedish]]: '''''Jantelagen''''' [[Finnish language|Finnish]]: '''''Jante-laki''''') is a concept created by the [[Denmark|Danish]]/[[Norway|Norwegian]] author [[Aksel Sandemose]] in his novel ''[[A refugee crosses his tracks]]'' (''En flygtning krysser sitt spor'', [[1933]]), where he portrays the small Danish town ''Jante'', modelled upon his native town [[Nykøbing Mors]] as it was in the beginning of the [[20th century]]. |
The '''Jante Law''' ([[Danish language|Danish]] and [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]]: '''''Janteloven''''' [[Swedish language|Swedish]]: '''''Jantelagen''''' [[Finnish language|Finnish]]: '''''Jante-laki''''') is a concept created by the [[Denmark|Danish]]/[[Norway|Norwegian]] author [[Aksel Sandemose]] in his novel ''[[A refugee crosses his tracks]]'' (''En flygtning krysser sitt spor'', [[1933]]), where he portrays the small Danish town ''Jante'', modelled upon his native town [[Nykøbing Mors]] as it was in the beginning of the [[20th century]]. |
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== The Rules of the Law == |
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There are 10 different rules in the law, but they are all variations on a single theme and are usually referred to as a homogenous unit: ''Don't think you're anyone special or that you're better than us.'' |
There are 10 different rules in the law, but they are all variations on a single theme and are usually referred to as a homogenous unit: ''Don't think you're anyone special or that you're better than us.'' The 10 rules are: |
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#You shall not think that ''you'' are special. |
#You shall not think that ''you'' are special. |
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#You shall not think that anyone cares about ''you''. |
#You shall not think that anyone cares about ''you''. |
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#You shall not think that you can teach ''us'' anything. |
#You shall not think that you can teach ''us'' anything. |
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There is also an eleventh paragraph, formulated as a veiled [[threat]], known as Jante [[penal law]]: |
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*Don't you think I know anything about you? |
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In the book, those Janters who transgress this unwritten 'law' are regarded with suspicion and some hostility, as it goes against communal desire in the town, which is to preserve social stability and uniformity. |
In the book, those Janters who transgress this unwritten 'law' are regarded with suspicion and some hostility, as it goes against communal desire in the town, which is to preserve social stability and uniformity. |
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== Current interpretations == |
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The "Jante law" has become a set phrase and a symbol of what many residents and also foreign visitors have seen as a permeating cultural code in the [[Nordic countries]]: that it is frowned upon to appear to elevate oneself or claim to be better or smarter than others. Those who assert to the influence of the Jante law often maintain that the values of the Danish and other Nordic [[welfare state]]s are to blame for (the persistence of) the Jante law, in particular their stress on [[social equality]] and their emphasis on fairness for all. Others point to such traits as [[protestant work ethic]] and an early development of a modern [[central government]] in the Nordic states. |
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The "Jante law" has become a set phrase and a symbol of what some see as a permeating cultural code in the [[Nordic countries]]: that it is frowned upon to appear to elevate oneself or claim to be better or smarter than others. |
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=== Right-wing === |
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From the right wing of politics, the interpretation is usually that the Nordic [[welfare state]]s and [[social equality|equality]]-promoting legislation (such as [[progressive taxation system]]s) are an expression of [[skepticism]] or [[envy]] towards those who did better in life and are therefore richer. Others point to such traits as [[protestant work ethic]] and an early development of a modern [[central government]] in the Nordic states. |
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=== Left-wing === |
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On the other side of the political spectrum, the same laws can be interpreted as the hostile attitude towards [[immigration]] that characterises some parties of the Scandinavian right (such as the Norwegian [[Progress Party (Norway)|Progress Party]] and the [[Danish People's Party]]). |
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== Occurrence in Other Parts of the World == |
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It should be noted, however, that this kind of communal order has been observed in many areas of the world. It has echoes in the attitude towards others of some of the inhabitants of north-east [[England]], especially in [[Yorkshire]], where it is exemplified in sayings such as "Just who does he think he is?". The "[[tall poppy syndrome]]" is another expression of the idea, and is a prominent phenomenon in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. The Jante law should also be seen in the light of the "smallness" of the individual Nordic nations, which forms an important part of their self-image. |
It should be noted, however, that this kind of communal order has been observed in many areas of the world. It has echoes in the attitude towards others of some of the inhabitants of north-east [[England]], especially in [[Yorkshire]], where it is exemplified in sayings such as "Just who does he think he is?". The "[[tall poppy syndrome]]" is another expression of the idea, and is a prominent phenomenon in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. The Jante law should also be seen in the light of the "smallness" of the individual Nordic nations, which forms an important part of their self-image. |
