VALUES AMERICANS LIVE BY

Robert Coles

INTRODUCTION

Most Americans would find it difficult to clearly define what exactly the values ​​by which they live are. Many people simply never thought about it.

But even if they did, they would ultimately probably refuse to answer the question by directly listing such values. And the reason for this refusal will be a conviction that in itself is also a purely American value - the belief that each person is so unique that no single list of values ​​can be applied to everyone without exception or even to the absolute majority of fellow citizens.

And although Americans may consider themselves more unusual and unpredictable than they really are, it is still important that this is how they think about themselves. Thus, Americans believe that family, church and school have had only a minor influence on them. Each of them is sure that he “chose the values ​​with which he is going to live his own life.”

Despite this self-assessment, a foreign anthropologist, having observed Americans, would probably be able to compile a list of the common values ​​that guide the majority of members of American society. Moreover, the list of typically American values ​​would differ significantly from those values ​​held by residents of many other countries.

Washington staff international center For over thirty years, they have been introducing thousands of international visitors to life in the United States. And this allowed us to see our compatriots through the eyes of our visitors. We are confident that the values ​​listed in this booklet are shared by the vast majority of Americans.

Moreover, it can be said that if our foreign guests truly understood how deeply rooted in the American public life these 13 values, they would understand 95% of America's actions - actions that may seem strange, incomprehensible or incredible when a foreigner looks at them from the perspective of his society and his values.

Differences in human behavior or cultural differences only make sense when viewed through the core beliefs, perceptions and values ​​of that specific group. When you encounter an action or hear a statement in the United States that surprises you, try to imagine it as an expression of one of the values ​​listed in this booklet. For example, if you ask Americans how to get somewhere in their city, they will probably tell you in great detail how you can get there yourself, but won't even think to walk two blocks and just take you there. Foreigners sometimes consider this kind of behavior a sign of “unfriendly” Americans. We believe that the point here is in the concept of “help yourself” (the sixth value on our list) - it is so strong in Americans that they are absolutely sure: not a single adult wants to depend on another, even temporarily. And future-orientedness (the eighth value) leads Americans to believe that it is much more useful to teach you to find your own way in the future.

Before going directly to the list, it should also be noted that Americans consider all of these values ​​to be purely positive. They do not realize, for example, that people from many Third World countries perceive change (value 2) as something inherently negative or dangerous. In reality, all of these 13 American values ​​look both negative and undesirable to many people in the modern world. Therefore, it is not enough just to become familiar with these values. It is good to consider them, as far as possible, with an open mind, outside of the negative or pejorative context they may have in your own experience and national culture.

It is important to strongly emphasize that our goal is only to introduce you to the most important American values, and not at all about imposing them on you, our foreign guests. We couldn't achieve this goal even if we wanted to, and we don't want to. We simply want to help you understand the Americans with whom you are in any way connected in terms of their own value system, not yours.

L. Robert Coles

Executive Director, Washington International Center, Washington, DC, April 1984

1. Power over circumstances

Americans no longer believe in the power of DESTINY, viewing those who continue to do so as backward, primitive, or hopelessly naive. Being called a "fatalist" is just about the worst thing that can happen to you among Americans; to an American it means that the person is superstitious, lazy, and unwilling to take any responsibility or initiative to improve his circumstances.

In the United States it is considered normal and correct for Man to control nature, and not vice versa. In particular, Americans believe that each individual should be able to control everything in his environment that could potentially affect him. It is generally accepted that the problems a person has are not due to bad luck, but to a personal reluctance to arrange their life better. In addition, it is considered normal that everyone should first and foremost consider their own interests.

Most Americans would disagree that there are some things that are far beyond what people can control. The Americans literally went to the Moon because they did not want to reckon with the power of the Earth.

Americans feel that they are called, even forced, to do what 7/8 of the inhabitants of this planet would admit completely impossible.

2. Change

According to Americans, change is certainly good. Change is always associated with development, improvement, progress and growth.

However, many older and more traditional nations see change as a disruptive, destructive energy that must be avoided at all costs. More than change, such national communities value stability, continuity, tradition, a rich and ancient heritage - none of which is valued too highly in the United States.

These first two values—confidence that a person can handle anything and a belief in the benefits of change—along with the American belief in the benefits of hard work and the idea that each person has a responsibility to do the best he can in life, have helped Americans achieve much. It doesn't matter whether these beliefs are "true" - what matters is that Americans think and act as if they are true. And as a result, they make them true.

3. Time and its management

For any American, time is a value of utmost importance. It seems to foreigners that Americans are more interested in getting things done on time (according to a predetermined schedule) than in developing deep interpersonal relationships. For an American, following a schedule means planning everything in detail and then executing your plan exactly.

It may seem that most Americans are completely controlled by the little machines they wear on their wrists that can stop any lively discussion so that their owner can complete the next item on his schedule on time.

American language is full of references to time, making it clear how highly it is valued. Time can be “lasted”, “saved”, “filled”, it can be “saved”, “used”, “spent”, “wasted”, “lost”, “received”, “planned”, “given”, “make the most of it” and even “kill it.”

An overseas visitor will soon learn that in the United States it is considered very impolite to be late for a meeting - even by 10 minutes - past the scheduled time. (Whenever it is absolutely impossible to arrive on time, you should call and warn that you have been delayed by unforeseen circumstances and will be half an hour - or how much? - late.)

Time is so highly valued in America because if you consider it important, you will obviously achieve more than if you spend it wastefully. This philosophy has proven its benefits. American proverbs emphasize the importance of time and using it wisely, setting goals and sticking to them, even allocating time and energy so that the fruits of your labor can be enjoyed later. (This last idea is called "delayed gratification.")

4. Equality and equality

For Americans, equality is one of their most important values, so important that they even gave the concept a religious basis. They say that all men were "created equal." Most Americans believe that God does not care about people's intelligence, physical condition, or economic status. In secular terms, this belief has become the assertion that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Americans differ only in their ideas about how to translate this ideal into reality. However, virtually all of them agree that equality is an important civic and social goal. Americans' ideas about equality often make them almost eccentrics in the eyes of foreigners.

Most people understand this completely differently. For them, rank, status and power seem much more desirable, even if they themselves are at the very bottom of the social pyramid. To belong to ruling class and power seem to give people in other societies a sense of security and confidence. Outside the United States, people know from birth who they are and how they fit into the complex system called "society."

Many high-profile foreigners in the United States are offended by the way they are treated by service personnel (restaurant waiters, store clerks, taxi drivers, etc.). Americans, on the other hand, do not feel the need to show any special deference to those who stand above them in the social hierarchy, and, on the contrary, often treat people of lower status as if they were important persons. It is important for those traveling to the United States to understand that there is nothing offensive or disparaging about such an attitude towards status or position in society. You just have to be prepared for the fact that during his stay in our country, a high-ranking person will be treated exactly the same as anyone else.

5. Individualism and privacy

Individualism, the development of which is associated with Western world with the Renaissance and began at the end of the 15th century, found its most vivid expression in the United States of the 20th century. Here, each person is considered absolutely and incomprehensibly unique, that is, completely different from all other people and therefore especially precious and wonderful.

Americans' ideas about their individualism, both in thought and in action, are perhaps somewhat exaggerated. They do not like to be considered representatives of any homogeneous groups, no matter what those groups are. They can, of course, join - and do join - many groups, but they still consider themselves a little different, a little more unique, a little more special than other members of the same group. And they leave these groups as easily as they entered them.

The idea of ​​privacy as an extreme manifestation of individualism is perhaps even more difficult for foreigners to understand. Even the word “privacy” does not exist in many languages. If it exists, it probably has very negative connotations - loneliness or isolation from one or another social group. In the United States, privacy is considered not only a purely positive, but also an absolutely necessary, desirable and absolutely pleasant condition of life. It is quite possible to hear from an American: “If I don’t spend at least half an hour a day alone with myself, I will simply go crazy,” and he is truly convinced of this.

American individualism means that here you will encounter a wider range of opinions and absolute freedom to express them anytime, anywhere. Yet despite this wide range of personal opinions, almost all Americans ultimately vote for one of the two major political parties. This is what we meant when we said that Americans are more proud of their individualism than they actually practice it.

