...identifies eight major civilizations: the Western (Europe and North America), Slavic (Russia and Eastern Europe), Islamic, Confucian, Hindu, Japanese, Latin American, and the African. Of particular focus in the present paper is the threat to civilization from radical Islam. Three factors that foment radicalism are described: the Islamic theology of exclusiveness, the nostalgic memory of a Muslim empire that lasted nearly 1,000 years, and the consequences of oil boom in the Middle East. Population estimates for different civilizations are provided at the end. Introduction The theory of a clash of civilizations has been with us for some time. British historian Arnold Toynbee used the term in a series of lectures he delivered in 1953. The Middle East specialist Bernard Lewis wrote in 1990 that the Muslim rage against the West is “no less than a clash of civilizations” (Lewis, 1990, p 60). Samuel P. Huntington, a Harvard University political science professor, has given new currency to the notion of a clash of civilizations. His 1993 article in Foreign Affairs has gained global audience. A few years ago, I lectured to a political science class at Pondicherry University in Southern India. I was pleasantly surprised by the extent of the knowledge that Indian students possessed on this topic. A majority of the Indian students agreed with Huntington(s conclusion. The bipolar division of the world based on political ideology (communism versus...
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...Globalization and the Future Tom Lombardo, Ph.D. Introduction Globalization is perhaps the most significant and pervasive contemporary trend. Humanity is moving from a set of relatively autonomous nation states to an integrated global reality, more ruled by international corporations and organizations, and economic and ecological interdependencies, than national and political ideologies and issues. Fueled by global communication, technological networking, expanding transportation systems, economic exchange and competition, and the growth and spread of a global culture, globalization is seen both as a positive and as a negative trend. What are the main features of globalization, what are the future possibilities, and how will globalization have an effect upon your individual life? Outline “Nothing will be done anymore without the whole world meddling in it.” Paul Valéry The History of Globalization Positive Images of Globalization Imbalance, Diversity, and Conflict: The Problems of Globalization Global Tensions, Challenges, and Evolution for the Future Howard Bloom – The Deep History of Globalization – Reciprocity and Conquest Global Communication and Networking of Life Global Expansion of Humanity Emergence of Cities and Trade Routes Reciprocity and Conquest Robert Wright The Evolution of Win-Win Reciprocities in Human History The Expansion of Economic Interdependencies and Exchange The Expansion of Communication Networks Cumulative...
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...above quotation from the advertisement indicates, there is no question that Buddhism has a certain appeal to the West. Donald S. Lopez, Jr. author of Prisoners of Shangri-la: Tibetan Buddhism and The West provides a cultural history of the “strange encounter” between Buddhism (especially Tibetan Buddhism) and Western countries, most notably Britain, Australia and the United States. It is no longer questionable that Buddhism, and again, especially the Tibetan stream, has permeated popular culture: since China’s invasion and occupation of Tibet in 1950, which will be discussed further, but most significantly since the 1990s. This is most likely accredited to the Dalai Lama’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, which brought him and Buddhism much exposure. In fact, every stream of Buddhism announces growing public acceptance in the West since the Dalai Lama first visited two decades ago. The Complete Guide to Buddhist America, written in 1998 for which the Dalai Lama wrote the preface, reports that the number of worship centers in the United States more than doubled from 1987 to 1997 to over one thousand. Several examples illustrate the recent exposure of Buddhism in Western popular and political culture. Firstly, one of the most popular films of the early 1980s, The Return of the Jedi of the Star Wars series featured the Ewoks who spoke high-speed Tibetan. More recently, in 1996, at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies in Atlanta, Georgia, the percussionist of the Grateful Dead...
