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Culture includes the set of values and institutions that enables a society
to develop and maintain its identity. Cultural signatures differ around
the globe and reflect, for instance, conflicting ideas about the worth
of economics as an integrating system of values or about the importance
of technology and technological change as springboards for human progress.
They also hinge on differing concepts of justice and fairness, and on
differing beliefs about the relationship between people and the natural
and spiritual world.
Recent history, particularly where racism, colonialism and genocide have
occurred, cannot be overlooked. Much has been said about the expansion
of Western culture to the detriment of others, about reactions to this
spread and about possible clashes of civilizations as a result. It is
clear that many individuals aspire to Western lifestyles, while others
see Western values permeating societies and associate them with selfish
individualism and excessive consumption. This spread is both a cause and
an effect of economic globalization, aided by the far-reaching penetration
of information technologies and electronic media. At the same time, there
have been clear signs of nationalist and religious reaction against it,
sometimes resulting in terrorist activities and in open warfare within
or between nations.
Among the four scenarios, Sustainability First assumes the largest
shift from current trends in terms of culture. The ascendance of the values
of solidarity, reciprocity, sufficiency and stewardship is at the heart
of this scenario. To the extent that these core values are not violated,
tolerance is also a key aspect of culture in this scenario. In Markets
First, little change in current trends is assumed. As befits the basic
notion of a market, the trend towards individualism accelerates, as does
a trend towards homogenization of culture. At the same time, so do passive
and active resistance by particular groups and regions. In Security
First, these and other trends lead to clashes that undermine many
elements of society. Policy First assumes a middle path between
Markets First and Sustainability First; efforts to encourage
some of the trends of the latter compete with tendencies to follow the
trends of the former.
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