6. “Help yourself” concept

In the United States, only what a person has made himself is valued. Americans don't attach any importance to the fact that you were born into a rich family. (In the United States, this is referred to as "an accident of birth.") Americans are proud that they were born poor and, through their own efforts and hard work, climbed the difficult ladder of success to any level, that they achieved everything themselves. And, of course, it is the American social system that allows Americans to move up the social ladder with relative ease.

Take an English dictionary and look up difficult words with the prefix "self-". In the average dictionary there are more than a hundred words such as self-confidence (self-confidence), self-awareness, complacency, self-control, self-criticism, self-deception, self-defense, self-denial, self-discipline, self-esteem (self-esteem), self-expression, conceit, self-improvement, self-confidence, self-respect, self-restraint, self-sacrifice - the list goes on and on. Most of these words do not exist in other languages. This list is perhaps best sign of how seriously Americans take doing things for themselves. The “self-made man” is still an ideal in 20th century America.

7. Competition and free enterprise

Americans believe that competition brings out the best in people. They argue that it challenges a person, forces everyone to do their best. Consequently, the foreigner will see how competition is encouraged at home and at school, even for the youngest Americans. Very young children, for example, are encouraged to answer a question to which their classmates do not know the answer.

You personally may find competition quite unpleasant, especially if you come from a society that favors cooperation over competition. And many American Peace Corps volunteers working as teachers in various educational institutions in developing countries, the lack of competition in the class is very worrying. They very soon learn that what they thought was one of the universal human characteristics is in fact a purely American (or “Western”) value.

Placing a high value on competition, Americans invented a free enterprise economic system based on it. They are quite confident that an economy that encourages competition brings out the best in people, and that a society that encourages competition will make rapid progress. If you look for evidence that Americans most often welcome free enterprise, you will find it in all areas, even in such diverse areas as medicine, art, education, and sports.

8. Future-oriented

Believing in the future and valuing improvement, Americans believe that the future will force them to re-evaluate the past, and therefore they are largely unaware of the present. No matter how happy the present is, it often goes unnoticed - Americans are accustomed to hoping that the future will bring them even greater happiness. Therefore, almost all efforts are aimed at realizing this future. The present, at best, serves only as a precursor to later and more significant events that will gradually lead to something even more significant.

Because Americans have been taught (value #1) to believe that Man, not Fate, can and should control circumstances, they are excellent at planning and executing short-term projects. This skill, in turn, is the reason why Americans are invited to every corner of the earth to plan and carry out the miracles of which their determination is capable.

If you come from another culture—such as a traditional Muslim culture—where discussing or actively planning for the future is considered a futile or even sinful activity, you will have not only philosophical problems with this specifically American activity, but also religious objections. And yet you will have to learn to live with it, as all the Americans around you will look forward to the future and what it brings.

9. Action/work orientation

“Don’t just stand there,” says typical American advice, “do something!” This is usually said in crisis situations, although in some sense these words only express the cheerfulness of Americans, for whom action - any action - is better than inaction.

Americans typically plan and schedule an extremely active day. Any rest should be time-limited, planned, and intended only to “refresh” their ability to work harder and more productively after the respite ends. Americans believe that a relatively small part of life should be devoted to leisure. They believe that wasting time, sitting idle or sleeping on the move is a sin.

This absurd attitude towards life has given rise to many people known as "workaholics" or people who are so engrossed in their work that they constantly think about it and feel uneasy when they are not at work - even in the evenings or on weekends.

The workaholic syndrome, in turn, makes Americans completely identify with their profession. The first question from one American to another when meeting will be related to work: “What do you do?”, “Where do you work?” or “Who (what company) do you work for?”

And when such a person finally goes on vacation, even his vacation days will be carefully planned, very eventful and active.

America is perhaps one of the few countries in the world where there is every reason to talk about the “dignity of human labor,” meaning by this hard physical labor. In America, even corporate presidents engage in physical labor, without at all losing respect from other people, but, on the contrary, gaining it.

10. Ease

If there is a certain formality in relationships between people in your country, you will probably think that Americans are too informal, even disrespectful, with those in power. Americans are one of the most informal and laid-back peoples in the world.

One example of this ease: bosses in America often ask their employees to address them by name and even feel awkward when they are called "Mr."

Clothing is another area where American casualness is particularly noticeable, sometimes downright shocking. Coming, for example, to a symphony concert in a large American city, a person can today find among the theater audience people in blue jeans, without ties, and in short-sleeved shirts.

The ease is also visible in the greetings of the Americans. Instead of the formal “How are you?” Mostly it was an informal "Hello!" This is how they address both superiors and close friends.

If you are a high-ranking official in your country, this casualness will probably be quite unsettling at first. Americans, on the contrary, consider such ease as a compliment! And, of course, no one wants to offend you, so you should just accept it as a matter of course.

11. Directness, openness and honesty

Many other countries have developed subtle, sometimes very specific “rituals” that are used in cases where it is necessary to tell someone something unpleasant. Americans, however, have always preferred a direct approach to business. They usually tell the unpleasant truth straight to your face with complete honesty. If you come from a society where it is not common to talk directly about bad news or make unflattering comments, you may be shocked by the outspokenness of Americans.

If you come from a country where it is important to “save face,” rest assured, Americans are not trying to make you lose face with their frankness. It is important to understand that the American similar circumstances doesn't lose face. While you are in this country, adapting to its customs will be your task and yours alone. There is no way to soften the blow of such directness and openness if you are not used to it, except to tell yourself that life here follows different rules. In reality, Americans are demanding in every possible way from their compatriots more and more openness and directness. The numerous openness training programs that emerged in the United States in the late 1970s reflect this public sentiment well.

Americans see dishonesty and insincerity in anything but the most direct and open approach, and quickly lose confidence in anyone who prefers hints and omissions to direct statements. Anyone in the United States who would use an intermediary to communicate anything would be considered a manipulator and not worthy of trust.

12. Practicality and efficiency

Americans have a reputation for being realistic, practical and efficient. When discussing any major decision in the United States, practical considerations tend to take precedence. Americans themselves say that they are not too inclined to philosophize or theorize. If Americans were to admit that they have a philosophy, it would most likely be pragmatism.

Will this bring money? Will it pay off? What can I gain from this activity? These are the questions Americans typically ask themselves in their daily lives, not questions like: How aesthetically pleasing is this? Will it be pleasant? Will this advance knowledge?

This practical, pragmatic orientation has enabled Americans to produce more inventions than any other country in human history. It is the love of “practicality” that makes Americans prefer some professions to others. Government and economics, for example, are much more popular in the United States than philosophy and anthropology, and law and medicine are more highly valued than the arts.

The priority of practical issues is also manifested in the United States in the disdain for “emotional” and “subjective” assessments and the desire for “rational” and “objective” assessments. Americans always try to ensure that emotions have minimal influence on the decisions they make. They always judge a situation based on objective factors. The "empirical" approach to problem solving, popular among Americans, also reflects their practicality. This approach involves compiling a list of possible solutions to a given problem and then examining each one one by one to identify the most effective one possible.

13. Materialism and consumption

Foreigners often perceive Americans as more materialistic than Americans tend to think of themselves. Americans like to think that the material things they own are a natural advantage that comes through hard work and determination. This is a reward, they believe, that everyone else could receive if they were as hardworking and determined as the Americans themselves.

And yet, whatever you say, Americans are great materialists. This means that they value things and their acquisition much more than human contacts and their development.

480 rub. | 150 UAH | $7.5 ", MOUSEOFF, FGCOLOR, "#FFFFCC",BGCOLOR, "#393939");" onMouseOut="return nd();"> Dissertation - 480 RUR, delivery 10 minutes, around the clock, seven days a week and holidays

Kostyuchenko Tamara Yakovlevna. Value foundations of US culture: Dis. ...cand. cultural sciences: 24.00.01 Kemerovo, 2006 193 p. RSL OD, 61:06-24/47

Introduction

CHAPTER I. THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY: A VALUE APPROACH 13

1.1. The phenomenon of culture in American theoretical thought 13

1.2. Value as the basis of culture 34

CHAPTER II. VALUE-CONTENT ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN CULTURE 49

2.1. Basic groups of values ​​of American culture 49

2.1.1. Pioneer Values ​​64

2.1.2. American Self-Identity Values ​​82

2.1.3. Identification Values ​​in the American Community 92

2.2. Value priorities of Americans in the context of globalization 108

CHAPTER III. VALUE ASPECT OF AMERICAN CULTURAL FORMS 128

3.1. People's and elite form culture 139

3.2. Mass (popular) culture 152

CONCLUSION 169

REFERENCES 172

Introduction to the work

The relevance of research. The problem of interpreting culture in the value aspect runs as a cross-cutting theme throughout the history of American society, changing in the context of various specific historical conditions and acquiring particular urgency and independence during periods of fundamental changes in fundamental foundations.