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...Abstract In eastern societies, it is believed that arranged marriage leads to the reinforcement of family values. Couples depend on their family, because they are the ones that lead them in their lives and it also allows all family members interfere in their responsibilities. The divorce rate of arranged marriages is very low compared to love marriages. Spouses have lots of similarities and interests , both emphasizing on the practical reasons from which love and affection would be flourished allowing them to build a greater family. Couples from the same background in arranged marriages merge together and revive their cultural and traditional values , allowing their kids a more appropriate life. The key factors in a right marriage and to building a great family is adaptation, negotiation, and compromise. Unfortunately, arranged marriages are perceived by the media as an uncivilized tradition. Arranged marriages are not forced marriages. Outline i. Introduction A. As the church bell rang I looked through the big arched window and saw all the birds scared flying high. B. In the east, I hear women say “marriage is faith”. C. Arranged marriages lead to the reinforcement of family values, reduce the rate of divorce, and strengthen the bonding between the couple. ii. Lead to the reinforcement of family values A. Couples are dependent on their family 1. Parents arrange marriage 2. Society values marriage B. Family members have responsibilities...
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...Clash Of civilisation The Clash of Civilizations (COC) is a hypothesis that people's cultural and religious identities will be the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War world. It was proposed by political scientist Samuel P. Huntington in a 1992 lecture at the American Enterprise Institute, which was then developed in a 1993 Foreign Affairs article titled "The Clash of Civilizations? in response to his former student Francis Fukuyama's 1992 book, The End of History and the Last Man. Huntington later expanded his thesis in a 1996 book. Huntington began his thinking by surveying the diverse theories about the nature of global politics in the post-Cold War period. Some theorists and writers argued that human rights, liberal democracy, and capitalist free market economy had become the only remaining ideological alternative for nations in the post-Cold War world. Specifically, Francis Fukuyama argued that the world had reached the 'end of history' in a Hegelian sense. Huntington believed that while the age of ideology had ended, the world had only reverted to a normal state of affairs characterized by cultural conflict. In his thesis, he argued that the primary axis of conflict in the future will be along cultural and religious lines. As an extension, he posits that the concept of different civilizations, as the highest rank of cultural identity, will become increasingly useful in analyzing the potential for conflict. In the 1993 Foreign Affairs article, Huntington writes: ...
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...distinct ideologies. It is helpful to first understand Huntington’s characterization of “civilization” as a cultural entity. He says that “It is defined both by common objective elements, such as language, history, religion, customs, institutions, and by the subjective self-identification of people (1993)”. Today, Western, non-Muslim societies have had a noticeable impact on Muslim societies. Although Huntington claims that “western ideas of free markets often have little resonance in Islamic (culture) (1993)”, Mottahedeh challenges this idea by offering examples of at least six Islamic Middle Eastern countries with existing free market economies. Additionally, he provides insight regarding the traditionally anti-Islamist idea of the right of women to vote. Although Muslim conservatives who are proponents for the reintroduction of Islamic Law may not fully support enfranchisement of women, this element of Western colonialism has become too much of the “norm”. Therefore, there are currently several similarities between both Muslim and non-Muslim societies, but cultural differences continue to impede their relationship due to long-standing historical conflicts. Beginning with the formation of Islamic religion with the prophet Mohammed centuries ago, there was an “us” versus “them” mentality regarding Muslims and other cultural entities such as the pagans, animists and...
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...Internationales Management: Intercultural Communication 1 Outline Activity 1.a. …...……………………………. p.3 Activity 1 b. and 1c. ……..……………………p.8 Activity 1 d. …………………………………p.10 Activity 1e.…………………………………. p.11 Reference……………………………………. p.12 2 Activity 1.a. • Establish 3 new folders on your PC: • Definitions of Culture • Culture Models • Articles on Cultural Difference • Create a new folder in your “favorites” called Culture. • Next, search your literature and the Internet (for instance, write in Google “definition of culture”) and collect and file at least 10 different definitions. • Discuss the contents with your tutor and select the one you like best. Definition of Culture There are lots of definitions of culture in scholar or public, in the book it defined:”Culture is the holistic interrelationship of a group’s identity , beliefs , values , activities , rules , customs , communication patterns , and institutions.”(Dodd, 1997, p.36)Furthermore , culture teaches significant rules , rituals , and procedure. Culture reinforces values. Culture teaches relationship with others.1 Culture Models This model demonstrates elements of culture composing a system.The inner core lies at the most significant level.The second and third set of elements are tied to the core , but remain an area for some degree of flexibility and change.(Dodd, 1997, p.38)2 Economic and Work Educational Technology and Material Religious Systems Kinship Systems Cultural Rules...
