Comparative Analysis of Dominant Russian and American Values

Comparative abridgment of dominant Russian and American Values The question of prize becomes important when we cannot under confirm and explain the demeanor of foreigners. Probably you know this from your own experience of communication with plenty from separate countries some condemnations we reckon that foreigners set distantly or rudely or just differently from what we expect. In most cases this is what is usu whollyy called cultural misunderstanding. OK, now lets dwell on the concept value. There is a considerable confusion surrounding the definition of set.In spite of the fact that there are many definitions and numberless studies, no definition has attracted widespread consensus. Kurt Baier notes that to define values sociologists employ a bewildering profusion of terms, raging from what a person wants, desires, needs, enjoys, culls to what the community enjoys, sanctions or enforces. The concept of value refers to two contrasting ideas. At one thoroughgoing we spe ak of economic values based on products, wealth, prices on highly material things. In another(prenominal) context, however, the word value acquires an abstract, intangible and non-measurable meaning.Among such spiritual values are freedom, peace, justice, equity. In many societies we comment a growing antagonism between some of the new values propagated by the mass-media, and the traditional values inherited from the past. For example, we can single out such pairs as traditional sex 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, then well contrast them. America.Before we can fully understand the dominant American humankindview we need to analyze the historical and cultural root of mainstream American society. The earliest settlers who came to the North American continent were motivated by the desire to escape the bi dding and the social order of monarchy, aristocracy, and established churches. They were seeking relief from oppression and poverty and were ready to make a fresh start. Freedom is at the center of all that Americans value and h quondam(a) dear. The U. S. Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, assures somebody rights such as freedom of speech, press and religion.The concept of individual freedom began to be associated with the unite States. By freedom Americans understand the desire and the ability of an individual to control his own life without ruffle from any organized authority. As we can see, Americans notion of freedom focused on the individual and individualization. The beforehand(predicate) settlers were mostly farmers whose success depended on their ability to survive and confront 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 strong belief in se lf-reliance and self-sufficiency is the basic candidate of the American character. Though concourse are not meet in their abilities, equality of opportunity is understood by Americans as an equal chance for success, an equal start to enter the race for success. However, this myth proclaiming equal opportunities has become one of the most battered ideals of today. Only a relatively small number of populate under corporate capitalism can reach pinnacle of success, no matter how many people are talented or motivated to succeed.Only a few can reach the give-up the ghost because they could work themselves and work hardest. There is also support from Protestant theology, which flows to associate hard work and personal doing with being in favor with God. In any context working hard is highly honored by Americans. The self-esteem of many Americans is closely connected with performing productive and rewarding work. Students and children are further to work part-time to gain valuabl e experience and become contributing members of the family instead of being a dependant.Being a productive member of the society is very important and praised and it is not surprising that elderly people and the disabled strive to be useful and productive in any way they can. The phrase 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 tenacious description of Russias national identity and national character. There are, however, reasons behind this uniqueness 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 previous one from Tsarist Russia to Socialism, from Socialist Russia to the Free Market Economy. However, despite these sweeping changes Russia has alway s present its uniquely Russian character and style which gather in survived through centuries and resist all attempts to transform or westernize Russia. It is impossible to approach the culture of Russian people without trying to look at the geo governmental 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 also a northern country with a long stale winter and short summer. The harsh climate make Russians strong and healthy, capable of enduring extreme hardship, patient and cautious, dependant on the test of time.The vast territories and cold climate, together with the need to survive and resist the attack s of neighboring 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 harvest the crops and to nurse 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 daily life. On the other hand, communal mentality is alien to the spirit of self-reliance and responsibility. Russians got used to being told what to do and what to think. Even in the new rapidly changing world decision making is often difficult for Russians who prefer to refer decisions to higher-ups, hence ridding themse lves of the responsibility in case things go wrong. Another important feature of the Russian national value system preference 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 instrument but not the goal or the highest value. With the advent of the market economy nowadays it may seem that many traditional values depart change dramatically. Traditional values are still strong self-sacrifice, sense of duty, compassion, the importance of family, and love of nature, courage and moral strength. We may only hope that provided with new practical dimensions, these values will remain the mainstream Russian values.The List of Russian-American Values. 1. Going to extremes (Russians) vs. moderation in everything (Americans) A Russian can spend all his notes in a restaurant during one night, Americans would probably never do this and would consider the Russian bearing strange or just foolish. 2. Open-heartedness (Russians) vs. being reserved (Americans) A Russian can whistle to a complete stranger on the train about his or her problems, an American would probably prefer to mouth about football, rather than to share 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 postulate you for coffee, they mean coffee and not anything else. 4. Complaining 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 borrow money from their relatives or friends, Americans borrow money from the bank. . Critical/ironical stead to ones country (Russians) vs. patriotism (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 little and earning little money for little work rather than to stand the physical strains of hard work.Russians prefer in give outectual entertainment to going in for sports (Americans prefer sports). 7. Leisure orientation (Russians) vs. Work 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 cheating (Russian). 8. Problem making (Russians) vs. problem solving ( Americans) Russians have a serious 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 complicate personality (Russians), or b) He is a fool (Americans) 9. Creative attitude to law (Russians) vs. law devotion (Americans) Its normal to break traffic laws in Russia, then its normal to bribe 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, appealing to his feelings, since Russians see in him a human being and not the embodiment of the law. 0. Collectivism (Russians) vs. individualism (Americans) Examples from Russian life cheating on tests, which is considered normal among Russian students (When Russian students are told that American students do not normally cheat, Russian students cant understand why. ). A line in the library (Several people from your sort will join you in the line and nobody would object, American students would consider this not only strange but totally unacceptable).