The contradictory nature of ideas about the vector of development of American society and the main principles that form the basis of American values ​​is a stumbling block for different approaches and views on the social changes taking place in society.

Analysis of sociocultural dynamics within sociological research shows clearly that in the multifaceted manifestations of social life (be it politics, economics, ideology, and so on), the central basis for change is the transformation of value principles and views. Underestimation of this circumstance is fraught with misunderstanding of the strategic guidelines for US social development, and, as a result, reduces the heuristic potential of the study.

Values ​​are numerous and are expressed in different shapes- structural elements of culture. Positioning the thesis that forms can convey the same content in different ways, the study places emphasis on the essential, substantive side of cultural forms.

Of course, the temptation of historical parallels should not distract us from the main thing - the study of America as an independent original culture and consideration of its specific problems and development trends, its weaknesses and advantages, its birth and meteoric rise to power and fame, isolationism and claims to leadership, a combination of materialism and idealism.

Americans must choose between a cosmopolitanism that promotes ethnic and cultural identities and thus makes national identity less important; imperial ambitions aimed at establishing the universal character of American values ​​and the American way of life and, consequently, establishing its own world order, and commitment to a national culture with its spiritual and material independence, demonstrating the connection of personal and social identity - a culture that has always distinguished the United States from other communities.

How the country defines itself in the world community will determine whether Americans will be able to preserve the originality of their culture and the attractiveness of its value core.

The increasing intensity of international relations - economic, political, cultural, communication - contributes to the globalization of world social development. Global changes inevitably affect American society. They lead to a rethinking of ideas about its vital foundations, and, consequently, to a rethinking of the main values ​​and beliefs, thereby transforming the spiritual and moral image of modern American society.

This study is one of the first attempts in Russian science to systematically consider American values ​​as the basis of American culture in an anthropological and cultural key. The proposed description system determined the use of original American scientific literature and the selection of authentic theoretical and factual material that had not previously been studied in domestic science.

The study is limited thematically by the organizational aspect. Since it is dedicated to the system of American values, the chronological framework implies not only the reality of the past -

the period of formation and formation of the American state, but also the search for ways to solve the problem of values ​​in the present time, full of contradictions, and possible prospects for the development of American culture in the future - from the point of view of globalization processes that directly affect its foundations.

It is this approach to the value-content analysis of American culture that presupposes a fundamentally new understanding of existing theoretical and empirical material, taking into account, among other things, the self-identification of American culture, which allows us to achieve a more holistic vision of the development of American culture when analyzing its material and spiritual components.

The degree of development of the topic. The interdisciplinary specificity of the work requires careful attention to the results of the activities of various scientific schools. To expand and deepen the philosophical argumentation, it was necessary to turn to the generally accepted results of such philosophical movements as structuralism, neo-Kantianism, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, presented in the works of M. Weber, V. Windelband,

G. Rickert, E. Durkheim, A. Camus, C. Lévi-Strauss, F. Nietzsche, J-P. Sartre, N. Chomsky, M. Horkheimer.

Key cultural issues for this context touches on such topics as: cultural evolution, culture and civilization, cultural crisis, value orientations and behavior of social groups. It is presented in works of a philosophical, anthropological and sociological nature by I. Barbour, D. Bidney, F. Boas, J. Murdoch, E. Giddens, W. G. Goodenough, A. A. Kafanyi, R. Linton, B. Malinovsky, M. Mead, X. Ortega y Gasset, R. B. Parry, A. R. Radcliffe-Brown, A. de Tocqueville, A. Toynbee, L. White, Wissler, J. Feibleman, E. Hall, M Scheler, O. Spengler.

Achievements of humanistic thought in the study global problems modern times are pushing the boundaries of cultural studies. Fundamentally important for the conceptual design of this work were the basic works of scientists: R. Benedict, E. Giddens, K. Geertz, K. Kluckhohn, A. Kroeber, G. Keyserling, G. Lenk, J. Mead, T. Parsons, P. Sorokin, E. Fromm, M. Herskovits, N. A. Berdyaev, N. Danilevsky, N. O. Lossky, V. S. Solovyov.

In domestic humanitarian knowledge, there are two leading trends in the intensive process of searching for definitions in the interpretation of culture: axiological, rooted in the European philosophical tradition, and technological (functionalist), based on the traditions of North American cultural anthropology (works of A. I. Arnoldov, G. P. Vyzhletsov , P. S. Gurevich, Yu. N. Davydov, O. G. Drobnitsky, N. S. Zlobin, M. S. Kagan, L. N. Kogan, M. S. Markaryan, V. M. Mezhuev, E A. Orlova, N. S. Rozova, V. P. Tugarinova, V. A. Yadov, etc.).

The specification of cultural problems in the axiological aspect is determined by two circumstances: the connection between the genesis of American culture and the internal logic of its development with cardinal American values, on the one hand, and the specifics of the modern world and the multicultural characteristics of American society, on the other, which is reflected in the works of American scientists J. Adler, R. Bella, D. Boorstin, D. Kluegel, R. M. Kranden, J. Mashounis, J. Myrdal, M. Rokeach, J. Santayana, N. Smelser, R. Williams, W. Lloyd Warner, D. Farley, D. Ferrant, W. Haviland.

Speaking about the real socio-historical features of the American nation, one cannot help but recognize the uniqueness of its historically and spatially formed culture, the specific and contradictory nature of social connections, the diversity of cultural forms, values ​​that unite society, as emphasized by American

researchers J. T. Adams, S. Berkovich, O. Brocket, B. Barry, P. J. Buchanan, A. Wolf, G. Glaser, L. Cohen, M. Lerner, D. Riesman, F. Slator, J. Hunter, L. Levine, M. Hill, R. Hughes, M. Fishwick, A. Schlesinger.

The problem of values ​​and value orientations turns out to be central in the modern theoretical cultural and philosophical understanding of the processes occurring in American society, which is distinguished by its diversity cultural worlds. Consideration of the value issues of American culture has its own specifics not only from the point of view historical conditions its development, but also specifically in terms of global changes occurring in the world community, which is reflected in the works of such researchers as R. Inglehart, L. Milbrath, P. Ray, E. Toffler, S. Huntington, W. Harman, F. Fukuyama .

Analysis of the problem of values ​​must be carried out at two levels: fundamental - with the formulation of general, philosophical and anthropological approaches to accomplish practical social tasks, and applied - using methodological grounds for the subsequent projection of general theoretical principles onto reality.

The need for a value-based and content-based analysis of American culture led to the formulation of the main research problem, which is the need to identify the system-forming core that determines its integrity in the context of the real multiculturalism of American society.

Therefore, realizing the versatility of this study, it is natural to begin to analyze the problem of the values ​​of a particular community in the context of culture (concentrating and transmitting historical experience to generations, ensuring predictability), to trace the relationship between culture and values, considering American culture as a unique cultural space.

Object of study- American culture, patterns of its formation and development.

Subject of study- dynamics of American cultural values.

Target of this study is to identify generally significant, successive cultural values in modern American culture, formed in the process of socio-historical practice, rationally comprehended and being enduring, invariant and, in a certain sense, timeless, as well as consideration of the content side of the value hierarchy in the structural forms of American culture.

This goal is achieved by solving the following research tasks:

analyze the content of the concepts “culture” and “value”, limiting the search field to axiological and functional approaches;

identify the system of American values;

explore the mechanisms of value continuity;

consider the structural and functional forms of American culture as translators of value meanings;

argue the thesis that US culture can be considered as a single integral whole and as a unique cultural space.

Theoretical and methodological foundations of the study. To achieve the set objectives, the work uses typologization and hierarchization methods, the results of sociological research, the method of observation within the framework of the social manifestation of the phenomena under consideration, and content analysis when working with sources. The value-content analysis of American culture is complemented by a structural-functional approach.

Since this dissertation is an interdisciplinary study, its methodology includes comparative

historical, religious, cultural and political-sociological analysis. This nature of the work is due to the complexity of the phenomenon under study, located at the intersection of cultural and social spheres American society.

