Theories of macro cultural differences Week 16 Comparative Sociology

Last week Different forms of capitalism Anglo-American Germanic Briefly considered how these could be linked to culture This week consider macro cultural differences, rather than micro work of cultural studies

Outline What is culture? Hofstede’s studies Inglehart’s theory of values Cultural change?

Cultural Differences? Awkward conversations may be one sign of cultural differences in small talk

What is culture? Symbolic and learned aspects of human societies (‘mental programming’) Language Custom Convention Set of belief systems- often taken-for-granted Not fixed, it changes over time

Layer’s of culture National level Regional/ethnic/religious/linguistic level Gender Generational Social Class Organizational/corporate level

Internalisation of the ‘rules’ How to interact with people? Why in Europe does opera have a higher status than soaps? Is it acceptable to belch at the dinner table?

Cultural expectations in the classroom Discuss with the people sitting next to you cultural norms during lectures.

Hofstede’s studies Studies of organisational culture National cultural differences between Power distance Collectivism vs individualism Femininity vs masculinity Uncertainty avoidance

Power distance The extent to which inequality is accepted by those at the bottom Large power differences Children expected to respect/obey elders Hierarchical Workplaces- lots of supervisory levels Subordinates should be told what to do Powerful have rightful privileges High countries: Malaysia, Mexico, Arab states Low countries : Austria, Israel, Denmark, Costa Rica, UK

Collectivism vs individualism from birth people integrated into strong cohesive groups Guatemala, Pakistan, Costa Rica Individualism Ties between people are loose, individuals look after themselves and immediate family USA, UK, New Zealand

Key elements Collectivist Individualist Extended family Identity based in social Harmony to be maintained Shame (on group) Individualist Care of self/immediate family Identity based in individual Honest people speak their minds Guilt (individual)

Masculinity/Femininity Masculine societies Dominant values are material success and progress Men/Women distinct roles and emotions Stress on competition between peers Winning through conflict Masculine countries: Japan, Italy, UK, USA Feminine countries: Sweden, Costa Rica Thailand

Uncertainty avoidance Weak Uncertainty is normal Aggression/emotions should be hidden Comfortable with ambiguous situations and unfamiliar risks Lenient rules for children on taboos Motivation by achievement UK, Singapore, Jamaica Strong Uncertainty is a threat Aggression/emotions can be vented Fear of ambiguous situations and unfamiliar risks Tight rules for children on taboos Motivation by security Greece, Uruguay, Japan

The UK According to Hofstede: Discuss with your Low power distance Individualism Masculine country Weak uncertainty avoidance Discuss with your neighbours if you think this is right

Inglehart’s theory of values Culture legitimates social order Culture integrates societies Values change as societies change Modernization Postmodernization Predicable shift in culture

Inglehart Insecurity Security Politics Need for strong leaders Order Xenophobia Economics Economic growth Achievement/motivation Sexuality/Family norm 2 parent heterosexual family Politics De-emphasis on political authority Self-expression Exotic/new are stimulating Economics Quality of life Subjective well-being Sexuality/Family norm Individual sexual gratification

Move to postmodern values Countries vary as to where they sit between these two positions But Rich and secure countries more likely to have postmodern values Within societies wealthy/elites more likely to have postmodern values Fluctuations can be caused by war/ economic downturn/ civil disorder etc Socialisation means that values are likely to be generational (younger more postmodern)

Critiques of Inglehart Over-simplification of complex issues Unlikely to be a direct relationship between economic development (modern to postmodern) and cultural shifts Values are related to the context within which they become relevant ‘Equality’ was upheld in Ancient Greece but did not include many (women, slaves etc)

Inglehart’s theory Discuss with the people sitting next to you how far you think changes in values are predicable in the way that Inglehart has argued

Summary There is agreement that national cultures are different But what those differences are and how they relate to other factors in each society is debated Hofstede - 4 major divides Inglehart – Values changing over time

Next week Continue our look at cultures by looking at these concepts in particular: Cultural imperialism New world order Clash of cultures