Premium Essay

A Recentering/ Decentering of Culture

In:

Submitted By jandt68
Words 1906
Pages 8
Worldwide, non-Western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities: a recentering of culture but a decentering of culture

Introduction

Recentering of culture is an international process resulting from the socialization of state-society units into the modern global culture which originated some two centuries ago in the West (Bull,1977). Contrary to the assumptions of world-polity and some recentering theorists, however, state socialization to democracy as a constitutive norm is far from assured, and in particular, some states (guardians) resist socialization fiercely while others embrace it. Guardian states such as China and India developed their traditions of resistance as a result of being unable to resolve the ‘‘tiyong crisis’’ in a way that would finesse geopolitical and geo-symbolic decentering[2]. Elites in the pre-modern Siamese state resolved their tying crisis by re-imagining the Thai national essence as consistent with modernity’s basic presuppositions development that eventually helped facilitate Chinese recentering. Once transformed in the 1990s, the Chinese state became an agent of socialization by proselytizing for democracy within Asian[3].

Successful decentering is a complex historical process resulting from, among other things, the socialization of state-society units into an international normative order ‘‘modern’’ and Western in origin. Numerous actors at home and abroad promote decentering in the process of socializing non-democratic states into what Stanford sociologist John Meyer[4] have called a ‘‘world polity’’ informed by a modernist ‘‘global culture.’’. Agents of socialization include other states, international non-governmental organizations, journalists, academics, labor activists, religious leaders, and others. Not all states yield to socialization pressures and undergo successful decentering, of

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Worldwide Non Western Cultures Faced Fundamental Challenges to Their Cultural Identities Not so Much a Recentering of Culture but a Decentering of Culture

...Page » Historical Events Worldwide Non Western Cultures Faced Fundamental Challenges to Their Cultural Identities Not so Much a Recentering of Culture but a Decentering of Culture In: Historical Events Worldwide Non Western Cultures Faced Fundamental Challenges to Their Cultural Identities Not so Much a Recentering of Culture but a Decentering of Culture Individual Project # 4 David Henderson American Intercontinental University Abstract The Chinese have been in America since the early 1600’s and have contributed to the growth of this country in many ways. When leaving your home land and coming to a new one, there are many new and different ways of doing things that may be contrary to what is normal or acceptable in you culture. The decentering of a culture is examined, as well as the impact on a culture when this happens. China’s Decentering Process “Worldwide, non-Western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities-not do much a recentering of culture but a decentering” (Sayre, 2010). What can we gather from this statement. Sayer is stating that Western cultures have begun to loose their original identities that they brought over from their native countries. Every culture that immigrated to the U.S. brought with them some of their own culture. Most brought just the clothes on their back along with hopes and dreams of a better life and ideals from the homeland. Cultures that were ‘non-western’ were caught between two continents...

Words: 396 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Worldwide Non Western Cultures Faced Fundamental Challenges to Their Cultural Identities Not so Much a Recentering of Culture but a Decentering of Culture

...things that may be contrary to what is normal or acceptable in you culture. The decentering of a culture is examined, as well as the impact on a culture when this happens. China’s Decentering Process “Worldwide, non-Western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities-not do much a recentering of culture but a decentering” (Sayre, 2010). What can we gather from this statement. Sayer is stating that Western cultures have begun to loose their original identities that they brought over from their native countries. Every culture that immigrated to the U.S. brought with them some of their own culture. Most brought just the clothes on their back along with hopes and dreams of a better life and ideals from the homeland. Cultures that were ‘non-western’ were caught between two continents, on the one hand, they had the values and views that they grew accustomed to, and on the other hand they were being introduced to a totally new and different way of life and a new set of standards, and as a result they started to adapt to a newer way of life, and in doing so their old way of life began to be replaced by a newer culture which caused their native lands culture to become decentered, and as a result the older culture started to rescind . What is really happening here is not really the decentering of cultures or even the recentering of cultures, but rather a melding of many different cultures in to one. Cultural identities are the faces societies wear to present...

