Viggen Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Cultures fall on a spectrum between egalitarian and hierarchical leadership styles. INSEAD professor Erin Meyer explains below why Northern Europe tends to be more egalitarian than Southern Europe. via Business Insider apparently something to do with Romans, Vikings and God... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldrail Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 Well... I agree there's bound to be some viking influence and religious commonality (which we know about - the Saxons in dark age England began with similar beliefs), but the question of region al identity interferes with the theory. However, I do think the answer is closely related to the article, in that cultural roots of North Europe have common roots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auris Arrectibus Posted March 1, 2015 Report Share Posted March 1, 2015 (edited) For example, compare social-cultural behaviour at the highways: When you drive by car from Holland to Italy.From Northern Europe to South, status of a car gets more important. - First, all drivers behave like they all have the same rights to drive in the left lane, although not speeding up or having the right lanes empty no matter the size of a car. - Going south, drivers with bigger cars get more irritated about this phenomenon and little cars choose the most right lane, driving less fast and dwelling in their step on the ladder of hierarchy. - When you cross the Alpes, the biggest cars rule the left lane giving signals with car headlights to the others to move from their lane. - Passing the Apennine Mountains, don't be supprised to be pushed from the left lane using horns to remind the less fortunate of their lower status at the highway. In the Netherlands the egalitarian system of administration is ascribed to the struggle against the water. The oldest form of democratic goverment -still exist today- is that of the "Waterschappen" (water management): Common interest to keep dykes in good condition and keep the water out. Everyone has to contribute and maintain their part of the dyke, no matter what status. If just one doesn't, everyone suffers the consequenses. We call it the "polder model": a lot of talking, listen to each others opinions and compromise so anyone could benefit. Don't know if Vikings ever did interfere.I do understand why the protestant religion got popular in such a community as the Netherlands. Auris Arrectibus Edited March 1, 2015 by Auris Arrectibus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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