Chapter 4 Preserving Cultural Diversity

1. Chapter 4Preserving Cultural Diversity (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

2. Culture • Culture – the way we think and behave as a group. • The values and attitudes of the people • Learned from the environment in which we grow up, live, and work • Values – belief structures held by individuals about what is right and wrong, good and bad, beautiful and ugly. • Shared values form their culture • Different societies interpret a value in different ways. • Cultures change slowly. • Change requires adaptation which causes anxiety • Turkey – an example of sudden change (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

3. Culture’s Scaffolding • The structure of society: • Distribution by age, gender, ethnicity, education, race, etc. • A civilization: • Grouping of nations based on a set of values • Religion and language intertwine with culture. • Religion shapes the values of the people • Language captures those values and gives expression to them (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

4. Religion • A religion is a set of beliefs in the divine and the supernatural. • It comes with moral codes, values, and rituals • Can affect work values • A believer’s values and practices are often influenced by religion. • Christianity (2.1 billion) • Islam (1.3 billion) • Hinduism (900 million) • Buddhism (376 million) (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

5. Religion • Proselytism spreads the religion across communities. • Religious beliefs can conflict with belief systems from other sources • Religions may evolve and change over time. • Stressing some values at one time and ignoring others • Influence of religion in shaping values and behavior can be overstated. (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

6. Languages • Mother tongue shapes the way we think and express. • Many people feel emotionally committed to their language. • Bangladesh – language and cultural concerns drove fight for independence • English – spread and dominance. • Seen as a competitive advantage in business and the sciences. • Challenges faced by nations with multiple languages. • Desire to protect languages (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

7. Culture Industry • Industries seen as projecting the culture of the society. • Entertainment, journalism, and fashion • United States a dominant player in popular culture. • Sophisticated methods of marketing and communication • Role of UNESCO • Culture seen as threatened and requiring protection. • Purity versus diversity (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

8. Measuring Culture • Geert Hofstede: Culture is the “collective programming of the mind”. • Five dimensions: • Power distance • Collectivism versus individualism • Femininity versus masculinity • Uncertainty avoidance • Confucian dynamism (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

9. Measuring Culture • Levels of economic development influenced by nation’s culture. • Four factors: • The degree of identification with others in a society, extent of trust, and sense of community • The rigor of the ethical system (derived from religion) • How authority is exercised within society • Attitudes toward work, innovation, saving, and profit (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

10. Localized Unique Values • China: Guanxi (“Relationships”) – Personal network of influence. • Brazil: Jeito – Live and let live attitude. • Countries culturally similar may find it easier to collaborate. • EU and Gulf Cooperation Council • Cultures do not fit neatly into national boundaries. • Diverse cultures can blend to form a new whole (c) C. Gopinath, 2018

11. Multicultural Societies • Tribes: Jews, English, Japanese, Chinese, Indians • Have a strong sense of common origin and shared values • Cultural clashes • JyllandsPostencartoons • Social Media • Influencing values, communication patterns, and sharing Debate: Is the US a melting pot or a salad bowl? (c) C. Gopinath, 2018