The general methodological basis of this work was the concept of culture as a value-semantic sphere of society, and values ​​as an expression of the human dimension of culture and public consciousness, the core in the structure of a social object, the internal core that models its self-identification.

The theoretical basis of the study was made up of the works of foreign and domestic scientists: cultural scientists, philosophers, anthropologists, political scientists, historians of the past and present.

Scientific novelty work is as follows:

1. It has been revealed and argued that cultural values
are formed on the basis of selection of certain types of behavior and experience
of people. Since the very history of society is essentially a cast of it
value systems, then the problem of preserving and transmitting norms, standards and
cultural values ​​become key to understanding the course
historical changes, and to preserve what the ethnic group does,
culture, society self-sufficient.

It has been established that American culture, having gone through a profound transformation of its social and spiritual structures over a relatively short historical period, has become significantly different from other Western European cultures. Each level of historical development contains information from the previous ones. The permeation of all their meanings gives integrity to the entire system of American values.

It is shown that American values ​​can be divided into groups that are coherent with the conventionally designated levels of historical development of the United States, but their dominance should be considered only taking into account the changing

sociocultural reality. All these values ​​are generally valid values, since they incorporate the most important ideas of people about the purpose of man and generally accepted cultural meanings and patterns, and are instrumental in their influence on the development of American society and determine the cultural policy of the United States. But, on the other hand, awareness of higher values ​​at the personal level can be individual.

4. It is argued that American society was created as
an alternative to traditional Old World society. From birth in
it retained significant critical potential, from time to time
manifested itself in various cultural forms, the analysis of which
historical traditions, hierarchies of meanings, the role of sociocultural
conditions for the development of American society, including cultural influence,
and value-normative attitudes social behavior Americans.

5. It is made explicit that the cultural-value core, due to
features of historical development allows us to conclude that
Today America is a unique cultural space. Eclectic, with
the points of view of others, historically more uniform different cultures, connection
views, theories and principles gives national uniform many
achievements, filling them with original content.

The following provisions are submitted for defense:

1. Identifying the specifics of culture is impossible without identifying its value nature in historical significant periods development of society. Values, cross-cutting, ethnically indifferent and temporally successive, are conditioned by a long history of formation and have an objective, vitally significant nature. Their historical ordering by importance in the form of a hierarchy, due to the dynamically directed equilibrium of the social system, expresses the implementation in time of the functional principles of human activity.

American society combines the ethics of choice with the eclecticism of traditions, ideas and opportunities, therefore the problem of analyzing value orientations in society should be considered in the light of cause-and-effect relationships. Tracing the semantic connections between all components of American culture allows us to conclude that there is a meaningful connection between them, therefore American culture should be considered as a single integral whole.

Each culture develops its own development algorithm, which directly depends on the characteristics of its cultural matrix. The cultural matrix is ​​constantly undergoing serious transformations, but, nevertheless, a complete change in value orientations and ideals in society does not occur, but only their dominance changes. A constructive attitude towards life guidelines, respect for tradition, the processes of cultural reproduction, and therefore the entire value system inherited from the past, is one of the main features of the thinking of modern Americans.

4. Forms and levels of involvement of various groups of society in
core culture, modern hierarchies of values, diverse
value dominants of individuals are linked into a single semantic chain with
forms and degrees of manifestation in modern American culture
value orientations in various structural components(cultural
forms). Subcultures - counterculture, folk, elite, mass -
are forms of individual and social activity that ensure
consolidation of American society, personal identity.

5. American culture is culturally distinctive.
a space that has non-specific, characteristic of some
value characteristics for a specific ethnic group, and the generally valid character
transmitted experience, immanently inherent in the entire value system
American culture. Such a positive experience ensures

the continuity of the American way of life as a self-sufficient and independent community.

Theoretical significance of the study First of all, the problem of preserving and transmitting cultural values ​​is key to understanding the course of historical and social changes, which are based on contradictions between values ​​and institutions. As part of these changes, new forms of culture arise or existing forms of culture develop. It is necessary to know the mechanisms of the genesis of these sociocultural phenomena, the reasons for their integration into existing structures, as well as how spontaneous this process is, whether it can be regulated and predicted.

Practical significance of the work is determined by the fact that it
provisions and conclusions can be used both in scientific
research, and in the process of teaching in the field of philosophical
anthropological, cultural, political science and

sociological issues. The work organizes and specifies a separate area of ​​ideas about culture, setting a picture of the development of American culture and analyzing the value aspect of its current state.

The phenomenon of culture in American theoretical thought

American Studies is a field in modern humanities that is open to interdisciplinary research and has a clearly expressed cultural orientation. As an institution of scientific specialization and cooperation for the purpose of a comprehensive study of North American civilization, American Studies began its formation in the United States in the post-war period.

The country's historical diversity of cultures, the ability to honor the full diversity of individuals (including collective ones) and the desire for mutual understanding are the deep force field of American culture. With all the diversity of its value and content meanings, the biggest problem is its transcoding. The danger of a superficial vision of American culture and the replacement of a keen interest in it with a purely consumer interest is obvious. “The “rediscovery” of America as a rich and diverse world, unlike ours, but understood only in relation to ours, is what is becoming relevant,” defines the task of developing the Russian school of American studies, Director of the Fulbright Humanities Summer School, Professor of Moscow State University T. Benediktova .

Culture as a cultural code is inherent in any fragment of social life, the substrate of which is human activity that has a value-normative nature. This is the source of all social

Benediktova, T. D. American Studies as communicative knowledge. Sat. Professionals for cooperation. Issue 1. Interregional public association of participants in scientific, cultural and educational programs cooperation with the USA “Professionals for Cooperation”. - M., 1997. - P. 195-203. relationships, institutions, artifacts, ranging from invariant norms of behavior to structurally organized ones.

These value-normative invariants - the real concentration and basis for the preservation of the human race - connect the past, present and future of the entire American culture. It is the axiological layer of culture that, under certain circumstances, has the ability to maintain the integrity of the cultural system. Therefore, before starting to analyze the mechanisms, patterns and conditions for the formation of cultural self-identity, it is necessary to reveal the content of the basic concept of “culture” and characterize those of its components that are the sphere of manifestation of the problem considered in the work.

Interest in culture as a factor of social development is unusually high. Researchers strive to identify the potential of culture, those spiritual aspects and socio-cultural characteristics that influence the socio-historical development of a given society and determine its socio-cultural dynamics. Based on the theoretical focus of the study, culture can be an object of study within the framework of anthropological, philosophical, sociological, historical, axiological and other approaches to this problem.3

Identifying the correlation of the concepts of culture and civilization as two interacting systems that have general and specific patterns is not included in the objectives of this study. However, in such an analysis, when considering the concept of culture, these two concepts inevitably collide:

Since the 18th century, numerous concepts have appeared based on definitions of levels of social development (A. Whitehead, A. Ferposon, W. Humboldt, G. Spencer, G. Rückert, E. Durkheim, A. Schopenhauer, F. Nietzsche).

F. Tennis in late XIX century formulated an idea of ​​​​the direction of evolution social organization from community (Gemeinschaft) to society (Gesellschaft) and identified two types accordingly social relations: communal, that is, relationships within general culture with their organic nature and rootedness in tradition, and public relations within the framework of civilization, having a completely rational structure. Having established that the development of social organization occurs from “community” to “society,” Tennis, on the basis of this, stated that social progress is associated with the loss of the cultural component of relations, the rupture of traditional ones. The problem of the unity of human culture has always been and remains an incentive for researchers to search for a model, not only explaining the similarities and differences between cultures, based on the characteristics of culturally determined human behavior, but also giving an idea of ​​the interaction of cultural elements. The American National School of Cultural Anthropology has accumulated vast experience not only in practical study, but also in theoretical understanding of culture as an integrating and self-organizing whole, in the formation of the concept cultural systems, descriptions of the development of culture as a basic and autonomous phenomenon of history.

Basic groups of values ​​of American culture

Any classification of values ​​is constructed taking into account both the variety of criteria for identifying values, as well as specific research tasks and the context of consideration of the problem. In the context of analyzing the stated problem, in our opinion, it is more important to define values ​​as factors that influence and dominate in the development of American society and determine its spirituality, to build a cultural-value model of American culture - a synthesis of its core - into a single hierarchy in statics and dynamics.

Speaking about the real socio-historical features of the American nation, one cannot help but recognize the uniqueness of its historically and spatially formed culture, the specific nature of the social ties that unite society.