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...likely to be in the coming years. It is my hypothesis that the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic. The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural. Nation states will remain the most powerful actors in world affairs, but the principal conflicts of global politics will occur between nations and groups of different civilizations. The clash of civilizations will be the battle lines of the future. Conflict between civilizations will be the latest phase of the evolution of conflict in the modern world. For a century and a half after the emergence of the modern international system of the Peace of Westphalia, the conflicts of the Western world were largely among princes -- emperors, absolute monarchs and constitutional monarchs attempting to expand their bureaucracies, their armies, their mercantilist economic strength and, most important, the territory they ruled. In the process they created nation states, and beginning with the French...
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...paternalistic. Subordinates acknowledge the power of others simply based on where they are situated in certain formal, hierarchical positions. As such the Power Distance Index Hofstede defines does not reflect an objective difference in power distribution but rather the way people perceive power differences. In Europe, Power Distance tends to be lower in Northern countries and higher in Southern and Eastern parts. There seems to be an admittedly disputable correlation with predominant religions. • Individualism vs. collectivism - individualism is contrasted with collectivism, and refers to the extent to which people are expected to stand up for themselves and to choose their own affiliations, or alternatively act predominantly as a member of a life-long group or organization. Latin American cultures rank among the most collectivist in this category, while Western countries such as the U.S.A., Great Britain and Australia are the most individualistic cultures. • Masculinity vs. femininity - refers to the value placed on traditionally male or female values (as understood in most Western cultures). So...
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...paternalistic. Subordinates acknowledge the power of others simply based on where they are situated in certain formal, hierarchical positions. As such the Power Distance Index Hofstede defines does not reflect an objective difference in power distribution but rather the way people perceive power differences. In Europe, Power Distance tends to be lower in Northern countries and higher in Southern and Eastern parts. There seems to be an admittedly disputable correlation with predominant religions. • Individualism vs. collectivism - individualism is contrasted with collectivism, and refers to the extent to which people are expected to stand up for themselves and to choose their own affiliations, or alternatively act predominantly as a member of a life-long group or organization. Latin American cultures rank among the most collectivist in this category, while Western countries such as the U.S.A., Great Britain and Australia are the most individualistic cultures. • Masculinity vs. femininity - refers to the value placed on traditionally male or female values (as understood in most Western cultures). So...
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...Questioning vs. Acceptance, Truth vs. Balance: A Comparison of East and West Canyon Law Western cultures have historically differed greatly from their far Eastern counterparts in several ways, be it in lifestyle, government, or worldview. These noticeable differences can be attributed to the West’s and East’s own unique philosophical backgrounds. While Western philosophers such as Locke, John Stuart Mill, and Socrates put large emphasis on the ideals of questioning authority in the search for truth, Eastern dogma—as reflected by Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism—assert very different, conflicting values focused on acceptance and obedience of superiors. Because of this disparity of thought process, East and West subscribe to very different schools of thought with regards to individualism, rationalism, and democracy. Jon Stuart Mill, in his book On Liberty, promotes the importance of constant debate of ideas. He argues that all opinions must be heard, whether they are from the majority or a minority of beliefs. He states that, “Judgment is given to men that they may use it… To prohibit what they think pernicious is not claiming from error, but fulfilling the duty incumbent on them, although fallible, of acting on their conscientious conviction. If we were never to act on our opinions, because those opinions may be wrong, we should leave all our interests uncared for, and all our duties underperformed.” (p. 18). In this passage, Mill argues that “judgment,” in this case the...
