Question

1. The chapter gives the perspective of a culture that values independence, initiative, and individuality. What might be the perspective of a culture that instead puts a priority on interdependence, obedience, and putting the group before one’s own needs, urges, wishes, and desires.

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) Independent cultures tend to have nuclear families, singular ideology and other such ego-centric traditions. It is not necessary for one to be too acquainted with their neighbours, with their fourth cousins or their colleagues’ families.

On the other hand, an interdependent culture would exhibit signs of community living. In such societies there would be joint-families living under a single roof, neighbours interacting at social events, groups, classes and social strata would be evident. This would primarily be because groups are likely to congregate more often. These variables are noticed in eastern cultures where one’s personal life might even be up for group discussions or counsel at times.

Furthermore, if this ideology is applied to markets and the government, it is likely that there would be more oligopoly style markets, government ownership and communist ideologies. These societies would have to offer allegiance and obedience to the bourgeoisie. The proletariats are also likely to forms communities in the form of unions and government workers.

This would mean that an ideology is reflected in the family, the community, the stratum, the markets and finally even in the style of the government.