Tim Walz’s leadership resonates with my country’s Viking Code. Here’s why this matters

I recently visited my parents, both in 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 the ages. A normal Wednesday with perfect weather outside to stay inside. I had planned to take a few days off to write and enjoy my time, but my 8-year-old daughter and her cousin were running around, filling the house with the kind of chaos that only youthful energy can bring. Meanwhile, my mother, juggling the 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 joint effort, volunteerism and collective responsibility. Even at their age, my parents wouldn’t dream of missing a Dugnad, even when the house is full of visiting family. For them and for many Norwegians, Dugnad is not just an event – it is a way of life, a statement 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 offers 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 Legacy of Dynamic Balance

Dugnad is more than a communal task; it is a manifestation of a cultural ethos contained in the “Viking Code”—a set of values ​​that has guided Norwegian society for centuries and for me has become a model for creating a vital society where high-performance individualism can flourish alongside strong sense . of collectivism. While Norwegians are fiercely independent and value personal freedom, there is an equally strong commitment to the common good. Dugnad is where these two forces meet.

In Norway, Dugnad can take many forms: cleaning 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, no matter how small. The beauty of Dugnad lies in its simplicity and ability to unite people from all walks of life for a common purpose. It is 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 himself up by his own belts. This ethos has driven innovation and prosperity, but it has also fostered division and a sense of isolation, especially 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 experience as a teacher and his approach to governance emphasize collaboration, shared responsibility and a deep connection with the community – principles that reflect Dugnad’s Norwegian tradition.

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 the 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 problem: 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 after Dugnad’s principles?

Imagine a country where communities regularly come together cross-party to tackle local issues – where volunteering is not just an occasional activity, but a normal, 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 Dugnad’s principles that have been successfully implemented in Norway for generations. Tim Walz argues for such a community spirit that can be tailored 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 was coined a pivotal moment in American history approaches, the lessons of Norway can serve as a guiding philosophy for life. Dugnad’s spirit and the Viking Code offer a way forward for America—a way to bridge the divide between individualism and collectivism, to create a high-performance culture rooted in shared values. It is a vision of a society where personal freedom is not only preserved but enriched by a deep commitment to the common good.

America has an 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 statement, one that honors the individual while engaging the collective.

The American Dugnad will be needed.

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