Which cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes best promote
democracy, social justice, and prosperity? How can we use the
forces that shape cultural change, such as religion, child-rearing
practices, education, and political leadership, to promote these
values in the Third World-and for underachieving minorities in the
First World? In this book, Lawrence E. Harrison offers intriguing
answers to these questions, in a valuable follow-up to his
acclaimed Culture Matters. Drawing on a three-year research project
that explored the cultural values of dozens of nations-from
Botswana, Sweden, and India to China, Egypt, and Chile-Harrison
offers a provocative look at values around the globe, revealing how
each nation's culture has propelled or retarded their political and
economic progress. The book presents 25 factors that operate very
differently in cultures prone to progress and those that resist it,
including one's influence over destiny, the importance attached to
education, the extent to which people identify with and trust
others, and the role of women in society. Harrison pulls no
punches, and many of his findings will be controversial. He argues,
for example, that Protestantism, Confucianism, and Judaism have
been more successful in promoting progress than Catholicism,
Orthodox Christianity, and Islam. Harrison rejects the Bush
administration's doctrine that "the values of freedom are right and
true for every person, in every society." Thus nations like Iraq
and Afghanistan-where illiteracy, particularly among women, and
mistrust are high and traditions of cooperation and compromise are
scant-are likely to resist democracy. Most important, the book
outlines a series of practical guidelines that developing nations
and lagging minority groups can use to enhance their political,
social, and economic well-being. Contradicting the arguments of
multiculturalists, this book contends that when it comes to
promoting human progress, some cultures are clearly more effective
than others. It convincingly shows which values, beliefs, and
attitudes work and how we can foster them.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