Words: 395 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Worldwide Non Western Cultures Faced Fundamental Challenges to Their Cultural Identities Not so Much a Recentering of Culture but a Decentering of Culture

...Otherness: Essays and Studies 1.1 October 2010 Haunting Poetry: Trauma, Otherness and Textuality in Michael Cunningham’s Specimen Days Olu Jenzen Early conceptions of trauma are intimately linked not only with modernity but specifically with the height of industrialisation (Micale and Lerner 2001). This is converged in the opening of Specimen Days particularly in the image of an industrial accident at the ironworks where a young man is killed by the stamping machine. His young brother, replacing him at the machine after the funeral, then experiences an apparition of the dead brother still trapped inside the machine, which leads him to believe that all machines house entrapped ghosts of the dead. Writing on the Victorians’ anxieties about internal disruption caused by the advent of the railway, Jill Matus (2001, 415) has pointed out that, Freud himself remarked in Beyond the Pleasure Principle (1920), [that] there is ‘a condition [which] has long been known and described [and] which occurs after severe mechanical concussions, railway disasters and other accidents involving a risk to life; it has been given the name of traumatic neurosis’ (12). Freud’s remark brings to the fore the traumas of the industrial age as both individually and publicly experienced and negotiated. This condition of trauma as private and public, individual yet also societal is held in tension throughout Cunningham’s novel. Reflecting on the otherness of trauma and its vexed relationship to representation...

Words: 7114 - Pages: 29

Premium Essay

Challenge to Cultural Identity

...ABSTRACT Cultural identity is one's perception of one's self and the group one belongs to. Culture is the way of life of a people consisting of aspects such as language, religion, music, clothing, food, traditions, customs and values. Typically, in any given culture, these aspects of culture are centered on a handful of basic foundational beliefs or values. In colonial America, for example, culture was centered on the concepts of religious freedom, individualism, a strong work ethic, and family. All aspects of culture were shaped by these core values. They provided the "center" upon which the society and its worldview were established. “World wide, non western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities- not so much a recentering of culture but a decentering of culture” (Sayre,2010, p.419). The recentering of culture could be described as adding more or intensifying the original values, norms, family configurations and other aspects of culture. On the other hand, the decentering of culture implies removing old values and adding new thoughts, philosophies ie changing old patterns for newer methods. Almost all non-Western cultures have been influenced by the mores of the West, including countries in Asia. In general, this means that many of these cultures are becoming influenced by Western cultures, namely that of America. For example, in many Asian nations McDonalds and other American influences...

Words: 1321 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Non Western Culture

...Non-Western Culture Kerry Pemberton HUMA215-1104B-11 Topics in Cultural Studies Professor Kelly Dormady AIU December 3, 2011 Abstract This paper will explore the decentering of culture by the Europeans. Also, this paper will give examples of the effects of decentering of culture by the Europeans in Africa. Introduction As the western world began strengthening its military, communication, and developing naval technology, its new focus was conquering civilizations in the New World and decentering their culture. The Europeans were determined to pose their will on the weaker civilizations and claim these territories as part of their own. Analyze and interpret the following quotation: “Worldwide, non-Western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities—not so much a recentering of culture but a decentering of culture. The late 19th and early 20th century produced western cultures that inherited modern technology, communication, and a strong military presence. The growth of these western cultures both politically and economically influenced other cultures. As the western cultures continued to strengthen, other cultures began to fear the power the western cultures were gaining. The non-Western cultures did not want to circum to these Western cultures because they had their own values and own way of thinking. The non-Western cultures were not ready for a decentering of their own culture which...

Words: 838 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Accountant

...Non-Western Cultures Unit 4 Individual Project Amanda Waterhouse January 29, 2012 Abstract Interpretation The meaning of, “Worldwide, non-western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities-not so much a recentering of culture but a decentering of culture” (Sayre, 2010), Sayre is saying that Western cultures have begun to lose their identities that brought them over from native countries. Almost every culture that migrated to the US brought some kind of their culture with them. Even though some only came with only clothes and nothing else. They came here to hoping to fill their dreams and for a better life. Cultural Identities Culture identity is perception of oneself and they group they ma belong to. This can be influenced or inherited. Culture and belief is a big identity in most culture. There are many identities that identify a culture. Some examples of those identities are clothing, music, food, religion, language etc. (http://www.digitrends.com/crossingcultures/iden.htm) Meaning of “decentering” of a Culture Non-western cultures in the late ninetieth, early twentieth century were influenced by western cultures due to globalization. During the twentieth century, such as technology of music, media, traditions, communication progress the culture felt overwhelmed. Technology had begun growing and modernizes to the times. Music and literature has been passed down from generation to generation. Impact of Western or European Cultures Africa...

Words: 391 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Cultural Decenterization

...Cultural Decentering Aaron Walsh HUMA215-1202A-17 04/15/2012 Professor Reed Abstract Imperial expansion changed the aspect of many cultures. What was considered everyday life and tradition began to change dramatically or destroyed. The European influence on non-western society began a cultural shift to the European culture in more of a decentering, rather than reclamation to its own culture. Keywords: Culture, decentering, westernization. Introduction The non-western cultures faced many changes through the beginning of the twentieth century. Slavery and Christianity was a huge part in those changes. Centering of culture results in a change in one’s own culture. As the world began to modernize, cultures began to become part of the civilization that was thrust upon them. “Worldwide, non-Western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities—not so much a recentering of culture but a decentering of culture.” The word westernization equates to transformation to the modern ways of the world, or modernization. One must be able to distinguish the two terms. Modernization is an overhaul of the current society. Prior to the Europeans, the only other contibutors to the modernization of Africa were the Arabs. The Arab nations introduced Islam to the African culture ("Westernization - Africa,"n.d.). Through the late nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century, Western Cultures began to modernize technology, communication and expand their armed...

