Cultural Awarenesss for the Country of Germany - Essay Example

Module Outline I. Culture has various characteristics. A. Examples of these characteristics include adaptive, learnt and continuous among others. B. The characteristics define the cultural process. II. Characteristics of culture are attributed to the nature of the cultural practices. A. They outline the progressive nature of culture. B. They also show that culture cannot be individualized. III. Germany represents one of the countries in the European cultural region. A. It is located in the central part of Europe. B. It is the largest member of the European Union. IV. Germany has a vibrant economy. A. This economy is boosted by a vibrant infrastructural system. B. The economy has also contributed to a high standard of living. V. Its culture can be depicted through various practices. A. Some the practices contributing towards its culture include geographical location and economic prowess. B. Other factors relate to religious practices. Cultural Awareness for the Country of Germany Culture can be defined as the distinguishing factor of various aspects of life with regard to various groups of people. Consequently, it entails a complex combination of knowledge, morals, beliefs and customs. Hence, these beliefs and values can be depicted in various forms of art and passed from one generation to another. Characteristics Of Culture Culture is Learnt. Unlike physical semblances and features, culture is not inherited biologically by an individual (Levine 6). Therefore, this implies that culture has to be natured through a system of learning. Thus, certain occurrences such as blinking or closing eyes while sleeping are purely physiological reflexes. However, practices such as the shaking of hands, mode of dressing, feeding habits and religious practices represent cultural practices. Consequently, these practices are not inborn; thus, they have to be developed based on various influences upon a person’s life. Culture is Social. This represents another characteristic of culture. It implies that culture cannot be isolated or individualized (Levine 6). Thus, culture is a collective and societal affair that involves socializing and interacting with different sets of people and communities. As a result, such interaction may result in the emergence of new cultural practices; thus, reinforcing the fact that culture is learnt and not inherited. Moreover, in regards to the sociological context, culture has to be shared. Hence, the beliefs, values and morals are shared by a group of people. Culture is Transient. This refers to the fact that culture has always been transferred from one generation to another. Accordingly, this can be achieved through various processes. For instance, children are able to learn numerous cultural traits from their parents through imitation (Philpott 206). This explains why those children who are brought up in abusive families often end up leading similar lives in their adulthood. Consequently, other modes of transmission of culture include use of language, poetry, literature and various forms of art. Culture is Continuous and Cumulative. This is owed to the fact that culture exists in a progressive state. Consequently, this phenomenon of culture changing with time contributes to its cumulative nature (Philpott 206). This is owed to the fact that human beings have the tendency to discover new inventions with the lapsing of time. Consequently, this results in the development of new cultural skills and knowledge; thus, creating a cumulative cultural process. For instance, during its inception, agricultural practice employed the use of crude tools such as hoes. This was later advanced to the animal-driven ploughs and later the fully mechanized agricultural industry. Similarly, the motor vehicle industry has also evolved cumulatively from the basic locomotives to the modern fancied automobiles associated with certain cultural classes. Therefore, this represents the continuous and cumulative nature of cultural practices. Culture is Dynamic and Adaptive. This can be attributed to the numerous interactions and interconnections that exist in the modern society. The world is filled with people from different and unique backgrounds. However, these people are dependent on one another. These complex interactions contribute to the dynamic nature of culture (Philpott 206). Moreover, culture is also responsive to the changes in the conditions of the dynamic nature of the world. For instance, before the emergence of civilization, human beings had to adapt to various cultural methods such as hunting, use of fire and crude agricultural methods. The modern society also presents a myriad of challenges that require the adaptive capabilities of human beings with regard to culture. Culture is Gratifying. This refers to the ability of culture to provide opportunities for the satisfaction of human being’s needs and desires. This is owed to the numerous aesthetic opportunities that culture has to offer such as different forms of entertainment in the form of song and dance, various sporting activities, poetry, literature, music and other forms of human art (Philpott 206). Moreover, other human wants such as the need for food, clothing, shelter, education, medication and even