Question

CULTURES IN HIERARCHY AND CULTURES ALONGSIDE Asante (2003b) claims that difference alone does not create a problem, and that it is the assigning of hierarchical value to difference that creates a problem. His idea of “multiculturalism without hierarchy” thus pinpoints how cultures should relate to one another in the context of diversity. He implies that, if multiculturalism is defined as the co-existence of many cultures, there are two ways of cultural co-existence: (1) cultures in hierarchy and (2) cultures along- side. Cultures in hierarchy is the form of cultural co- existence in which we see one culture above others so that we learn a frame of reference from one culture and view others through the single cultural standpoint. Cultures alongside is the form of cultural co-existence in which we see all cultures equal so that we learn different outlooks from different cultures and view all cultures through their respective cultural lenses. Asante (1993) refers to the second form of cultural co-existence as pluralism without hierarchy and hegemony. He believes that, when we bring together local knowledges from all cultures, we will have a truly global knowledge about people in the world and move toward a truly transcultural understanding of humanity, diversity, and communication. In this section, using Satoshi Ishii’s (1997) conceptualization of culture, I will envision the ideal of culture learning that enhances “multiculturalism without hierarchy.” My premise here is that, in order to appreciate any culture, we must understand the worldview of the culture and its impact on the forms and functions of communication.

What is meant by “cultures in hierarchy”? Is this considered a negative or positive perspective? Why? Is there a better way of viewing cultures?

Answer 1

Cultures in hierarchy is the idea that we view other cultures through the lens of one particular culture that is assumed to be the frame of reference. The main issue with this is that cultures are predominantly different and so viewing one from the point of view of another is often impossible and at best erroneous. It is a lot like looking at the sea from land. For someone on the beach the sea looks to be at eye level and spreads out ahead and to the right and left, whereas for someone on a hill on the same land the sea looks to be below eye-level and can appear to extend only in one direction, people further inland might see only a sliver of the sea like a thin blue line. All of these do not change the fact of the existence and size of the sea, just the perception of it. Similarly, viewing the same culture from different cultural viewpoints can make it appear different in different minds.

Most viewpoints are always coloured by the cultural surroundings that they belong to, this is irrefutable and is something that must be taken into account when trying to interpret a different culture. Understandably most cultures always assume theirs is/should be the one to measure others against, however what appears normal in some cultures could be particularly abhorrent in another. This is true even in neighbouring regions, there are some sections of South Africa where cousin-cousin marriages are popular and encouraged. In other parts, marrying a cousin is considered an utterly impossible notion. Neither of these ideas are based on medical or political reasons, it just is a part of the culture for varying reasons. To view one from the other would always lead to misinterpretation of the underlying factors that shaped the culture. Viewing cultures in hierarchy is therefore not a positive perspective. It can cause undue bias and prejudice towards other cultures that are different from one's own and lead to viewing everyone that is different as inferior.  

A better way of viewing the diverse types of cultures around us is to try and learn as much as possible about different cultures to enable us to understand them more. Building knowledge about others can help us uncover the similarities and the differences between cultures. This will enable us to appreciate other cultures and develop a better and deeper worldview. Learning can lead to understanding which in turn can lead to accepting. Unlike the cultures in hierarchy notion, viewing other cultures as contemporaries can help build a transcultural outlook that can positively influence communication, collaboration and co-habitation etc. This will help the world develop into the ideal of multiculturalism without hierarchy.