The monolithic nature of American culture could have been created under the condition of the transmission of sociocultural predicates over generations, but this required time, which did not exist.

Meanwhile, this culture has become fundamentally different from all others, having gone through a profound transformation of its social and spiritual structures over a relatively short historical period.

In the 16th century, after Columbus discovered America, Europe began active colonization of the New World and, through colonists who often destroyed the local culture of the aborigines, spread its culture throughout North America.

Even before the narrow strip of colonies on the Atlantic coast achieved freedom and some degree of unity, the history of the frontier began - a chain of settlements continuously moving westward of the North American continent, marking the border of the territories developed by the Americans. Each new achievement in national self-awareness, in the power and well-being of already developed areas resonated with ever deeper penetration into unknown lands and opened up new horizons for the national imagination. The national character and spirit of the future state were formed precisely in these years filled with many events.

Counting from the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607 in Virginia, to the present day, the history of America spans almost four centuries.

Along with the revolution of the frontier, America experienced a grandiose industrial and capitalist revolution associated with it, as well as an equally important intellectual revolution.

American life, spreading horizontally, was simultaneously transformed vertically, with the dynamics of one direction feeding the other and vice versa, sometimes characterized by surprising inconsistency. American writer J. Steinbeck in his novel “East of Eden” presents a figurative picture of the colonization of California using the example of the Salinas Valley:

“This is what it was like, this Salinas Valley stretching between the mountains. As for her past, it was no different from the history of all of California. At first there were the Indians - a primitive people with no enterprise, no ingenuity, no culture - they fed on various worms, grasshoppers, snails and were so lazy that they did not engage in either hunting or fishing. They ate what they picked from the ground; they did not sow or plant anything. The flour was ground from bitter acorns. Even their wars were not wars, but some kind of tediousness with dancing.

Then the tough, dry Spaniards began to send their expeditions here: sober-minded and greedy, they craved gold and the mercy of God. They hunted both for treasures and for human souls. They took over mountains and valleys, rivers and entire regions, which was very similar to our contemporaries, who wrested for themselves the right to build up vast territories. These strong-willed, callous people tirelessly scurried along the California coast. Some of them settled on lands granted to them by the Spanish kings - the kings had no idea what these gifts were - and each such allotment was the size of a small principality. These first landowners lived in poor feudal settlements, their cattle grazing and multiplying at random. From time to time, the owners slaughtered livestock, took the skin and fat for their needs, and left the meat for vultures and coyotes.

And then the Americans came here, even more greedy, because there were more of them. They appropriated land and changed laws to better secure ownership. And farms - hamlets - scattered all over California, first in the valleys and then on the slopes of the mountains: log houses covered with red sequoia shingles and surrounded by a picket fence. A house was immediately built next to any stream, and the family that settled there began to be fruitful and multiply. Geraniums and roses were planted in the courtyards. In the place of the former paths there were cart ruts, and among the mustard thickets there were squares of fields sown with wheat, corn, and barley. On the beaten path, every ten miles there was a blacksmith shop or shop - it was these that laid the foundation for small towns like Bradley, King City, Greenfield.”

Folk and elite forms of culture

Understanding culture as a set of material and spiritual values ​​developed by society implies a clearly structured system of cultural ideals, which are the target causes cultural processes and give a person goals that he is trying to achieve and which he is trying to embody,

Considering examples of folk culture that do not lose relevance, do not become obsolete or go out of fashion, and samples elite culture with their fundamental closedness, spiritual aristocracy and value-semantic self-sufficiency as symbolic codes, one can evaluate the role of socio-cultural conditions for the development of American society, including cultural influence, historical traditions and value-normative guidelines for the social behavior of Americans.

The ability to be creative is not a monopoly of only the professionally trained individual. A person from the lower strata of society who has no special education, may have a poetic gift or the talent of a painter.

Speaking about such a manifestation of American folk culture as folklore, it would be fair to see its beginning in the folklore of the North American Indians, the indigenous inhabitants of the continent, who subsequently experienced a tragic era in their history.

Despite the dissimilarity of dialects and customs, they all understood well what place they occupied in the world, and the proud appearance of the Indian leader could not but inspire respect. It was not easy to survive in the harsh world that surrounded them. Therefore, a figurative, magical word was valued, which was intended to protect the Indian, help ward off misfortune, ensure a harvest and a long life.

Language of traditional Indian characters in funny and cautionary tales about cunning animals, patrons of the tribe (most often they were Coyote, Raven or Jay), in the historical legends of the Iroquois about the legendary leaders Deganavid and Hayonwat (Hiawatha), who united related tribes, reflects a special vision of the world and faith in the best in man and in the environment world: kindness and nobility (“The Parable of the Jumping Mouse” - from the folklore of the Hopi tribe).

The folklore of the Navajo tribe is permeated with deep religious feeling,

admiration and joy from the richness of life, faith in the Path of Beauty:

“And so I walk next to God speaking to me,

With goodness and beauty in everything that surrounds me, I go,

With goodness and beauty I follow into eternity,

Such as I am, I go.”156

Indian rhetoric still amazes with its expressiveness, which is clearly visible in the speech of Chief Seattle: “...There was a time when our people covered the earth just as the waves of the sea, driven by the wind, hide the bottom colored by shells. But too long ago this time has passed along with the greatness of the tribes, which has now become only a painful memory. The White Man will never be alone.... May he be fair and kind to my people. ...There is no death, there is only a change of worlds.”

As in any national history, in the history of America we will find many genuine heroes who were an ideal for ordinary Americans and became legends. But unlike European historical heroes, which were varnished for centuries, in the USA the heroes were separated not by time, but by distance: what happened yesterday became the past, and the hero himself had a pronounced regional character.

Mythologized heroes included John Chapman (better known as Johnny Appleseed), Daniel Boone, the brave hunter, Paul Bunyan, the almighty giant woodcutter, Davy Crocket, the braggart and rogue politician, uncontrollable as a tornado, Mike Fink.

Another type of national hero in American mythology includes prominent figures George Washington, and later Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln: "The idol of the new nation, the legendary Washington was a kind of anti-Crocket... no less than Crocket, a product of anarchism and the compression of historical time in the American sense." 159 Only Unlike Crockett, the images of these great figures of American history were impeccably pure, inviting and democratic.

Life of loved ones folk heroes, real and fictional, was a reflection of the time and the conditions in which the young nation lived and the value meanings that filled its life and justified the difficulties of the frontier era: love of freedom, the ability to work and look forward, romance, a sense of humor.

Interactive Talk to America shows featuring guest experts and radio listeners air Monday through Friday at 9 p.m. Moscow time. You can also listen to them recorded on our website after the broadcast.

Guest of the program - American political scientist Paul Goble, former adviser to the US Bureau of Foreign Broadcasting and special adviser to the US State Department on the USSR, now a visiting professor at the University of Tartu (Estonia) and columnist for the online analytical review of the Institute of World Policy “Window on Eurasia”.

Conducts the program Inna Dubinskaya.

"Voice of America": Today, “Talk to America” is dedicated to American values. Many of the ideals of American society are rooted in the history of the country and religion. For example, individualism, the belief that hard work can improve everyone's lot, and self-reliance are examples of traditional American values ​​from the time of the first settlers. Later, they were supplemented by the values ​​enshrined in the American Constitution, among them freedom, equality and democracy. In the 2004 presidential election, 80% of Americans who voted for George W. Bush said their primary motivation was values.

Do all Americans have the same values ​​for their society, or is it as diverse as America itself? To what extent do American ideals and beliefs shape the United States' position on the world stage?

Paul Goble: Americans are guided by many ideals in their lives. But it would be a mistake to assume that any political decision of the American state is a direct result of these ideals. The ideals of society are in development, like society itself. And any survey public opinion is just a snapshot of what people think today. Tomorrow their opinions may change. This applies to all countries.

"Voice of America": So, do US policies reflect traditional American values? Here's what Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings from Florida thinks about this: “I will say this: do not confuse the policies of the American government with the sentiments and beliefs of the American people.” Paul Goble, what do you have to say about this?

P.G.: I completely agree. Public policy is the product of many influences. Ideals and values ​​influence it, but there are other factors: what will be the reaction of the allies, whether the citizens of the country will support it, etc. Ideals are only one of the factors in choosing a political decision.

