Danish Borders of Identity: Dankshed, Social Capital, And Immigration

Questioning national identity is an ongoing issue in Denmark. Danskhed, the Danish word roughly translated as “Danishness,” has a firm foundation in the historical homogeneity of culture and ethnicity. However, as global migration increases in the twenty-first century, notably with the influx of Syrian refugees, Danish national identity has a crisis of its own. There are both negative and positive reactions to increased multiculturalism, as seen in the comparison between far right politics and activist groups fighting to help refugees in Denmark. This essay aims to find elements within Denmark that are redefining social capital as a method to create a cohesive multicultural society. By placing historical context alongside contemporary identity clashes, defining key terms, and combining the theory of social capital with personal observations through interviews, each section contributes to provide a multidimensional analysis of Danish identity. The introduction of different perspectives on the issue show that national identities are imagined constructs, and can be redefined to be more inclusive. Can danskhed change to work to benefit both those who are native Danes, and those who are not?