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A smaller-scale similar topic is the practice of ''[[barato]]'' among gamblers in the [[Spanish Golden Century]]. |
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Winners were expected to share a portion of their prizes with onlookers. |
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Behind this there was a belief that [[luck]] comes from God and is an opportunity to show generosity. |
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There was also the threat of the onlookers (often armed criminals) if they did not get an easy profit. |
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--> |
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A smaller-scale similar topic is the practice of ''[[barato]]'' among gamblers in the [[Spanish Golden Century]]. Winners were expected to share a portion of their prizes with onlookers. Behind this there was a belief that [[luck]] comes from God and is an opportunity to show generosity. There was also the threat of the onlookers (often armed criminals) if they did not get an easy profit. |
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== Current Debate == |
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The topic of the Jante Law is quite controversial in Denmark and there is some controversy to its purported permeation of the modern Danish character. Many view its influence as quite overstated, as modern Danish society has distanced itself from the rural communities where such views are more easily maintained, to a number of urban communities where the influence of the Jante Law is smaller. |
The topic of the Jante Law is quite controversial in Denmark and there is some controversy to its purported permeation of the modern Danish character. Many view its influence as quite overstated, as modern Danish society has distanced itself from the rural communities where such views are more easily maintained, to a number of urban communities where the influence of the Jante Law is smaller. |
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Revision as of 21:26, 14 January 2006
The Jante Law (Danish and Norwegian: Janteloven Swedish: Jantelagen Finnish: Jante-laki) is a concept created by the Danish/Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in his novel A refugee crosses his tracks (En flygtning krysser sitt spor, 1933), where he portrays the small Danish town Jante, modelled upon his native town Nykøbing Mors as it was in the beginning of the 20th century.
The Rules of the Law
There are 10 different rules in the law, but they are all variations on a single theme and are usually referred to as a homogenous unit: Don't think you're anyone special or that you're better than us. The 10 rules are:
- You shall not think that you are special.
- You shall not think that you are of the same standing as us.
- You shall not think that you are smarter than us.
- Don't fancy yourself as being better than us.
- You shall not think that you know more than us.
- You shall not think that you are more important than us.
- You shall not think that you are good at anything.
- You shall not laugh at us.
- You shall not think that anyone cares about you.
- You shall not think that you can teach us anything.
There is also an eleventh paragraph, formulated as a veiled threat, known as Jante penal law:
- Don't you think I know anything about you?
In the book, those Janters who transgress this unwritten 'law' are regarded with suspicion and some hostility, as it goes against communal desire in the town, which is to preserve social stability and uniformity.
Current interpretations
The "Jante law" has become a set phrase and a symbol of what some see as a permeating cultural code in the Nordic countries: that it is frowned upon to appear to elevate oneself or claim to be better or smarter than others.
Right-wing
From the right wing of politics, the interpretation is usually that the Nordic welfare states and equality-promoting legislation (such as progressive taxation systems) are an expression of skepticism or envy towards those who did better in life and are therefore richer. Others point to such traits as protestant work ethic and an early development of a modern central government in the Nordic states.
Left-wing
On the other side of the political spectrum, the same laws can be interpreted as the hostile attitude towards immigration that characterises some parties of the Scandinavian right (such as the Norwegian Progress Party and the Danish People's Party).
Occurrence in Other Parts of the World
It should be noted, however, that this kind of communal order has been observed in many areas of the world. It has echoes in the attitude towards others of some of the inhabitants of north-east England, especially in Yorkshire, where it is exemplified in sayings such as "Just who does he think he is?". The "tall poppy syndrome" is another expression of the idea, and is a prominent phenomenon in Australia and New Zealand. The Jante law should also be seen in the light of the "smallness" of the individual Nordic nations, which forms an important part of their self-image.
A smaller-scale similar topic is the practice of barato among gamblers in the Spanish Golden Century. Winners were expected to share a portion of their prizes with onlookers. Behind this there was a belief that luck comes from God and is an opportunity to show generosity. There was also the threat of the onlookers (often armed criminals) if they did not get an easy profit.
Current Debate
The topic of the Jante Law is quite controversial in Denmark and there is some controversy to its purported permeation of the modern Danish character. Many view its influence as quite overstated, as modern Danish society has distanced itself from the rural communities where such views are more easily maintained, to a number of urban communities where the influence of the Jante Law is smaller.