The Inglehart-Welzel cultural map of the world
Mari-Lise Du Preez | April 02, 2010
Interesing argument. And I agree with you. Well, mostly. Or actually, I'll have to think about it some more before I get back to you.
In the meantime, rather than comment directly on what you said, I think I'll add something:
Your discussion made me think how, with all the talk of 'global village', we run the risk of underplaying the differences that still exist among us.
Something like the Inglehart Welzel Cultural Map of the World illustrates this well. This map plots countries that took part in the World Values Survey along two axes: 1) on one axis from most traditional values to most secular-rational values, and 2) on the other, from survival values to self-expression values.
I cannot explain all of it here - go check it out at http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/. If you are a development worker, specifically look at where your home country is and where you get your money from. Then look for the countries in which you operate. Take myself as an example: I am a South African, doing work on Tanzania, with funding from Norway (for instance).
Of course, there are many questions and critiques that could arise immediately. For one thing, my own values might very well differ substantially from that of my countrymen. So, what I am not suggesting is that this map is THE TRUTH. It is rather meant here as a tool for self-reflection. It reminds me that none of us approach life objectively. What I onsider to be THE way (the solution is so obvious, after all!) might well just be MY way. What implication does this have for the way in which I do my work?
Believe me Pepijn, all of this does relate to your discussion! I might just need some more time to make the link...
In the meantime, rather than comment directly on what you said, I think I'll add something:
Your discussion made me think how, with all the talk of 'global village', we run the risk of underplaying the differences that still exist among us.
Something like the Inglehart Welzel Cultural Map of the World illustrates this well. This map plots countries that took part in the World Values Survey along two axes: 1) on one axis from most traditional values to most secular-rational values, and 2) on the other, from survival values to self-expression values.
I cannot explain all of it here - go check it out at http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/. If you are a development worker, specifically look at where your home country is and where you get your money from. Then look for the countries in which you operate. Take myself as an example: I am a South African, doing work on Tanzania, with funding from Norway (for instance).
Of course, there are many questions and critiques that could arise immediately. For one thing, my own values might very well differ substantially from that of my countrymen. So, what I am not suggesting is that this map is THE TRUTH. It is rather meant here as a tool for self-reflection. It reminds me that none of us approach life objectively. What I onsider to be THE way (the solution is so obvious, after all!) might well just be MY way. What implication does this have for the way in which I do my work?
Believe me Pepijn, all of this does relate to your discussion! I might just need some more time to make the link...
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