Cultural map (play)

Culture is the totality of the intellectual and artistic achievements of a society (cf. Wahrig 2009, 638). In this context, the anthropological concept of culture encompasses the totality of collective patterns of perception, thought and action in a society. Hofstede understands it as „a collective phenomenon, since it is at least partly shared with people who live or lived in the same social environment, i.e. where this culture was learned. It is the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes members of one group or category of people from another“ (Hofstede 1993, 19).

Ethnology – a science of peoples

Ethnology, also called cultural anthropology or ethnology, is a science that works empirically, making comparisons. Its goal is to explore how diverse human behaviors are in order to then make them understandable and explain them across cultures. The focus is no longer only on distant societies, but also on our own, in which cultural diversity and difference are significant (cf. Barth 1969).

In this context, the ethnologist Christoph Antweiler remarks that all cultures have a surprising amount in common despite innumerable differences. He collects Barbie dolls from all over the world to examine them for their similarities and differences. In doing so, he finds that they are adapted to the cultures of their country of origin, but that certain basic characteristics, such as smooth skin or a narrow waist, are consistent and are considered signs of beauty in all cultures (cf. Rauner 2009). Antweiler is not concerned with trivial similarities. Rather, he explores the phenomenon that, although it could be otherwise, almost all cultures share commonalities, such as a ban on incest, hospitality, or sexual restrictions (cf. Rauner 2009).

A clash of interests

Antweiler also notes, however, that cultures often present themselves as hermetically sealed in their struggle for recognition and profile, and thus the common ground does not come into view (cf. Antweiler 2009, 12). Yet we know today that, on the one hand, people have a potential for aggression and that social relationships in particular are often characterized by this. On the other hand, people also tend to be friendly, considerate and cooperative (cf. Antweiler 2009, 104). Despite the many similarities, ethnic conflicts do exist. These have, for example, disadvantage or scarcity of resources as their cause.

The (cultural) map of power

Civil wars, such as those that prevailed in Rwanda or former Yugoslavia, are one example. Conflicts with socioeconomic causes are often colored culturally by the participants themselves for strategic reasons and only after the fact. They do not admit to being poor or overburdened, but play the ethnic card: Claims of ownership are asserted as well as allegedly insurmountable cultural differences are emphasized (cf. Rauner 2009). Neither customs, traditions nor values are at stake. The aim is to achieve power, make money and occupy lucrative posts. In order to assert the interests of one’s own group in this struggle, it is advantageous to play the cultural card (cf. Antweiler 2009, 106).

In order for a peaceful way of life to emerge, a culture would have to be found that permanently does not wage wars or in which male violence does not play a role. This shows „that violence and war are not laws of nature or structural necessities of life in a society.“ (Antweiler 2009, 107)

Literature

Antweiler, Christoph (2009): Heimat Mensch. What connects us. Hamburg: Murmann.

Barth, F. (1969): Ethnic Groups and Boundaries. The Social Organization of Culture Difference. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.

Hermann, Ursula (2006): WAHRIG. Die deutsche Rechtschreibung (2009). Berlin: Cornelsen.

Hofstede, Geert (1993). Intercultural cooperation. Cultures – organizations – management. Wiesbaden: Gabler.

Rauner, Max (2009) Diversity is limited. https://www.zeit.de/zustimmung?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zeit.de%2Fzeit-wissen%2F2009%2F06%2FInterview-Antweiler [28.06.2018].

Thomas, Alexander (2016) Intercultural psychology. Understanding and acting in international contexts. Göttingen: Hogrefe.