"Voice of America": I want to thank those who sent us congratulations on US Independence Day. Thank you, Rafkhat Gabitov, Oleg Shut, Sergey Zolotarev, Boris Babashin. Alexander Martynov even sent us poetry.

<Алексей (Беларусь)> : Allow me, and in your person, all US citizens, to congratulate you on the national holiday - Independence Day! I, an old rheumatic patient, am unable to rise to the heights of democracy that our respected radio listeners spoke about. Therefore, I will simply thank the creators of the “Talk to America” program for the unique opportunity to communicate on air on the most diverse and rich topics, to present often polar points of view and to be listened to. Today the Voice of America is the best of all Russian-speaking international programs. Its very existence testifies to the real presence of democracy in the United States of America. My wish is that at some point you would talk about the history of Talk to America.

The 19th-century French writer and politician Alexis de Tocqueville is responsible for one of the most comprehensive and timeless studies of the American phenomenon. In his two-volume work “Democracy in America,” written after two trips to the United States, Tocqueville argued that “American character” is something qualitatively new, having no analogues in the past. Since the United States was a democracy from the very beginning, it did not have to free itself from the yoke of a centuries-old monarchical tradition. Americans, as Tocqueville put it, imbibed the principles of equality and self-interest with their mother's milk. How does this manifest itself in people's behavior and character? And what, in your opinion, can be considered advantages and what are disadvantages characteristic of most Americans?

P.G.: Tocqueville understood Americans better than Americans understand themselves. People from another country sometimes see things that we do not see in our own country. Tocqueville understood some very important aspects of American life. But there are many other aspects that it did not cover.

<Алтай (Казахстан)> : Can the US President steal petrodollars, as President Nazarbayev does? And the second question: do American values ​​include the right to private ownership of the means of production?

P.G.: The President of the United States does not receive money from the sale of oil, as well as from other transactions. Unfortunately, this happens in other countries. Fortunately, according to American law, this is absolutely impossible.

As for the right to private property, this is one of the most important aspects of legislation and even the American Constitution. Unfortunately, in many countries this right is not enshrined in law, and people do not know what belongs to them and what belongs to others. But without this knowledge it is absolutely impossible to be a citizen.

<Артур (Москва)> : I want to join those who congratulated you on this wonderful holiday. America is one of those few cases, perhaps the only one, when people gathered in young colonies decided, despite their differences, to create a self-sufficient nation, a self-sufficient state, which later became the pillar of world civilization and its leading engine. By its example, America encouraged other nations to create democracy and build a system of government that was established in the United States. Why is America sometimes accused of watching the development of democracy in other countries and expecting them to follow the American model?

P.G.: There are many models of democracy. Two hundred years ago, Americans borrowed from different models. These were England, France, the ancient world. This will continue to be the case in the future: new democracies will take elements from different democracies. Our model may not work for everyone. Of course, there are useful aspects of American history that can be useful to other countries, but it is impossible to imagine that the American model can be adopted without modification. For example, in Kazakhstan, Russia and so on.

<Николай (Кривой Рог)> : The American coat of arms depicts an eagle with outstretched wings holding an olive branch. The inscription on the ribbon: “United in diversity.” How should we understand it?

P.G.: The inscription “E pluribus unum” means that we came here from different countries, but have become one nation. She is a symbol of the fact that now and in the future we can work together.

<Мария (Новосибирск)> : I want to congratulate the people of America on this great holiday. The high standards of democracy in your country are known throughout the world. It is no coincidence that you have created such organizations as Amnesty International and the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, whose branches now work all over the world, supporting people’s faith in justice. It is important for ordinary people to know that their rights can be protected. Americans can also be an example in that they know and respect their constitution and know their rights. Happy holiday again. Thank you!

"Voice of America": American philosopher and political scientist Samuel Huntington in his book “Who Are We?” (Who Are We?) expressed the opinion that the United States is approaching its own internal “clash of civilizations” because, for example, the majority of the Spanish-speaking population of the United States does not strive to assimilate the Anglo-Protestant values ​​that are one of the foundations of American society. Huntington and others say that in order for a host society to survive and thrive, a necessary condition is the acceptance by immigrants of the basic values ​​of this society. Do you agree with this opinion? Do you see a threat to traditional American values ​​from the new wave of immigrants? Is the concept of the "melting pot" still applicable to American society?

Here is what Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings from Florida said about this: “There is an opinion that many of the views and values ​​of the former USSR are largely unacceptable. However, in the United States, citizens of Russia are not looked down upon, any more than they are citizens of Bulgaria, Romania, Poland or Ukraine, because Americans of Russian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Polish and Ukrainian origin live in our country.”

Meanwhile, according to 2005 Pew Research Center data, 50% of Americans believe that immigrants contribute to American culture, and 40% said they threaten it and do not accept American values. Paul Goble, what do you think about this?

P.G.: We are all immigrants here. One hundred and fifty years ago, many Americans considered it impossible to include the Italians or Irish in our society; fifteen years ago, the Japanese. The benefits of immigrants consistently outweigh the problems they create. The ideas proposed by Huntington are not new. They existed 300 years ago, 50 years ago, they exist today and, unfortunately, they will remain for another hundred years. My ancestors came from England almost 400 years ago. But I still consider myself an immigrant and I'm proud of it. I'm sure almost all Americans think so.

<Владислав (Минск)> : In Belarus, July 3 was celebrated as Independence Day, established in honor of the day of Belarus' liberation from Nazi occupation in 1944. In fact, we should celebrate March 25: on this day in 1918, the independent Belarusian People's Republic was proclaimed. In 1990, on July 27, this independence was renewed. Lukashenko subsequently canceled this holiday. My question is: What do the stripes on the American flag mean?

P.G.: The stripes symbolize historically the first 13 states. And the stars symbolize the number of states today. There are 50 of them on the flag.

"Voice of America": Let's return to Tocqueville, who later in his book notes religious the motivation of America's early legislators and their increased attention to criminal law. “When compiling this set of criminal laws,” he writes, “legislators were concerned primarily with the need to maintain morality and integrity in society.”

Priority of religious and moral values also recognized by all outstanding figures of America. Here famous words George Washington: “Many roads lead to wealth and prosperity, but on each of them you will have only faith and morals to support you.” John Adams spoke in the same spirit: “Our Constitution was made only for the religious and moral people, for everyone else it is unsuitable.”

It is known that the Republican administration and Republican legislators rely on the support of the conservative Christian population of America. What role do Christian values ​​play in modern American society? To what extent do Christian values ​​influence US domestic and foreign policy? (Reference: The vast majority of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, share the view that religion is important (Pew Research Center, 2005).

P.G.: Religion influences American society in two opposing ways. Through religion, we believe in the opportunity and responsibility to help other peoples find our values. But, on the other hand, many Americans believe that such a desire is contrary to religion, since it deals not with this earthly world, but with another world... Americans are a very religious people, but they draw very different conclusions from their religious views. It was a mistake to believe that Washington's policy is directly related to religion and is dictated by certain religious ideas.

<Давид (Германия)> : I would like to wish you a happy launch and return of the Discovery. Now the question. Since September 11, 2001, America has fought Islamic extremism and terrorism on behalf of the world. The United States is making efforts to democratize the Middle East, but in Iraq its efforts have been met with terror organized by the Sunni minority. Paul Goble, can you see the light at the end of the Iraq tunnel?

P.G.: It will be very difficult for America to create a new Iraq on its own. In my opinion, this must ultimately be done by the Iraqis themselves. The Iraqi people are interested in living in democracy, and their role in establishing a new order should be the main one.

<Богдан (Полтавская область)> : I join in the congratulations and wishes on the occasion of Independence Day! I believe that every living being has nothing more valuable than freedom. But you need to be able to use freedom. In Ukraine, under the authoritarian regime of Kuchma, one of the most democratic constitutions was adopted, and good laws were adopted. But for some reason they didn't work. The same situation is in Russia now. How do you explain this phenomenon?

P.G.: You are absolutely right, the principle of freedom is very important, but for its implementation in practice, traditions of life in conditions of freedom are needed. There are such traditions in America, but the process of “teaching democracy” and education in this direction continues even today...

"Voice of America": A survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found that 79% of US residents believe in the benefits of spreading American ideas and moral values ​​around the world. What is this, American nationalism? Do you think such trends, which are likely reflected in the US foreign policy of the Bush administration, are one of the factors influencing the deterioration of the US image abroad?