Words: 863 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Business

...Different Cultures “Worldwide, non-Western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities-not so much a recentering of culture but a decentering of culture.” (Sayre, 2010, p. 419) This quote is saying that many of these cultures are becoming influenced by Western cultures, namely that of America. For instance, in many Asian and African nations McDonalds and other American culture influence like Starbucks and clothing stores are coming to their countries. They are influenced by Western cultures. The non-Western cultures will face challenges to their cultural identities because they have to try and change to get modernized with everyone else. Non-Western cultures face decentering due to the challenges of globalization from the nineteenth century to the twentieth and the present. By the nineteenth and twentieth century, most cultures are trying to get modernized to fit in with all the changes of that time. As the century began, movies, music, and the media had a major influence on fashion and trends in all aspects of life. On contrast to early centuries, one of the most prominent traits of the world during the twentieth century was the drastic growth of technology. More technological advances had been made by the end of the twentieth century. Communications and information technology, transportation technology and medical advances had radically altered daily lives. (www.wvculture.org) As far as the Native Americans and the Europeans, the Native Americans...

Words: 592 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

History

...ABSTRACT "Worldwide, non-Western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities-not so much a recentering of culture but a decentering of culture.” This quotation may be taken to mean something different for both cultures; namely, the United States and Japan. Much of this has been influenced by worldwide events that happened following the 19th century in both countries. Both nations have since prospered, and we are currently seeing a joining of both cultures. In fact, neither the West nor the Eastern country of Japan may be distinguished one from the other any longer. They have truly made the most of this new global environment where we find ourselves today. Almost all non-Western cultures have been influenced by the mores of the West, including countries in Asia. In general, this means that many of these cultures are becoming influenced by Western cultures, namely that of America. For example, in many Asian nations McDonalds and other American influences like Starbucks and clothing stores are coming to their countries. They are being influenced by Western culture, hence the "decentering of culture." What’s more, I spent some time in Japan a few years ago and was surprised to see such a preponderance of Western society in an area that was so far from home. However, the decentralization of Asian culture may go both ways, meaning that although we in the U.S. have influenced Japan greatly, so have they made significant gains on our shores...

Words: 1160 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Mbi Model

...STD – ICE 2003 San Diego, CA - May 20, 2003 TU309 Getting High Performance in Diverse Teams The “M.B.I” Model Professor Joe DiStefano IMD Lausanne Switzerland L A U S A N N E - SW IT Z E R L A N D Joe DiStefano 1 JDS-MBI Model Copyright © IMD International, Lausanne, Switzerland Not to be used or reproduced without permission STD – ICE 2003 San Diego, CA - May 20, 2003 Objectives get higher performance and the impact of our differences Test the applicability of the ideas to situations from your experience L A U S A N N E - SW IT Z E R L A N D Provide a framework for using diversity to Increase awareness of ourself and others Joe DiStefano 2 JDS-MBI Model Copyright © IMD International, Lausanne, Switzerland Not to be used or reproduced without permission STD – ICE 2003 San Diego, CA - May 20, 2003 Diversity Yields Wide range of perspectives Large variety of potential solutions for problems or opportunities Potential for synergy L A U S A N N E - SW IT Z E R L A N D Joe DiStefano 3 JDS-MBI Model Copyright © IMD International, Lausanne, Switzerland Not to be used or reproduced without permission STD – ICE 2003 San Diego, CA - May 20, 2003 Performance of Diverse Teams Homogeneous Number of Teams Diverse Diverse Low Performance High L A U S A N N E - SW IT Z E R L A N D Joe DiStefano 4 JDS-MBI Model Copyright © IMD International, Lausanne, Switzerland Not to be used or reproduced without...

