Comparative Analysis of Dominant Russian and American Values

Comparative analysis of dominant Russian and American Values The question of time determine becomes important when we cannot understand and explain the manner of foreigners. Probably you know this from your own experience of communication with multitude from unlikewise countries sometimes we think that foreigners be arrest strangely or rudely or just differently from what we expect. In most cases this is what is usually called cultural construe. OK, now permits dwell on the concept value. There is a considerable confusion surrounding the commentary of values.In break of the fact that at that place atomic number 18 many a(prenominal) definitions and innumerable studies, no definition has attracted widespread consensus. Kurt Baier notes that to define values sociologists employ a bewildering profusion of terms, uncivilised from what a person wants, desires, leads, enjoys, culls to what the community enjoys, sanctions or enforces. The concept of value refers to 2 contra sting ideas. At one extreme we speak of economic values based on products, wealth, prices on highly significant things. In some former(a) context, however, the word value acquires an abstract, intangible and non-measurable meaning.Among such spiritual values atomic number 18 license, peace, justice, equity. In many societies we find a growing antagonism in the midst of some of the new values propagated by the mass-media, and the traditional values communicable from the past. For example, we can single out such pairs as traditional wind up roles/blurring of sex roles or traditional family life/alternative families. But lets analyse all this stuff by looking at two countries, America and Russia. First of all, well give some descriptive information, wherefore well compare them. America.Before we can fully understand the dominant American worldview we need to analyze the historical and cultural roots of mainstream American society. The earliest settlers who came to the couplin g American continent were motivated by the desire to escape the figure and the social order of monarchy, aristocracy, and established churches. They were seeking relief from oppression and penury and were ready to make a fresh start. Freedom is at the philia of all that Americans value and hold dear. The U. S. Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, assures one-on-one rights such as freedom of speech, press and religion.The concept of individual(a) freedom began to be associated with the United States. By freedom Americans understand the desire and the competency of an individual to control his own life without interference from any nonionised authority. As we can see, Americans notion of freedom focused on the individual and individuality. The early settlers were mostly farmers whose success depended on their ability to survive and await hardships on their own. This idealized self-reliant individual is easily recognizable in the industrial age as a small businessman who became a financial success on his own.This untouchable belief in self-assertion and self-sufficiency is the basic aspect of the American character. Though people are not equal in their abilities, equality of opportunity is understood by Americans as an equal chance for success, an equal start to enter the melt for success. However, this myth proclaiming equal opportunities has become one of the most battered ideals of today. lonesome(prenominal) a relatively small number of people under integrated capitalism can reach pinnacle of success, no matter how many people are talented or motivated to succeed.Only a few can reach the top because they could discipline themselves and break hardest. There is withal support from Pro riseant theology, which tends to associate hard work and personal acquisition with being in favor with God. In any context works hard is highly honored by Americans. The self-esteem of many Americans is almost connected with performing productive and rewarding work. Students and children are encouraged to work part-time to gain valuable experience and become contributing members of the family takeably of being a dependant.Being a productive member of the society is rattling important and praised and it is not surprising that elderly people and the disabled separate out to be useful and productive in any way they can. The expression to go from rags to riches reflects the great American dream in which material wealth and possessions are one of the top priorities. Russia. Russia, more than any other country, has always been a challenge for philosophers and historians who tried to provide a formal description of Russias national identity and national character. There are, however, reasons behind this singularity and complexity.Russia is a very old country with the history of more than 11 centuries. It often happened that the new stage of development denied all the values of the precedent one from Tsarist Russia to Socialism, from Socialist Russia to the Free Market Economy. However, despite these wholesale changes Russia has always demonstrated its uniquely Russian character and style which have survived through centuries and resist all attempts to transform or westernize Russia. It is insufferable to approach the culture of Russian people without trying to look at the geopolitical context within which Russia has lived for centuries.Russia is a vast country, situated on the crossroads of Europe and Asia. With such a vast territory to govern, Russia evolved into a state ruled from its center. Distance and isolation prevented easy communication with other centers of civilization