P.G.: Unfortunately, America's image in many countries today is not very good. But those we call anti-Americans tend to hate us not for our ideals, but for our actions. They do not always agree with our policies and believe that they contradict our values, that America sometimes does not act like America...

<Анвар (Узбекистан)> : We are proud of the great achievements of America, the greatest of which was that in the very first years of its existence it triumphed over ignorance. Thomas Jefferson believed that ignorance is main enemy freedom and democracy. My question: in previous years, we associated America with such initiatives as the Peace Corps, with people who helped different peoples and brought them enlightenment. Will this tradition continue in the future?

P.G.: You are right, the Peace Corps is a very important and useful organization. And I, like you, am in favor of more young Americans working in Uzbekistan and other countries of the former USSR. I was very glad to hear you mention our third President Jefferson and to see that US Presidents continue to influence the people of other countries.

"Voice of America": Congressman Hastings says: “There are many problems that have serious consequences for all of us. In particular, how we will solve issues of healthcare, energy, children's upbringing and education. In this regard, our democratic gains and freedoms require that we overcome prejudices, prejudices and hostilities, show greater tolerance towards each other, and that we take more time to better know and understand cultures, religions and systems of government different from our own " Your comment, Paul Goble?

P.G.: I agree with the congressman: we have much more that unites us than what divides us.

Below is the full text of the article by American historian L. Robert Coles, “The Values ​​By Which Americans Live.” The article was written by him in April 1984, when he was executive director of the Washington International Center.
It may be interesting in terms of discussions about the future of Russian-American relations. Is there anything in common between Russian and American society in terms of their values? The answer to this question determines not so much the tactics as the strategy of relations between the two states. How significant are the differences in the “mentality” of our peoples? It is clear that president-elect USA Donald Trump is a product of American culture, the core of which is precisely values.
The content of the article may raise other questions.Do Americans really live by the values ​​Kohls listed? Does the US political elite share these values? Is Kohls' article scientific or propaganda?
As usual, I will not express my opinion on the questions raised until I see the comments from readers. The only thing I can say is that what confuses me is that there are exactly 13 of these values.

“Most Americans would find it difficult to clearly define what exactly the values ​​by which they live are. Many people simply never thought about it.
But even if they did, they would ultimately probably refuse to answer the question by directly listing such values. And the reason for this refusal will be a conviction that in itself is also a purely American value - the belief that each person is so unique that no single list of values ​​can be applied to everyone without exception or even to the absolute majority of fellow citizens.
And although Americans may consider themselves more unusual and unpredictable than they really are, it is still important that this is how they think about themselves. Thus, Americans believe that family, church and school have had only a minor influence on them. Each of them is sure that he “chose the values ​​with which he is going to live his own life.”
Despite this self-assessment, a foreign anthropologist, having observed Americans, would probably be able to compile a list of the common values ​​that guide the majority of members of American society. Moreover, the list of typically American values ​​would differ significantly from those values ​​held by residents of many other countries.
Washington International Center staff have been introducing thousands of international visitors to life in the United States for more than thirty years. And this allowed us to see our compatriots through the eyes of our visitors. We are confident that the values ​​listed in this booklet are shared by the vast majority of Americans.
Moreover, it can be said that if our foreign visitors truly understood how deeply ingrained these 13 values ​​are in American public life, they would understand 95% of America's actions - actions that may seem strange, incomprehensible or unbelievable when a foreigner looks at them from the perspective of their society and their values.
Differences in human behavior or cultural differences only make sense when viewed through the core beliefs, perceptions and values ​​of that specific group. When you encounter an action or hear a statement in the United States that surprises you, try to imagine it as an expression of one of the values ​​listed in this booklet. For example, if you ask Americans how to get somewhere in their city, they will probably tell you in great detail how you can get there yourself, but won't even think to walk two blocks and just take you there. Foreigners sometimes consider this kind of behavior a sign of “unfriendly” Americans. We believe that the point here is in the concept of “help yourself” (the sixth value on our list) - it is so strong in Americans that they are absolutely sure: not a single adult wants to depend on another, even temporarily. And future-orientedness (the eighth value) leads Americans to believe that it is much more useful to teach you to find your own way in the future.
Before going directly to the list, it should also be noted that Americans consider all of these values ​​to be purely positive. They do not realize, for example, that people from many Third World countries perceive change (value 2) as something inherently negative or dangerous. In reality, all of these 13 American values ​​look both negative and undesirable to many people in the modern world. Therefore, it is not enough just to become familiar with these values. It is good to consider them, as far as possible, with an open mind, outside of the negative or pejorative context they may have in your own experience and national culture.
It is important to emphatically emphasize that our goal is only to introduce you to the most important American values, and not to impose them on you, our foreign guests. We couldn't achieve this goal even if we wanted to, and we don't want to. We simply want to help you understand the Americans with whom you are in any way connected in terms of their own value system, not yours.
1. Power over circumstances
Americans no longer believe in the power of DESTINY, viewing those who continue to do so as backward, primitive, or hopelessly naive. To be called a "fatalist" is just about the worst thing that can happen to you among Americans; to an American it means that the person is superstitious, lazy, and unwilling to take any responsibility or initiative to improve his circumstances.
In the United States it is considered normal and correct for Man to control nature, and not vice versa. In particular, Americans believe that each individual should be able to control everything in his environment that could potentially affect him. It is generally accepted that the problems a person has are not due to bad luck, but to a personal reluctance to arrange their life better. In addition, it is considered normal that everyone should first and foremost consider their own interests.
Most Americans would disagree that there are some things that are far beyond what people can control. The Americans literally went to the Moon because they did not want to reckon with the power of the Earth.
Americans feel that they are called upon, even forced, to do what 7/8 of the inhabitants of this planet would recognize as completely impossible.
2. Change
According to Americans, change is certainly good. Change is always associated with development, improvement, progress and growth.
However, many older and more traditional nations see change as a disruptive, destructive energy that must be avoided at all costs. More than change, such national communities value stability, continuity, tradition, a rich and ancient heritage - none of which is valued too highly in the United States.
These first two values ​​- the belief that one can handle anything and the belief in the benefits of change - together with the American belief in the benefits of hard work and the consciousness that each person has a responsibility to do the best he can in life, have helped Americans achieve much. It doesn't matter whether these beliefs are "true" - what matters is that Americans think and act as if they are true. And as a result, they make them true.
3. Time and its management
For any American, time is a value of utmost importance. It seems to foreigners that Americans are more interested in getting things done on time (according to a predetermined schedule) than in developing deep interpersonal relationships. For an American, following a schedule means planning everything in detail and then executing your plan exactly.
It may seem that most Americans are completely controlled by the little machines they wear on their wrists that can stop any lively discussion so that their owner can complete the next item on his schedule on time.
American language is full of references to time, making it clear how highly it is valued. Time can be “lasted”, “saved”, “filled”, it can be “saved”, “used”, “spent”, “wasted”, “lost”, “received”, “planned”, “given”, “make the most of it” and even “kill it.”
An overseas visitor will soon learn that in the United States it is considered very impolite to be late for an appointment—even by 10 minutes—against the scheduled time. (Whenever it is absolutely impossible to arrive on time, you should call and warn that you have been delayed by unforeseen circumstances and will be half an hour - or how much? - late.)
Time is so highly valued in America because if you consider it important, you will obviously achieve more than if you spend it wastefully. This philosophy has proven its benefits. American proverbs emphasize the importance of time and using it wisely, setting goals and sticking to them, even allocating time and energy so that the fruits of your labor can be enjoyed later. (This last idea is called "delayed gratification.")
4. Equality and equality
Equality for Americans is one of their most important values, so important that they even gave the concept a religious basis. They say that all men were "created equal." Most Americans believe that God does not care about people's intelligence, physical condition, or economic status. In secular terms, this belief has become the assertion that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Americans differ only in their ideas about how to translate this ideal into reality. However, virtually all of them agree that equality is an important civic and social goal. Americans' ideas about equality often make them almost eccentrics in the eyes of foreigners.
Most people understand this completely differently. For them, rank, status and power seem much more desirable, even if they themselves are at the very bottom of the social pyramid. Being part of the ruling class and having power seems to give people in other societies a sense of security and confidence. Outside the United States, people know from birth who they are and how they fit into the complex system called "society."
Many high-profile foreigners in the United States are offended by the way they are treated by service personnel (restaurant waiters, store clerks, taxi drivers, etc.). Americans, on the other hand, do not feel the need to show any special deference to those who stand above them in the social hierarchy, and, on the contrary, often treat people of lower status as if they were important persons. It is important for those traveling to the United States to understand that there is nothing offensive or disparaging about such an attitude towards status or position in society. You just have to be prepared for the fact that during his stay in our country, a high-ranking person will be treated exactly the same as anyone else.
5. Individualism and privacy
Individualism, the development of which in the Western world is associated with the Renaissance and began at the end of the 15th century, found its most vivid expression in the United States of the 20th century. Here, each person is considered absolutely and incomprehensibly unique, that is, completely different from all other people and therefore especially precious and wonderful.
Americans' ideas about their individualism - both in thought and in action - are perhaps somewhat exaggerated. They do not like to be considered representatives of any homogeneous groups, no matter what those groups are. They can, of course, join - and do join - many groups, but they still consider themselves a little different, a little more unique, a little more special than other members of the same group. And they leave these groups as easily as they entered them.
The idea of ​​privacy as an extreme manifestation of individualism is perhaps even more difficult for foreigners to understand. Even such a word - "privacy" - does not exist in many languages. If it exists, it probably has very negative connotations - loneliness or isolation from one or another social group. In the United States, privacy is considered not only a purely positive, but also an absolutely necessary, desirable and absolutely pleasant condition of life. It is quite possible to hear from an American: “If I don’t spend at least half an hour a day alone with myself, I will simply go crazy,” and he is truly convinced of this.
American individualism means that here you will encounter a wider range of opinions and absolute freedom to express them anytime, anywhere. Yet despite this wide range of personal opinions, almost all Americans ultimately vote for one of the two major political parties. This is what we meant when we said that Americans are more proud of their individualism than they actually practice it.

