Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In contrast, the United States subscribes to John Locke's version of the
social contract: a “don't fence me in” ideal of rugged individualism, where
you can do anything you like as long as you don't hurt your neighbor. Just
keep the government of our backs. In some ways, this suits us: As we have
always had more elbow room, we can get away with our independent spirit.
h anks to our wide-open spaces, determination to be self-sui cient, and
relative population sparsity, it's easier—and arguably less disruptive—for us
to ignore the free rider problem.
If I had to identify one major character l aw of Americans, it might be
our inability to appreciate the free rider problem. Many Americans practi-
cally consider it their birthright to make money they didn't really earn, enjoy
the fruits of our society while cheating on their taxes, drive a gas-guzzler just
because they can af ord it, take up two parking spots so no one will bump
their precious car, and generally jigger the system if they can get away with it.
We often seem to consider actions like these acceptable...without considering
the fact that if everyone did it, our society as a whole would suf er.
h e consequences of ignoring this reality were thrown into sharp relief
with the crippling i nancial crisis that began in 2008. In the lead-up to the crisis,
smart people knew deep down that existing policies would not be sustainable
if everyone jumped in, trying to make money from speculation rather than
substance. h ey gambled that they could pull it of , and the free rider problem
wouldn't kick it. But then it did. As Europe, too, got caught up in this “casino
capitalism,” we saw how interconnected our world has become, and how—with
the globalization of our economies—there's now only one game in town.
A good example of how the Danish social ethic dif ers from others is a
simple one: Danes are famous for not jaywalking. Even if the roads are empty
at 3 a.m., pedestrians still stop and wait at a red light. If there's no trai c in
sight, my American individualism whispers, “Why obey a silly rule?” And so
I jaywalk, boldly, assuming that my fellow pedestrians will appreciate my lead
and follow me. In most countries, they do. But when I jaywalk in Denmark,
the locals frown at me like I'm a bad inl uence on the children present. h at
social pressure impacts even a hurried, jaywalking tourist. So, rather than
feel like an evil person, I wait for the light.
I don't know how well I'd i t in if I lived in Denmark. But their personal
and societal formula intrigues me. On my last visit, I asked Danish people
I met about their society—and why they're so happy. Here's a sampling of
what they told me:
