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Coping with COVID-19. Dugnad: a case of the moral premise of the Norwegian welfare state

Ann Christin Eklund Nilsen (Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway)
Ove Skarpenes (Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway)

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy

ISSN: 0144-333X

Article publication date: 6 August 2020

Issue publication date: 5 April 2022

918

Abstract

Purpose

This paper provides an analysis of the notion of dugnad (collective effort) in the context of the first weeks of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Norway. By appealing to people's sense of collective effort (dugnadsånd) Norwegian leaders successfully managed to coordinate the actions of the population and beat the outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument builds on the pragmatic sociology associated with Boltanski and Thévenot and their “orders of worth”. Building on qualitative interview studies of the Norwegian middle and working classes a moral ideal type labelled “the socially responsible citizen” is identified.

Findings

The authors argue that dugnad is embedded in a moral repertoire of the socially responsible citizen that is indicative of a specific Norwegian welfare mentality and that is imperative for the sustainability and resilience of the Norwegian welfare model. This repertoire is found across social classes and has to be understood in light of the Norwegian welfare model and the role of civil society.

Social implications

The analysis explains the societal impact of the appeal and endorsement of the notion of dugnad in the context of the outbreak of COVID-19.

Originality/value

The paper explores the roots and impact of a social phenomenon that has not been a matter for much sociological analysis.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors have contributed equally in writing the paper.

Citation

Nilsen, A.C.E. and Skarpenes, O. (2022), "Coping with COVID-19. Dugnad: a case of the moral premise of the Norwegian welfare state", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 42 No. 3/4, pp. 262-275. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-07-2020-0263

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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