Understanding American Worldview Summary

The United States is frame in the liberalism capitalism ideology and this ideology is embedded in the different areas of life. People learn from very early age about the American ideology at home, school; and it is reinforced at work and through media and politics. It is important to keep in mind that and ideology does not have to be supported by all the population in order to be the dominant ideology in a country. (Marger p 226)

According to the material, Americans are taught that their behaviors and choices made come from within themselves. This particular characteristic asserts the position of individualism. Individualism drives Americans to believing that there is uniqueness about themselves and their situation. The belief of emphasizing a human’s ability to choose is strengthened by American cultural narratives. This belief also leads to the fundamental narrative of American culture: Regeneration through regression.

Since its inhabitance, competition and dominance has been a concept that remains prevalent throughout American life. Past ideologies such as Manifest Destiny, Cultural Imperialism, and Ethnocentrism are all practices and beliefs comprising what it means to be American for many citizens, while also continually shaping outside perception of Americans today. On one hand, many countries have and continue to fully embrace American culture, globalization, and the rise of capitalism. In contrast, many countries have and continue to reject America’s stride for world assimilation regarding their ideals and values.

In The More Factor, by Laurence Shames, it is explained that the wholly American views of unending frontier, opportunity, and more have always been a part of who we are as a people. Over time these ideals and their growth have shifted from that of the physical world to that of economic expansion. Eventually society was faced with the realization that this growth is not sustainable, and that we must face this truth in order to reevaluate and shift our values to a more realistic view. I feel that this change in cultural values is something that must be dealt with in order for our society to continue to be relevant in today’s world.

Some cultures orient themselves in the past, where traditions, long term commitments and ancestry play a major role within these cultures. Learning from history and continuing traditions is its motto. Older countries such as India and China tend to be past-oriented, they are more laid back and do not put an emphasis on time. The trains in India are often late, which seems to be the norm for pretty much everything, and the people do not worry about it. Other cultures are future oriented meaning they emphasis what is to come. This orientation believes in planning ahead, getting ready for the future and sacrificing for a better future. America is a perfect example of future orientation because it tends to focus on the future, lives often run by the clock and it values busyness. The busier the better and often want instant gratification. We are often judged on how busy we are vs. how much time we spend doing nothing. This reminds me of a quote "time means money," which to me equates to make every minute count. It is a culture that likes everything fast such as fast-food, instant coffee and speed-dating. And finally some cultures orient themselves towards a present orientation, where they focus on the here and now because the past is the past and the future may never come. This culture tends to prefer short-term benefits and immediate results especially within the Latin American countries. "Carpe diem" means seize the day and is associated with a present

The United States of America has gone through several challenges since it gained independence. Some of these challenges have been effectively tackled by the respective governments by passing of laws that have ended up building strong institutions that maintain the moral fabric of the American society. These are some of the process philosophies that have led to a United States of America that respects life and more so, a more stable economic environment that has ensured that the American dream flourishes. This essay is aimed at stating the changes that the pressures applied by the Civil Rights groups has put on those who would otherwise

Therefore, it can be stated that human nature doesn’t do well when it isn’t living in a civilized world.

What does America mean to me? America, America is a hard thing to define there are so many different unique qualities and characteristics that make up this country. Here we are able to do things that in other places would seem impossible or against the law. This is a quality of freedom that is very unique about the United States Of America and what our country is based off of. We have to remember, with freedom comes sacrifice many people have given their lives so that we may have this freedom. Then all of the men and women that time and time again give their lives so that our nation may be free show the highest level of courage among all of us. Though freedom we have had our faults and keeping it and now are in a state where all people are created equal and are treated the same. This is some of the base principles that our nation is founded upon.

In relation to judgment, I do believe that cultures should judge each other. I think judgment plays an important role when

In truth, its history dates back as far as the sixteenth century, following the first great expansion of European capitalism, which resulted in slave trade, colonialism and neo-colonialism (Ezema, 2009). Throughout history, world powers have continually sought to perpetuate their way of life: from the philosophy and mythology of the Greeks, the political ideologies and linguistics of the Romans, and the art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance (Daghrir, 2013). Thus, it comes as no surprise that the aftermath of the post-war era, which saw the collapse of Soviet communism and the emergence of the United States as the sole hegemon, saw the aggressive spread of American ideals, values, and beliefs. Indeed, just as American goods flooded world markets in the post-World War II era; American culture now penetrates every continent through the aggressive development of mass communications, trade expansion and information technology.

In our country, someone who likes to be helpful is considered a model citizen, whereas in his own country he would be considered “abnormal” (Benedict p.2). Benedict used this example.to argue that like behavior, morality is culturally determined and that what can be morally right for one society can be considered morally wrong for another (Newton, Evaluating Cultural Relativism).

Cultural relativism suggests that whatever any culture does is acceptable and we must positively judge other cultures’ practices—it is “right” for them. Who am I to judge differently? Cultural relativism arises out of a concern not to impose our cultural values on other cultures. The problem with believing that all values are

These virtuous standards directs our actions in order that nonviolent societies might be. Many individuals acquire ethical standards from their family, their peers at institutes, in religious settings, or in other public locations. While a record amount of societies obtain their logic of that which is

Human nature, the essence of what makes a human person what they are, is something that everybody has. Every person is innately a person, but how they put their personhood into action is the biggest indicator of their character, or the projection of a person’s human nature. At their core there is human nature, but their actions are what direct this source of humanity. The quality of someone’s actions is shaped by their environment and sometimes their biological makeup as well. Human nature does not have good or evil characteristics. It is how a person thinks and acts that is the true factor in the shaping of their character.

In my thoughts United States is a unique country. Because, it built by the immigrants who came here for better opportunity, beautiful life and great dreams. United States reminds me small world because lot of people from each part of the world live here. That makes United States different and interesting country in my mind. Culture is something which explains people’s life style, interest, history and values. So, every emigrant brought some new perspective in the United State. We are able to find some cultural piece from every part of the world. Because of, the dreams every person brought some perspective which makes them hard working and seeking for new opportunities. So, United State is the representative of diversity, new built culture, individualism and direct also outspoken place where your dream could be true.