The cultural prerequisites
of social cohesion
With special attention to the nation of Denmark
Kasper Støvring
Institute of Literature, Media and Cultural Studies,
University of Southern Denmark, Sorø, Denmark
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the cultural prerequisites for the creation of social
cohesion, with particular reference to Denmark, a nation that has been found to exhibit strong social
cohesion.
Design/methodology/approach – The different cultural elements that characterize a society with
strong cohesion are investigated and an argument is presented as to how cohesion can be conserved.
Findings – Culture is understood as a social order based on mainly informal norms. Of these, trust is
vital in creating social cohesion. However, trust occurs only under specific conditions, and in this regard
the Danish nation, understood as a cultural community, is of interest. There is in Denmark a strong civil
society characterized by honesty, reliability, and mutuality, which historically is due to the existence of
several civil movements. In contrast to the idea that society can be integrated through policy initiatives,
it is proposed that social cohesion occurs precisely because of the existence of a certain culture.
Originality/value – The cultural and national aspect of trust is often underestimated in scientific
research. The paper shows the value of culture and national community.
Keywords Denmark, National cultures, Trust, Society, Cultural sociology, Cultural synergy
Paper type Research paper
Well-documented knowledge exists about Denmark and the Danes, which can be
summarized as follows: there is a widespread solidarity and positive national emotions
are strong; the country is culturally homogenous; peace and safety reigns; there are very
high levels of trust, prosperity, and freedom; the state is characterized by a low level of
corruption; and the Danes are very content with their lives[1]. In sociology, the attempt to
achieve such a high level of cohesion is sometimes expressed as “the problem of getting
to Denmark” (Fukuyama, 2011). However, cohesion cannot be and has not been the result
of mere institution building: it is also a matter of culture, and this article deals with the
part of social cohesion that depends on culture. In other words, there are specific cultural
prerequisites for social cohesion, and these can be found in a nation such as Denmark.
Over the past two decades, social cohesion has been a major “buzz word”, often
preached at the highest level. The Social Democratic Prime Minister from 1993-2001,
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, was quoted in the Danish newspaper Weekendavisen in
November 1999 as saying:
I use [...] the concept of cohesion – the glue which holds society together. It cannot be
reduced to laws and regulations. We cannot guarantee that society is held together, if
legislation is not based on some values that people can recognize.
Similarly, the Liberal Prime Minister from 2001-2009, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in his
speech delivered on the Constitutional Day in 2007 said:
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IJSSP
32,3/4
134
Received 6 March 2011
Revised 29 July 2011
Accepted 7 September 2011
International Journal of Sociology and
Social Policy
Vol. 32 No. 3/4, 2012
pp. 134-152
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0144-333X
DOI 10.1108/01443331211214721