The Law of Jante (Danish: Janteloven [ˈjæntəˌlɔwˀən, -lɒwˀ-]) is a code of conduct created in fiction by the Danish-Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose and has been assumed by some to explain the egalitarian nature of Nordic countries. It is used generally in colloquial speech in the Nordic countries as a sociological term to denote a social attitude of disapproval towards expressions of individuality and personal success.