I recently visited my parents, both well into their seventies, at their cozy Norwegian home, in the village where I grew up, Røros. I found myself surrounded by an open landscape that seems to hold the wisdom of centuries. A normal Wednesday, with perfect weather outside to stay inside. I had planned to take a few days off to write and enjoy some me-time, but my 8-year-old daughter and her cousin were running around, filling the house with the kind of chaos only youthful energy can bring. Meanwhile, my mother, juggling grandchildren and dinner preparations, suddenly had to take off for a Dugnad .
Dugnad. The word holds a special place in Norwegian culture, embodying the spirit of communal effort, volunteerism, and collective responsibility. Even at their age, my parents wouldn't dream of missing a Dugnad, not even when the house is filled with visiting family. To them, and to many Norwegians, Dugnad isn’t just an event—it’s a way of life, a declaration of belonging, and an expression of interdependence that goes back generations. As I watched my parents prepare to contribute their time and energy to a community project, it struck me that this deep-rooted cultural practice holds lessons far beyond our small village. It might just be the key to solving some of the most pressing challenges facing America today.
The Viking Code: A heritage of dynamic equilibrium
Dugnad is more than just a communal task; it's a manifestation of a cultural ethos baked into "the Viking Code"—a set of values that has guided Norwegian society for centuries and for me has become a blueprint for creating a vital society where high-performance individualism can flourish together with a strong sense of collectivism. While Norwegians are fiercely independent and value personal freedom, there's an equally strong commitment to the common good. Dugnad is where these two forces meet.
In Norway, Dugnad can take many forms: cleaning up a local park, painting a community center, or even helping a neighbor with their roof. It’s never about grand gestures but rather about everyone doing their part, however small. The beauty of Dugnad lies in its simplicity and its ability to unite people from all walks of life in a shared purpose. It's a practice that has kept Norwegian communities resilient and cohesive, even in the face of external pressures and internal differences.
The American paradox: Individualism vs. collectivism
In contrast, American culture has long celebrated the rugged individualist, the self-made person who pulls themselves up by their bootstraps. This ethos has driven innovation and prosperity, but it has also fostered division and a sense of isolation, particularly in times of crisis. The challenges of the 21st century—global pandemics, climate change, economic inequality—require a level of collective action that American society is struggling to achieve.
But in Minnesota, a state with deep Norwegian roots, Governor Tim Walz’s leadership style resonates with the spirit of Dugnad and the core of the Viking Code. His background as a teacher and his approach to governance emphasize collaboration, shared responsibility, and a deep connection to community—principles that echo the Norwegian tradition of Dugnad.
While Kamala Harris represents a historic and progressive vision for America, her running mate embodies a quieter but equally powerful potential for change. His leadership is rooted in the very essence of what makes Minnesota, and by extension Norwegian-American communities, unique: a commitment to collective well-being that does not diminish individual rights but enhances them.
Dugnad as a Declaration of Interdependence
America is at a crossroads. The polarization and fragmentation we see today are symptoms of a deeper issue: the tension between individualism and the need for collective action. But what if this tension could be resolved? What if America embraced a new "Declaration of Interdependence," modeled on the principles of Dugnad?
Imagine a country where communities come together regularly across parties to address local issues—where volunteering isn’t just an occasional activity but a regular, expected part of life. Imagine corporations adopting these principles, encouraging employees to contribute to community projects as part of their work culture. Imagine a political system where leaders prioritize the common good over partisan gain.
What may sound like a utopian fantasy are the principles of Dugnad that have been successfully implemented in Norway for generations. Tim Walz makes a plea for such community spirit that can be adapted to fit the unique contours of American society, providing a framework for addressing everything from economic inequality to environmental sustainability.
The Viking Code and America's future
As what has been coined a pivotal moment in American history approaches, the lessons from Norway can serve as guiding philosophy for life. The spirit of Dugnad and the Viking Code offer a path forward for America—a way to bridge the divide between individualism and collectivism, to create a high-performance culture rooted in shared values. It’s a vision of a society where personal freedom is not only preserved but enriched by a deep commitment to the common good.
America has the opportunity to return to the path of such a legacy—one that future generations will look back on with pride. But it will require a shift in thinking, a willingness to embrace interdependence as a strength rather than a weakness. It will require a new declaration, one that honors the individual while committing to the collective.
It will require American Dugnad.
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