Analyzing Countries (Essay Sample)

Analyzing Countries
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Analyzing Countries
Countries around the world vary on beliefs, cultures and democracy. The difference can be explained in terms of factors that shape and dictates what people believe on and what they value. One of the factors is the exposure to modernization. The countries that are modernized are the developed countries like United States, France, and Britain among other countries. These countries are more globalized due to the technology that they uses to relate with other countries have more sound democracy and stable governance, and have high standard cultures. A contrast to underdeveloped countries like many countries in Asia and Africa with people still stuck in traditional barbaric cultures. These cultures may include female genital mutilations, have no democracy and are in constant civil wrangles and they are alienated from the rest of the world due to lack of modern communications means that can connect them to outside world (Smith, 2001). Countries also vary in terms of religions that dictate the way of living and that attach values to certain life activities at the expense of others.
There are various theories, hypothesis and explanations that try to explain the difference in globalization, cultures and democracy among the nations. One of these is the modernization hypothesis that states globalization will lead to more modern values and greater cultural homogenization across countries as those countries become more globalized. Modernization means that the country is in a position to employ the modern technology to communicate, exchange ideas and interact with others thus it will exchange values. Another hypothesis is the reactive hypothesis that states that globalization will elicit a reaction against globalization and modern values. This hypothesis proposes that the nation will oppose modernization as it will erode their tradition and make their people assimilate to outside cultures. Thus, they are conservative and are rooted to their cultural values (Smith, 2001).
The way of living, the beliefs, cultures and democracy can be reflected on the broad classification of behaviors. These are traditional-rational versus secular values and survival versus self-express values. The traditional-rational are those where the countries are conservative and do not want to embrace modernization at the expense of their cultures. On the other hand, secular values are associated with countries that have been modernized that freedom of association and expression and are willing to exchange cultural values with adopting the most modern. On the other hand, the survival values are very prevalent in the underdeveloped third world countries where the democracy is an issue. Self-expressive values are associated with the countries that are democratic and individual have the freedom of expression, they are modernized and globalized (Smith, 2001). Thus, under the basis of these two criteria, the world nations can be divided into two, modern and traditional.
This essay looks to analyze four countries of the basis of globalization, cultures and democracy following the guidelines; traditional-rational versus secular values and survival versus self-express values. The four countries that are chosen for my case study are Morocco, Jordan, Japan, and France. These four countries were picked such that two scored highly under this classification while the other two scored low under the classifications. It is expected that countries that score high on the traditional-rational versus secular values and survival versus self-express values classifications have more homogenized ways of lives whereas the ones scoring low have differentiated ways of lives from diverse cultures. The analysis can be summarized in the image below.
Morocco
Morocco is made up of a multiethnic society characterized by rich culture and civilization. Morocco has played hostage to too many people from different cultures around the world. The social structure of Moroccan society has hence been altered by these interactions. The country has many religions that have been imported from other countries, but Islam is the basic religion of morocco. Morocco is one of the few African states that have most of its population Islam. The Moroccan society has been influenced by other world cultures although it has tried to maintain its indigenous culture and protect their elimination (Democracy web, 2010). Amongst the top Moroccan priorities is protecting its diversity and preserve its cultural heritage.
Since independence, the Moroccan governments have failed to respect human rights and represented one of the failed democracies in the Muslim state. The constitutional monarchy does not allow the state to check the right to the authorities. The reconciliation talks that have been going through in Morocco have failed to achieve significant fruits in the provision of justice and to hold the leaders accountable. The king of the monarchial government still has the power to make sole decisions in the land, and the parliament is only an advisory body. Morocco has no freedom of expression for its citizens. The government controls the media and punishes them for any criticism, and most of the media houses in Morocco are state owned. The country has a dictatorship form of governance (Democracy web, 2010). The people of Morocco believe that their country lacks in democracy, and this is shown in the diagram shown below.
The culture of morocco is still stuck in the traditions although some sections like in the cities show some shifting and adoption of other cultures because of interactions with other people who have migrated to morocco. Moroccan people still observe the ancient practices like dressing and food, the people who defy this are not accepted in the society since it is their pride to have cultural identity. There are conspicuous traditional art that is being practiced in the Moroccan society today for the preservation of cultures.
On the basis of traditional-rational versus secular values and survival versus self-express values, morocco scores low because the traditions win against the secular values. The country has more respect for cultural diversity and does not buy into the idea of civilization. The country per capita income is high, and the living standards are above that of low-income states. Thus, the people to not lead survival lifestyles; nevertheless, there are no values for self-expression since the dictatorship limits their right and freedoms. The country has not achieved globalization because they are still conservatives of traditions, and the freedom of association is curtailed; thus the effects of globalization on culture are not real (Democracy web, 2010).
Jordan
Jordan globalization has emerged over the years. In 2007, Jordan was estimated to be the 9th most globalized nation in the Kearney Globalization Index. The globalization characteristics that were observed in the country at that time included economic growth, social and political stability components of that index. On trade tables, Jordan showed notably progresses on high investment rates, liberal trade regimes, and high n amount of expatriate remittances. There are high penetration rates of technology and an ICT industry that is fast growing and has earned Jordan high marks on the connectivity worldwide. For instance, Jordan was estimated to have a 28%penetration rate and 101% penetration rate on both internet and cellphones in 2007 respectively (Globalization,2014). Jordan is also credited for its contribution to the world peacekeeping efforts through contribution of a significant number of troops in the world.
Jordan is Arabic and Islamic elements culture with little influence from western culture. Jordan has diversity in its culture since it is at intersection of three countries. There are notable features of its culture especially the Jordan music and sports like football and basketball. 60% off the Jordan residents live in the city of Amman (Globalization,2014), and that is where the culture is concentrated. Jordan music and pop culture has been highly influenced by the American culture since they have adopted some parts of the western trends in their music. The city of Amman is characteristic of night parties and clubbing. There are a good number of people in Jordan who have shown some counter-culture practices and have denounced piercing of body parts and tattoos. The city of Amman is considered to be the most westernized city in the region because of how people have adopted the western cultures at the expense of their culture (Globalization, 2014). The assimilation has also been observed in most parts of the country, and the Americans have found Amman a favored destination where they have interfered with even the politics of the country.
The democracy of Jordan has never gained roots to the present day. Like countries like Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Tunisia, there is heated arguments and political temperatures regarding democratic governance. The past regimes have always opposed the political activities that could lead to quick reform whereas the citizens and political activists call for accelerations of the reform pace. Even as certain constitution articles were amended to pave the way for reforms, most people felt that as useless move and they were against it (Globalization, 2014). Election results in the country have always been distorted and have always had wrangles. Jordan does not have democracy like other globalized countries.
Japan
In terms of globalization, japan remains at the top of among the most industrialized and high-tech states in the world. Japan leads the producers of the modern communication and media gadgets. Japan is also among the best countries in the world with the technical knowhow, expertise and skills in the field of innovation and technical skills. This puts the countr...