love are collectively fulfilled through cultural practices. Therefore, this further contributes towards the complex and dynamic cultural existence. Culture is Unique. This implies that although societies embrace healthy interactions, different societies have unique and distinct cultures (Philpott 206). This is evidenced by different cultural norms, values beliefs and practices based on different community settings. Consequently, different societies differ in regards to modes of eating, dressing, worshiping and communicating. However, cultural interactions may result in changes in some of the cultural practices of a given community. Consequently, the European culture can be characterized as a collection of numerous individual cultures based on social interaction (Levine 6). However, the culture was founded on a basis of enlightenment and socialism. Consequently, this revolution contributed significantly towards the development of various philosophies related to the European culture. The growth of the European culture can be owed to its economic prowess and global connection. Cultural Overview Of Germany Germany is one of the countries located in the European region (Schulze 8). The country covers an area of about 357,000 square kilometers and has a temperate climate. It has a population of over 80 million people; therefore, it represents the most populous nation in the European Union. Since the country represents one of the largest economies of the world, it also boasts of extremely high living standards. All these factors contribute towards the country’s rich cultural and political history. Physical Geography. As mentioned earlier, Germany is located in the west-central part of the European continent (Schulze 8). Consequently, this strategic location allows the country to access the Baltic Sea on the northern part. The nation also boasts of varied terrain with both uplands and lowlands. In addition, the nation is also endowed with various natural resources. Climate. The country experiences a temperate, seasonal climate. However, eastern parts of the country embrace a continental climate. These climatic conditions have significantly influenced Germany’s biodiversity (Schulze 8). As a result, most of Germany’s land is arable and can support various agricultural projects. In addition, a significant part of the land is also covered with forests and woodlands. Military. Germany’s military is organized into four branches. These include the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Joint Support Service. Consequently, the integration of the Joint Support Service into the military represents a unique German cultural aspect. Moreover, unlike in numerous other nations, Germany’s defense forces are commanded by the Chancellor. In many nations, the president automatically doubles up as the commander-in-chief of the defense forces. However, Germany embraces a different approach to the military system through which the Chancellor assumes the control of defense forces (Schulze 8). In addition, Germany’s military system also incorporates a voluntary model. Through the system, citizens may volunteer for short-time military service programs. The country also uses only 1.3 percent of its GDP on the military which is significantly low when compared to other similar nations. However, voluntary military service programs have not always been the case with regard to military service. Until recently, military service was compulsory for all men aged 18 years. Infrastructure. The nation’s strategic location in Europe makes it a hub for transportation. Consequently, Germany’s infrastructure is buoyed by a dense, modern transport network (Velkley 4). This network is comprised of technologically advanced modes of transport including train, road and air. As an effect of this immensely dense system of infrastructure, the country’s emission of green house gases has been on the rise. However, the government is committed to the employment of environmental friendly systems of energy that employ the use of renewable energy. Therefore, all these systems have contributed to the establishment of the German culture. Its culture has been cumulatively built on various ancient practices. Consequently, the nation’s ancient philosophers and writers contributed significantly to the propagation and development of the German culture. The country has employed dynamic and liberal cultural practices. Therefore, different people are entitled to various rights. As a result, the society is also tolerant to other socio-cultural behaviors such as homosexuality. The rights of marginalized groups are championed by several civil unions since their inception in 2001. Therefore, these systems form Germany’s socio-cultural alignment (Velkley 4). Works Cited Levine, Donald. Simmel: On Individuality and Social Forms. Chicago University Press, 2011. Print. Philpott, Daniel. "The Religious Roots of Modern International Relations." World Politics 52.2 (2010): 206–245. Print. Schulze, Hagen. Germany: A New History. Harvard University Press, 2008. Print. Velkley, Richard. "The Tension in the Beautiful: On Culture and Civilization in Rousseau and German Philosophy." Being after Rousseau: Philosophy and Culture in Question. The University of Chicago Press, 2003. Print. Read More