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...World Religion and Healthcare Jane Smith Grand Canyon University Spirituality in Health Care HLT-310V No Name May 23, 2014 Abstract The goal of this paper is to educate healthcare providers on a few of the basic needs of patient’s practicing Hinduism, Shintoism, and Native American cultures. A theme develops as one expands their worldview and becomes competent at creating an open dialogue with patients. Learning to have respectful conversations regarding spiritual needs will prove fulfilling for the provider and patient. Once one understands needs and barriers to care we are able to provide a spiritual and holistic experience. Exploring spiritual needs such as prayer and meditation and giving patients the opportunity to practice those in a healthcare environment is respected. Exercising additional patience and being willing to think outside the box will be the difference between competent care and compassionate care. World Religion and Healthcare Throughout a career an American nurse will come across a diverse patient population. The Christian nurse will have opportunity to educate and be educated on many cultures and religions that exist in our country. Becoming culturally competent is not only encouraged but a necessity. A lack of understanding of one’s own and one’s clients’ world views results in frustration and anxiety for both the helper and the client (Richards & Bergin, 1997, p. 50). This paper will provide a comparison...
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...Book Review Summary of Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament by John H. Walton Chapter 1 Chapter 1 is Walton’s introduction to the discussion concerning the congruence of the Old Testament with the world surrounding it. This chapter discusses the history, methodology, and reasoning behind comparative Old Testament studies. It then concludes with the principles and goals each student should possess as he or she studies the Old Testament. His synopsis of comparative Old Testament studies begins with the resurgence of Egyptian and Mesopotamian archaeological studies during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.[1] He then moves on to discuss the impact of Friedrich Delitzsch’s lectures concerning how the writers of the Old Testament borrowed from extrabiblical sources set the stage for many secular ideologies removing the special revelation aspect from the Bible. This allowed two things to take place. First, it brought out the comparative study of the Bible into a critical realm; and second, it made Assyriology, Egyptology, and Hittitology serious academic disciplines which have greatly enhanced modern man’s understanding of these ancient cultures. While Walton discusses several forms of Old Testament study, his opinion favors comparative studies. He starts with explaining the reasoning for sound methodological comparative study and moves on to answer the “why” it should be performed over other studies. In his view, it expands...
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...Insiders/Outsiders The religions of division; some see those who belong to a specific religion as having somewhat of an us versus them mentality thus creating an insiders and outsiders situation as the byproduct of such an atmosphere; this is often the result of any community of people who chose to categorize the population into those who belong to the group from those who don’t. In every religion, that has a law attached to it, there are certain rules and regulations you are expected to follow if you are to fit in. Most religions are more strict then others, the word religion comes from the Latin word, “religare”, which means ‘to bind tightly’, so religion could most definitely defined as something that either can bind tightly around you or you can bind tightly around it. Do they control their religion or does their religion control them. There is an element of separatism that is present in religions. In the religion of Judaism, the Pharisees were known as “the separated ones”, to be separated from the rest of the world, considered special. In the Christian religion, the character of Jesus took issue with these separated ones, who claimed to be speakers on behalf of God, he took issue with them because of their holier then though attitudes. We divide ourselves into groups as soon as we slap labels on each other, I am this and you are that. Although there are always acceptations to the rule, I believe for an organized religion to function, servants are needed to serve the...
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...gender; age; language; education; physical condition; sexual orientation; religion; profession; place of work and its corporate culture. Culture is the "lens" through which you view the world. It is central to what you see, how you make sense of what you see, and how you express yourself. Four Cultural Dimensions Cultures – both national and organizational – differ along many dimensions. Four of the most important are: Directness (get to the point versus imply the messages) Hierarchy (follow orders versus engage in debate) Consensus (dissent is accepted versus unanimity is needed) Individualism (individual winners versus team effectiveness)7 Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges Culture is often at the root of communication challenges. Exploring historical experiences and the ways in which various cultural groups have related to each other is key to opening channels for cross-cultural communication. Becoming more aware of cultural differences, as well as exploring cultural similarities, can help you communicate with others more effectively. Next time you find yourself in a confusing situation, ask yourself how culture may be shaping your own reactions, and try to see the world from the other's point of view. Would you like to get a deeper insight? Cultural Intelligence & Modern Management Discover synergies & Harness the power of diversity! ► Eastern vs....
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