pligterne

Pligterne, in Danish usage, denotes the duties or obligations that individuals, organizations, and government bear toward one another and toward society. The term covers both legally codified duties and broader moral or social expectations. In legal terms, pligter can be obligations defined by statutes or administrative rules, with consequences for non-compliance. In the social realm, pligter refer to duties that arise from social norms, such as taking care of one’s family, acting with due consideration for others, or contributing to the welfare system through work and taxation.

The concept is central to discussions of the duty–rights balance in Danish public life. It is often paired with the related idea of rights, highlighting that enjoying entitlements is typically linked to fulfilling certain duties as a member of a community. The welfare state model in Denmark has contributed to an explicit articulation of social obligations—for example expectations about participation in work, education, or civic engagement—while maintaining formal freedoms and social protections.

Practically, obligations may be legally enforceable, with sanctions for breach, or informally reinforced through social expectations. Critics argue that an emphasis on pligter can overstate duties at the expense of individual autonomy or create social pressure, whereas supporters see them as essential to social cohesion and fair sharing of resources.

See also: civil duty, civic responsibility, professional ethics.