Morten Frederiksen (National Program Director of EVS Denmark) edited the book “Usikker modernitet – Danskernes værdier fra 1981 til 2017” (Uncertainty Modernity) published by Hans Reitzels Vorlag. The book, based on the results of EVS in Denmark, examines the development of the Danes’ values ​​over four decades and captures the historical changes that have taken place since 1981.

“Usikker Modernitet” examines everything from the Danes’ national pride, concern for immigration, political participation, political values, attitudes to surveillance and environmental protection, voluntary work, religion, citizenship, gender equality, upbringing and experience of unhappiness, and analyzes developments and setbacks in a sociological perspective.

Denmark is often referred to as a society characterized by happiness, trust and tolerance, where neither religion nor social class really divides the population and where equality, environmental awareness and non-authoritarian education are values ​​that bring together most.

However, that image cannot be taken for granted, as many of these values ​​are relatively new, and some of them even exist only in a smaller part of the population. In 2017, many Danes were less happy and less confident than they were just a decade earlier.

“The Danes have lost confidence in other people, trust in the political system and they have become less happy” – M. Frederiksen

(This text is a translated and adapted version of the original description provided by the editor)