Do you live in a monocultural or multicultural society? Many times we find it difficult to define. What is a monocultural society?

Most experts agree that the essential features of a monocultural society are a common heritage, belief structure, language, and usually a monoracial identity. As we live in a more globalized world, many of our societies are essentially multicultural. But still many of today’s societies still share the common features of a monocultural society.

What are these common traits?

1. a common heritage

The historical heritage of the society could be based on the perception that nations, food, language, attitudes, racial traits and religious beliefs are an essential element for the identity of nations.

two. A shared belief structure

Most citizens of a country have a shared belief structure, based on the heritage of the nation. These beliefs form the national identity and ‘psyche’, creating for many a stronger united society, but for detractors a nation that misses the benefits of a multicultural ethnic society.

3. An inward-looking ‘psyche’

For many, monocultural societies tend to look inward rather than outward, and this can show in the nation’s culture. TV shows and news tend to be locally focused, and the identity of cultures is heavily promoted. A certain degree of ignorance of the outside world is often the product of looking within.

4. A suspicion of “foreigners”

The “psyche” of a monocultural society can often be suspicious of “foreigners” and unacceptable of their beliefs. This could lead to discouraging multi-cultural associations, to a “ghetto” mentality of separating cultures across the areas in which they can live. .

5. Common religious values

While in some societies religion is considered less important, other cultures see it as part of their national or ethnic identity. A strong monocultural official religion is often a strong feature of this type of society.

6. tribalism

Citizens of strong multicultural societies tend to be more tribal when they live outside their own culture. Multicultural marriages are unacceptable, neighbors, food and even the workplace tend to be ‘tribal’ – the influence of the new society diminished by this strong cultural bond, among others who share it.

7. Purchase of goods

Monocultural societies tend to support their own products, rather than buy products from other nations. They tend to be proud of their industries and economic achievements, encouraging the purchase of domestically produced products over others. This is beneficial in a recession, but in a booming economy it can hinder the choices consumers have.

Monocultural societies tend to feel more secure, as long as they identify you as “one of the group”, but also conservative when it comes to accepting change. While under threat, these societies tend to coalesce faster, but they can also be guilty of the worst kinds of ethnic abuse.

Historical examples could be the Armenian holocaust by Turkey, or past bloodshed in the Balkans and Rwanda: events that do not generally occur in more modern multi-ethnic societies, which accept differences of ideas and beliefs.

Recessions often create a more monocultural perspective in societies, where failures can suddenly appear even in multicultural societies, often under the guise of competition for jobs and economic rights. However, despite the economic difficulties, without the color, music and openness of a multicultural society, we would live in a very boring and limited world.

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