Culture and Conflict – Cultural Messages

Definition:

Cultural messages, simply, are what everyone in a group knows that outsiders do not know. They are a series of lenses that shape our perceptions, interpretations, boundaries, and values.

Users:

Anyone involved in a cross-cultural conflict. This includes not only people from different countries, but also people from different gender, age, ethnic, religious, regional, even different professional groups. (One might speak of the engineering culture or the business culture, for example.)

Description:

Culture is an essential part of conflict and conflict resolution. Culture is a powerful and often unconscious influence on our perceptions and our behavior.

How Cultures Work

Cultures are a shifting, dynamic set of starting points that orient us in particular ways. Everyone has multiple cultures that dictate what is considered "normal." When others do not meet our expectations, it is often a cue that their culture is different. We may mistake differences for evidence of bad faith or lack of common sense, without realizing that "common sense" is cultural. What is common sense to one group may be counterintuitive (or even stupid or evil) to another.

Some implications of the cultural dimensions of conflict include the following:

1. Cultural generalizations (beliefs, for instance, that Americans are loud or that Italians are good lovers) are not the whole story. Even if they are sometimes true, the cultural norms of a given group does not predict the behavior of an individual, who may not conform. There is no substitute for building relationships and getting to know people as individuals.
2. Culture is constantly in flux and cultural groups adapt in unpredictable ways. Therefore, no comprehensive description can be formulated about a particular group.
3. Culture is under the surface -- it is not easy to access these symbolic levels, since they are largely outside our awareness. Therefore, it is important to use many ways of learning about culture, especially indirect ways, i.e. stories, metaphors, and rituals.
4. Culture becomes important depending on context. When a cultural identity is threatened, it's importance increases.

Culture and Conflict: Connections

For any conflict that touches us where we're vulnerable, where we make meaning or influence our identities, there is always a cultural component. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for example, is not just about land - it's also about identity. Conflicts between teenagers and parents are shaped by generational culture and conflicts between spouses are influenced by gender culture. Cultures shared by dominant groups often seem to be "normal" -- "the way things are done" to the dominant group, but are less obvious to other minority groups. We only notice the effect of cultures that are different from our own.

Answer all parts of the question for full credit on first post.

Questions:

A)  What conflicts have you had in your life that can be placed in the definitions above? Were they resolved? How? If not, why do you think there was no resolution?

Consider an individual with utility of the form: U(x,y) = x^ay^b where (a+b)=1. The price of good x is p_x and the price of good y is ­p_y. The individual faces a budget constraint of I (or income).

A. Find the demand functions for the individual in question.

B. Suppose the price of each good increases by a factor of T (therefore the price of good x is (1+T)p_x and the price of good y is (1+T)p_y). Prove that the increase in price does not change relative amount of each good the individual purchases, however, the individual purchases less of each good. How much additional income would the individual need to obtain the same utility as in part A)?

C. Suppose a policymaker is worried about consumption of good x (suppose production of good x pollutes and creates a negative externality on the environment, for example) and decides to subsidize the production of good y, thereby decreasing its price. The hope of said policymaker is that people will substitute away from the consumption of good x towards good y because it now costs less. If all individuals in the society in question have utility that is representative of parts A) and B), will this policy work? Why or why not?

what are the differences between unearned privileges and earned privileges?

1. In addition to the interest earned on a bond, it is also possible that the actual bond will increase in value over time.

Select one:

True

False

2. During their lifetime, bonds can be sold for more or less than their face value depending on the demand for these particular bonds.

Select one:

True

False

3. Because dividends are fixed, the prices of preferred stock are not as volatile as those of common stock.

Select one:

True

false

4. Beta is the measure of a stock's sensitivity to its trading volume.

Select one:

True

false

5. Corporate bonds are usually sold in increments of $100.

Select one:

True

false

explain why the price of a bond and in the interest earned on the holding of a bond must move opposite direction.

Schedule C

Dave Sanders does computer consulting work on the side. He received a 1099 from his largest client showing that he made $25,300 from his work for that company. He also earned an additional $3750 from other clients. Dave incurred the following expenses:

Office supplies                 $226

Insurance                         $535

Advertising                       $545

Telephone                        $767

He also drove 1585 business miles in 2020 and would like to use the standard mileage rate rather than actual expenses.

Complete the Schedule C for Dave. He uses his social security number 123-45-6789 and does not have an employer identification number. The name of the business is Dave’s Computer Consulting and he does the work from his home at 221 Main St, Heron, IL 61820. He uses the cash method of accounting. This business was started in 2012. He does not need to file 1099 forms.

Which of the following represents the correct way to handle a tax return for a worker contracted by the U.S. Armed Forces with income from working in a combat zone? Since the contractor worked in a combat zone, they qualify for the military combat zone exclusion. The contractor does not qualify for the military combat exclusion, but does qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion. The contractor does not qualify for the military combat exclusion or the foreign earned income exclusion, so this income will be taxable. The contractor can deduct their combat zone earnings as a charitable deduction.