which contributed to isolation from excessive foreign influence and to the uniqueness of the Russian national worldview. Russia is as well a northern country with a immense cold winter and short summer. The harsh climate made Russians strong and healthy, capable of enduring extreme hardship, patient and cautious, dependant on the test of tim e.The vast territories and cold climate, to shellher with the need to survive and resist the attacks of adjacent countries cultivated the spirit of communalism, which is often considered to be a predominant Russian value. From prehistoric times when Russians banded together to cultivate the land, to fell the trees, to result the crops and to protect themselves from invaders, sobornost (communal spirit, togetherness) became a distinctive feature of Russians in contrast to the individualism and competitiveness of the West. Communalism at the same time brought about such ideals as dependence on each others help, mutual support and trust.Russians rely on a close network of family and friends and coworkers as protection against the risks and unpredictability of day-by-day life. On the other hand, communal mentality is alien to the spirit of impudence and responsibility. Russians got used to being told what to do and what to think. Even in the modern promptly changing world decision m aking is often difficult for Russians who prefer to refer decisions to higher-ups, thus ridding themselves of the responsibility in case things go wrong. other important feature of the Russian national value system find of taste of spiritual over material.N. Berdyaev considered Russians to be the most spiritual people in the world and claimed that the economy can be viewed only as an legal document but not the goal or the highest value. With the advent of the market economy nowadays it may seem that many traditional values forget change dramatically. Traditional values are still strong self-sacrifice, sense of calling, compassion, the importance of family, and cognise of nature, courage and moral strength. We may only swear that provided with new practical dimensions, these values will remain the mainstream Russian values.The joust of Russian-American Values. 1. Going to extremes (Russians) vs. moderation in everything (Americans) A Russian can buy the farm all his money in a restaurant during one night, Americans would believably never do this and would consider the Russian behavior strange or just foolish. 2. Open-heartedness (Russians) vs. being reserved (Americans) A Russian can communication to a complete stranger on the train about his or her problems, an American would probably prefer to talk about football, rather than to package his or her problems with anybody. 3. Generosity, hospitality (Russians) vs.BEING PRACTICAL, saving money (Americans) While Russian dinner is a real feast, Americans make as many hamburgers as there are guests expected if Americans invite you for coffee, they mean coffee and not anything else. 4. sound off about problems (Russians) vs. Being always OK (Americans) Russians and Americans solve their problems in different ways if Russians have problems they go to their relatives or friends, if Americans have problems, they go to their psychiatrist. Russians and Americans also differ in borrowing money Russians bor row money from their relatives or friends, Americans borrow money from the bank. . Critical/ironical placement to ones country (Russians) vs. nationalism (Americans) Russian love of their country is geographical (they love their nature, their birch-trees) American love is political (they love their freedom and democracy and they believe that its their sacred duty to protect freedom and democracy all over the world). 6. Being druthers (Russians) vs. Action orientation (Americans) Americans are more active physically and mentally. Russians prefer to sit at home doing elfin and earning little money for little work rather than to stand the physical strains of hard work.Russians prefer happy entertainment to going in for sports (Americans prefer sports). 7. Leisure orientation (Russians) vs. plow orientation (Americans) You have worked hard before the exam. When you come to your exam and get 5 you tell your colleagues that you knew everything and you deserved it (American) you tell your colleagues that you knew nothing and got 5 because of rip off (Russian). 8. Problem making (Russians) vs. problem solving (Americans) Russians have a hard attitude to life, they tend to complicate everything, Americans have a childish attitude to life, they tend to simplify everything.Situation Your friend doesnt get on with his colleagues and because of this wont get a promotion. You think that a) He has a complicated personality (Russians), or b) He is a fool (Americans) 9. Creative attitude to law (Russians) vs. law respectfulness (Americans) Its formula to break commerce laws in Russia, then its normal to reward the police (Americans cant even think of bribing the police ). Explanation When Russians break traffic laws and are stopped by the policeman, they first try to talk with him, appeal to his feelings, since Russians see in him a human being and not the personification of the law. 0. Collectivism (Russians) vs. individualism (Americans) Examples from Russian l ife cheating on tests, which is considered normal among Russian students (When Russian students are told that American students do not usually cheat, Russian students cant understand why. ). A line in the library (Several people from your group will join you in the line and nobody would object, American students would consider this not only strange but totally unacceptable).