Unique features and values ​​of American culture [Part 2]

Future “shock”: The title of the famous book by Alvin Toffler (1928-2016) can be used to describe Americans living in a state of “shock” due to the fast pace of life, struggling to keep up with events. Technology changes daily life like a storm (microwave ovens, videos, fax machines, computers... are popular).

The book "Future Shock" by author Alvin Toffler.

Optimism: Optimism governs the view of the future, tomorrow can only be better than today, if we know how to seize the opportunity. Personal progress leads to social progress. Strong economic growth, high living standards, more opportunities for success than elsewhere, relative social equality, all these conditions increase optimism. However, for some Americans, I find them quite pessimistic about unemployment, economic difficulties, foreign debts... Is this situation temporary or does it have a profound impact on the basic optimism of Americans?

Democracy: For Americans, democracy is not simply a principle of the minority obeying the majority, when this majority expresses its will through a representative system or even directly through a referendum. To avoid abuse of the majority principle, Americans seek to affirm by supreme law some basic principles, on the other hand, to provide some institutional mechanisms to monitor, regulate, and use powers (legislative, executive, judicial) to check each other at all levels.

Independent Mind: The cowboy, although increasingly rare in America, can characterize the American ideal in many ways: self-confident, adventurous, tough, manly, facing all dangers alone. The individual is the main decision maker. Children are trained to do everything for themselves. At 18, young people can live separately, cut off from their families. Young people must try to find their own housing, although their parents can help... The concept of personal "privacy" must be highly respected. From a young age, children are imbued with the awareness that each person's belongings, place of residence, and thoughts are separate and cannot be violated by anyone, including their parents.

Individualism and pluralism: The individual is given priority. It is not selfish, Americans believe that the individual has the task of succeeding to push society forward. Literary masterpieces that promote the rebellion of the individual include: Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1835-1910); Moby – Dick or The Whale by Herman Melville (1819 – 1891) … In America, individualism emphasizes the meaning: “Affirmation of human rights”. “Defending small cultural entities against large cultural entities”. It comes from the founding fathers who left their homeland to avoid oppression (after 1620).

Individualism goes hand in hand with pluralism: all ideas and tendencies can be expressed and implemented; opportunities are guaranteed for individual citizens, groups or localities. All sections of the people, religions, localities… must be respected.

Authority: America was founded after the British monarchy. This historical context left a way of thinking. Authority is respected on the basis of actual ability, not on title or age. Old people are often considered backward. In a society that changes too quickly, experience is not as valuable as in countries with stable traditional civilizations.

Puritan influence: Although society has shifted from rural to urban, many of the American traditions of the Puritan European immigrants (17th century) still hold sway: self-confidence, hard work, simple living, concern for personal conscience, and the view that starting a business and making a fortune are God's will (entrepreneurs are highly respected; old people still work to conform to Puritan ethics and to earn more money, not to retire).

Labor is the most highly valued virtue. Americans work like crazy. People are judged by the amount of wealth they acquire through their labor. This materialism is embedded in American culture.

Time is money: This is a typical American adage. Henry Ford, the auto king, is considered a hero because he invented the time-saving automobile assembly line. The supermarket is very American because it saves both money and time. Fast food is ready in a minute; McDonald's is very American. The daily schedule is arranged like a machine. Efficiency is the highest standard. Americans do not even have time to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

An unorganized society: In America, people always try to rise up; they are less dependent on their social groups, including their families. People are always dissatisfied with their position. An East German was very satisfied when he came to do business in America, because in America, you don't need to be a doctor to be respected, people don't care who your father is, if you have money, you can buy a Mercedes, buy a villa, and easily move up in class. Foreigners criticize Americans for being too materialistic, they don't see the full value of money as a symbol of personal success.

Public opinion: Although very personal, Americans place a high value on public opinion. Being liked by the public and by your friends is a sign of success. It takes a lot of time to get people to like you and support you.

Full of contradictions: List the characteristics of American culture and you will see many contradictions. There is freedom of thought and press, but readers are still not well informed. Rich people still sleep on the streets. Friendly but neighbors do not talk to each other. The land is the most fertile in the world but the food is not delicious. Although there are many machines and tools, life is not polite. Equality sometimes leads to mediocrity. Television has low popular content.

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