Law of Jante

The Law of Jante (Danish: janteloven [ˈjæntəˌlɔwˀən, -lɒwˀ-])[note 1] is a code of conduct[1] originating in fiction and now used colloquially to denote a social attitude of disapproval towards expressions of individuality and personal success.

[3] The "Law" was first formulated as ten rules in Sandemose's satirical novel A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks (En flyktning krysser sitt spor, 1933), but the attitudes themselves are older.

The ten rules state: The Janters who transgress this unwritten "law" are regarded with suspicion and some hostility, as it goes against the town's communal desire to preserve harmony, social stability and uniformity.

Furthermore it was useful, depending fully on tone of voice, in financial extortion and enticement into criminal acts, and it could also be the best means of defense.Sandemose's novel described working-class life in the fictional town of Jante.

[9] While the original intention was as satire, Kim Orlin Kantardjiev, a Norwegian politician[10] and educational advisor, claims that the Law of Jante is taught in schools as more of a social code to encourage group behavior, and attempts to credit it with fueling Nordic countries' high happiness scores.