This essay discusses how traditions impact personality development by looking at the example of traditional Chinese and Japanese identity formation. It argues that while both cultures place emphasis on group membership and conformity, traditional Chinese culture is more likely to lead to individualistic personality traits, while traditional Japanese culture is more likely to lead to collectivistic personality traits.
This essay explores the concept of cultural compromise and how it has shaped Japanese culture. It discusses the origins of the philosophy and its impact on various aspects of Japanese life.
Jan Yoors’ book The Gypsies provides a fascinating account of his time living among this marginalized group of people. Yoors paints a picture of a close-knit community that is in harmony with nature and has its own rich culture and traditions. While the Gypsies are often misunderstood by outsiders, Yoors argues that they are not dirty or lazy; they simply have different standards of hygiene than mainstream society.
The Caribbean is a region with a rich and diverse culture, influenced by the slave trade, colonialism and neocolonialism. The people of the Caribbean have preserved their distinct culture and traditions, and the region is a popular tourist destination for its stunning beaches, tropical climate and unique culture.
In his book, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?”, Thomas Frank argues that the native citizens of his home state have failed to elect leaders who can bring about quality governance. He attributes this failure to three main factors: lack of understanding of how the state government works, voting against their own interests, and following the false promises of conservative politicians. While Frank’s analysis is specific to Kansas, it is also relevant to other states in the US where similar dynamics are at play.
This essay discusses the psychological peculiarities of the Chinese nation. The Chinese are past-oriented, collectivist, traditionalist, religious, and conformist. These peculiarities are evident in the social organization of the Chinese nation.
This essay explores the geopolitics of natural resources in Asia, with a focus on the role of the US in the region and the conflict in Indonesia. It discusses how the uneven distribution of natural resources can lead to tension and conflict, and how this has played out in Asia. The essay also looks at the consequences of the conflict in Indonesia, both for Indonesia and for the wider world.
The commoditization of culture is a complex and contested phenomenon with economic, political, and sociological implications. While commoditization can lead to the “emergent authenticity” of a cultural product or practice, it can also lead to the loss of meaning and value of the cultural product or practice being commoditized.
This essay explores the relationship between empire and science fiction. It discusses how science fiction can be used to explore the idea of empire, as well as the impact of empire on individuals and societies.
This paper looks at the role of culture in conflicts, the way conflicts can become traps, and the role of identity in conflict resolution. It argues that culture can both contribute to and help resolve conflict. Similarly, conflict can become a trap when parties become trapped in their own narratives. However, conflict can be resolved through education.