Words: 1995 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Humanities

...area, in which it was mostly confined to, was in the eastern part of the continent. They accelerated westward, during the aftermath, of Louisiana Purchase, and the Revolutionary war. The non-western cultural groups, which were listed in the assignment text, were; African, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, and Native American. I was asked to choose one of these groups, and discuss the impact, that the Western, or European cultures, had on the group. .(Sayre, 2008)). The non-western group, which I decided to research on, is the Native American group. Unit 4 Europeans had their first encounters, with Native Americans, in the seventh century. The area, in which it was mostly confined to, was in the eastern part of the continent. They accelerated westward, during the aftermath, of Louisiana Purchase, and the Revolutionary war. The non-western cultural groups, which were listed in the assignment text, were; African, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, and Native American. I was asked to choose one of these groups, and discuss the impact, that the Western, or European cultures, had on the group. . (Sayre, 2008)). The non-western group, which I decided to research on, is the Native American group. The Western nations, in the last part of the nineteenth century, were revitalized by the effectiveness of the new military, the communications, and by their naval technology. (Sayre, 2010, p.419). With this new revitalization, they looked to expand in their influences, and prosper new economic...

Words: 1481 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Ppq Part

...Eyleen G. Rivera MGMT415: Global Operations Management IP Unit 1: PPQ Parts Company October 5, 2012 Issues that the host foreign country could face as a result of the expansion. PPQ Parts is a company in the auto parts industry. When PPQ Parts decides to expand their business to foreign countries, they will have to make many adjustments to be able to enter these different markets. It is important for the company to be aware of any environmental impact that the expansion may play regarding the host country. They could face issues related to landscaping and the use of water where the company operation is going to be located. Also, they might experience some impact on the wildlife from the incursion of new employees in the area. Also, the company unconsciously could cause conflict with the local population with the introduction of new workers and their families. Schools and communities where the company is based may also experience changes from the addition of new people into the population. Also they might experience problems related to the foreign nature of the interaction between the new staff and the current members of the community where PPQ decides to set up the shop to sell their merchandise. All of the above factors and many more need to be the first thing in the mind of the management of PPQ so when the time comes they know how to approach and solve any difficulties before they become overwhelming to the people of the host country. (Global HR News) What cultural...

Words: 1394 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Mgmt-415 Multiculturalism and the International Company

...some issues that they may face. A barrier that a company will have an issue with is language, as this is the most important factor and tool for an international business to communicate with their clients. An example of a company having a language barrier issue is Pepsi in Taiwan. Pepsi’s slogan was “Come alive with the Pepsi generation”, which translated in Taiwanese as “Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead”. An error like this can happen when a company is too focused on branding themselves with the same marketing campaign that worked in the domestic market. Words have different meanings in different cultures due to the language spoken. Pepsi’s slogan could have possibly been taken as being offensive and therefore, could have cost Pepsi many new clients in Taiwan. Pepsi could have kept from having this problem by preparing, decentering and recentering the bridge between cross-cultural settings. A company needs to do research on the foreign market they are interested in to make sure that any issues with language will be taken care of beforehand because it is not our native tongue or main language spoken. Also with expanding in a foreign country, a company can sometimes underestimate local tastes, preferences and their competitors in the market place. In Australia,...

Words: 1385 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Calidad de La Empresa

...The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/0953-4814.htm Leadership style and entrepreneurial change The Centurion operation at Philips Electronics Luchien Karsten University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Leadership style 73 Sjoerd Keulen University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Ronald Kroeze Free University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Rik Peters University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to look at the role of the top and middle management of the Philips organization during the transition from one type of organizational change to another in the 1990s and the role the history of the organisation played in this process. Design/methodology/approach – The paper analysis is based on historical records, literature and interviews with former Philips top managers. Findings – The paper shows that Philips’ leaders used different styles of leadership to create a deliberate atmosphere and willingness to change. The final emergent transformation, however, could only sufficiently materialise while it rejuvenated existing management concepts like Quality Management. The success was partly based on the fact that these concepts played a historical role in the Philips organisation. Originality/value – The paper adds the historical style approach to leadership research and pays attention to the important role of the organization’s history...

Words: 10248 - Pages: 41

Premium Essay

Philips

...The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/0953-4814.htm Leadership style and entrepreneurial change The Centurion operation at Philips Electronics Leadership style 73 Luchien Karsten University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Sjoerd Keulen University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Ronald Kroeze Free University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Rik Peters University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to look at the role of the top and middle management of the Philips organization during the transition from one type of organizational change to another in the 1990s and the role the history of the organisation played in this process. Design/methodology/approach – The paper analysis is based on historical records, literature and interviews with former Philips top managers. Findings – The paper shows that Philips’ leaders used different styles of leadership to create a deliberate atmosphere and willingness to change. The final emergent transformation, however, could only sufficiently materialise while it rejuvenated existing management concepts like Quality Management. The success was partly based on the fact that these concepts played a historical role in the Philips organisation. Originality/value – The paper adds the historical style approach to leadership research and pays attention to the important role of the organization’s history during processes...

Words: 10260 - Pages: 42