Cultural Pluralism - Essay Example

?Rawan Batterjee Bernett Cody English 1100 A75 June 25, James Howard Kunstler's and Wade Davis' views on cultural pluralism Cultural pluralism entails the minor groups in a state or country consistently taking part in the important society’s activities and decisions as well; however, they usually keep their differences in culture. Various explanations can be drawn on cultural pluralism and how it affects the various sections of the society. However, making a precise definition of what cultural pluralism is becomes difficult due to the in ability of establishing the boundaries within which it exists. Both Wade and Kunstler have varied opinions on what cultural pluralism entails. However, with the two divergent views that they both hold, they still manage to share some similarities. Wade Davis, an anthropologist, has considerably different views on cultural pluralism compared to James Howard Kunstler of ‘Globalization’s Time is up.’ Wade in ‘the Ticking Bomb’ brings out two opinions as to why certain people hate America. The president, George W. Bush says the hatred is because of America’s greatness. This greatness brings forth rage especially for the countries that cannot get freedom. The other opinion is from a minority group who think America is hated because of its support for some regimes especially in Middle East, which can be repressive. According to America’s democracy, some of these ideals are not acceptable. Wade thinks that America looks at the inward such that even the spending of money is much far than other countries like India. The emergence of original and more so unique cultures in America leads to celebration of individuals at community’s expense. Examples of these are human affairs innovations and the sociological event of atom splitting (Wades, p247). The United States people are quite unwilling to know or rather learn anything outside their borders. The difference in classes has led to emergence of groups such as al-Qaeda of Osama bin laden. Wade thinks al-Qaeda forms due to rich as well as poor differences. For example the leader Osama may be rich but fellow al-Qaeda may not be. The culture of America is much modernized, but for most uncivilized people especially from Africa, some of the things seem mean as they view from televisions’ programs. They conclude that that’s how the American people. Another example is where the people in the Middle East believe America’s values are questionable. Carmel Abdul Nasser had a dream of a Pan-Arabic country that was westernized. Corruption however, led to its failure (Wade, p248). A lot of people are removed from a certain type of past and usually put in a future which is unclear. In development circumstances for example, when the expectancy of life is raised then mortality of infants reduces. It is not clear however, what happens to these children as they turn into young adults or thereafter leading to low leaving standards. In Kenya, most youths after getting some literacy end up unemployed and thus dwell in slums in Nairobi and some hate their ancestral lifestyles. Throughout the world, people forget the old and traditions but the fact is that they have to struggle to survive. According to anthropology, people and cultures that are under stress bring forth ideologies which are strange or weird and unexpected. For example, the case of Boxers of China who beheaded and murdered missionaries and displayed these heads as well (Wade, p249). Wade on page 250 also says al-Qaeda does not have full Muslim faith and so is partly Muslim, partly not. A sociologist from Harvard Daniel Bell wrote that the state of the nation is too small compared to the world’s big problems yet too big for the world’s small problems. Modernization has led to changing in the cultures; even languages are not taught to the children. He also thinks that the past may end up defining the future and its culture. He gives the example of Archduke Ferdinand’s assassination that took place in 1914. This incidence may turn out to define the fate of two different worlds in even 100 years to come. Wade and Kunstler’s have a similarity on what cultural pluralism entails. According to both of them, it is evident that cultural pluralism has its effects felt globally in various sections of the society. According to the duo, democracy has a central role to play in as far as cultural pluralism is concerned. Democracy determines the extend at which cultural pluralism is exercised within a given society. As a conclusion, Wade strongly points out that there must be aspiration to a new type of pluralism spirit, which must be an international one. True democracy according to Wade, is supposed to be globally available, so that several cultures which are unique whether they are small or large, have the right to be in existence. Interdependent declaration moreover, must also be global in its existence as it is very essential for survival of the human kind. James expresses his views on cultural pluralism through globalization. Globalization is the improvement in openness in between borders of different nationalities. This results to more forms of trade and business interactions within these nationalities. Globalization has been more evident in the past thirty years (Kunstler, p288). In ‘Globalization’s Time is Up’, James acknowledges a columnist and author’s (Thomas Friedman) point which says globalization is somehow permanent. In the modern world, there are essential factors that promote globalization according to James. The world peace and existence of energy are the most important that have enabled economic relations in the world. Earlier before 1914, the world of trade and business boomed until there was emergence of war among the great nations that destroyed this. During this time power was in the countries like France, Germany, Britain, and America. There were some wars like the American civil war that did not have much negative influence. The innovation of coal and steam was the first stage in globalization. The availability of sources of fuel and means of transport for raw materials to industries as well as stable boundaries which were colonial was a very major step in globalization (Kunstler, p286). Major cultural differences appeared with the change of use of coal to oil. There were differences in development of major countries. The countries that had oil in their possession gained more and became more powerful for example America, as compared to the others like Germany and France. Facts became inevitable like there is no future without oil. The lifestyle in American suburban is different than other parts of the world. Development is evident with highways having eight lanes, chains of stores, and very big estates. According to James however, America has misallocated funds and resources generally to these suburban areas and these is in comparison to the world’s history in spending. Changes are however bound to take place as this precious resource, oil, happens to be plenty to the people hate America. Some of them are willing to go the extent of destroying it (Kunstler, p287). China is the supposed beneficiary of globalization. It will also need the resources some of which are not very far from it. The high population, environment problems and much more problems that China faces makes it even harder. James concludes that the end of globalization is just around the corner if the above reasons are considered. The American states have benefited but all the good things may end just soon. When there is no more globalization then the world will be all large again. Works Cited Wade, D. “The Ticking Bomb.” Essay Writing for Canadian Students.6th ed. Editors Kay L. Stewart, Chris J. Bullock and Marian E. Allen. Scarborough: Prentice Hall, 2008. 247-251. Kunstler, J. “Globalization’s Time is up.” Essay Writing for Canadian Students.6th ed. Editors Kay L. Stewart, Chris J. Bullock and Marian E. Allen. Scarborough: Prentice Hall, 2008. 286-289. Read More