6. “Help yourself” concept
In the United States, only what a person has made himself is valued. Americans don't attach any importance to the fact that you were born into a rich family. (In the United States, this is referred to as "an accident of birth.") Americans are proud of the fact that they were born poor and, through their own effort and hard work, climbed the difficult ladder of success to any level, that they were self-made. And, of course, it is the American social system that allows Americans to move up the social ladder with relative ease.
Take an English dictionary and look up difficult words with the prefix "self-". In the average dictionary there are more than a hundred words such as self-confidence (self-confidence), self-awareness, complacency, self-control, self-criticism, self-deception, self-defense, self-denial, self-discipline, self-esteem (self-esteem), self-expression, conceit, self-improvement, self-confidence, self-respect, self-restraint, self-sacrifice - the list goes on and on. Most of these words do not exist in other languages. This list is perhaps the best indication of how seriously Americans take doing things for themselves. The “self-made man” is still an ideal in 20th century America.
7. Competition and free enterprise
Americans believe that competition brings out the best in people. They argue that it challenges a person, forces everyone to do their best. Consequently, the foreigner will see how competition is encouraged at home and at school, even for the youngest Americans. Very young children, for example, are encouraged to answer a question to which their classmates do not know the answer.
You personally may find competition quite unpleasant, especially if you come from a society that favors cooperation over competition. And for many American Peace Corps volunteers teaching in various educational institutions in developing countries, the lack of competition in the classroom is a major concern. They very soon learn that what they thought was one of the universal human characteristics is in fact a purely American (or “Western”) value.
Placing a high value on competition, Americans invented a free enterprise economic system based on it. They are quite confident that an economy that encourages competition brings out the best in people, and that a society that encourages competition will make rapid progress. If you look for evidence that Americans most often welcome free enterprise, you will find it in all areas, even in such diverse areas as medicine, art, education, and sports.
8. Future-oriented
Believing in the future and valuing improvement, Americans believe that the future will force them to re-evaluate the past, and therefore they are largely unaware of the present. No matter how happy the present is, it often goes unnoticed - Americans are accustomed to hoping that the future will bring them even greater happiness. Therefore, almost all efforts are aimed at realizing this future. The present, at best, serves only as a precursor to later and more significant events that will gradually lead to something even more significant.
Because Americans have been taught (value #1) to believe that Man, not Fate, can and should control circumstances, they are excellent at planning and executing short-term projects. This skill, in turn, is the reason why Americans are invited to every corner of the earth to plan and carry out the miracles of which their determination is capable.
If you come from another culture - such as a traditional Muslim one - where discussing or actively planning for the future is considered a futile or even sinful activity, you will have not only philosophical problems with this specifically American activity, but also religious objections. And yet you will have to learn to live with it, as all the Americans around you will look forward to the future and what it brings.
9. Action/work orientation
“Don’t just stand there,” says typical American advice, “do something!” This is usually said in crisis situations, although in a sense these words only express the cheerfulness of Americans, for whom action - any action - is better than inaction.
Americans typically plan and schedule an extremely active day. Any rest should be time-limited, planned, and intended only to “refresh” their ability to work harder and more productively after the respite ends. Americans believe that a relatively small part of life should be devoted to leisure. They believe that wasting time, sitting idle or sleeping on the move is a sin.
This absurd attitude towards life has given rise to many people known as "workaholics" or people who are so engrossed in their work that they constantly think about it and feel uneasy when they are not at work - even in the evenings or on weekends.
The workaholic syndrome, in turn, makes Americans completely identify with their profession. The first question from one American to another when meeting will be related to work: “What do you do?”, “Where do you work?” or “Who (what company) do you work for?”
And when such a person finally goes on vacation, even his vacation days will be carefully planned, very eventful and active.
America is perhaps one of the few countries in the world where there is every reason to talk about the “dignity of human labor,” meaning by this hard physical labor. In America, even corporate presidents engage in physical labor from time to time, without losing respect from other people, but, on the contrary, gaining it.
10. Ease
If there is a certain formality in relationships between people in your country, you will probably think that Americans are too informal, even disrespectful, with those in power. Americans are one of the most informal and laid-back peoples in the world.
One example of this ease: bosses in America often ask their employees to address them by name and even feel awkward when they are called "Mr."
Clothing is another area where American casualness is particularly noticeable, sometimes downright shocking. Coming, for example, to a symphony concert in a large American city, a person can today find among the theater audience people in blue jeans, without ties, and in short-sleeved shirts.
The ease is also visible in the greetings of the Americans. Instead of the formal “How are you?” Mostly it was an informal "Hello!" This is how they address both superiors and close friends.
If you are a high-ranking official in your country, this casualness will probably be quite unsettling at first. Americans, on the contrary, consider such ease as a compliment! And, of course, no one wants to offend you, so you should just accept it as a matter of course.
11. Directness, openness and honesty
Many other countries have developed subtle, sometimes very specific “rituals” that are used in cases where it is necessary to tell someone something unpleasant. Americans, however, have always preferred a direct approach to business. They usually tell the unpleasant truth straight to your face with complete honesty. If you come from a society where it is not common to talk directly about bad news or make unflattering comments, you may be shocked by the outspokenness of Americans.
If you come from a country where it is important to “save face,” rest assured, Americans are not trying to make you lose face with their directness. It is important to understand that an American does not lose face in such circumstances. While you are in this country, adapting to its customs will be your task and yours alone. There is no way to soften the blow of such directness and openness if you are not accustomed to it, except to tell yourself that life here follows different rules. In reality, Americans are demanding in every possible way from their compatriots more and more openness and directness. The numerous openness training programs that emerged in the United States in the late 1970s reflect this public sentiment well.
Americans see dishonesty and insincerity in anything but the most direct and open approach, and quickly lose confidence in anyone who prefers hints and omissions to direct statements. Anyone in the United States who would use an intermediary to communicate anything would be considered a manipulator and not worthy of trust.
12. Practicality and efficiency
Americans have a reputation for being realistic, practical and efficient. When discussing any major decision in the United States, practical considerations tend to take precedence. Americans themselves say that they are not too inclined to philosophize or theorize. If Americans were to admit that they have a philosophy, it would most likely be pragmatism.
Will this bring money? Will it pay off? What can I gain from this activity? These are the questions Americans typically ask themselves in their daily lives, not questions like: How aesthetically pleasing is this? Will it be pleasant? Will this advance knowledge?
This practical, pragmatic orientation has enabled Americans to produce more inventions than any other country in human history. It is the love of “practicality” that makes Americans prefer some professions to others. Government and economics, for example, are much more popular in the United States than philosophy and anthropology, and law and medicine are more highly valued than the arts.
The priority of practical issues is also manifested in the United States in the disdain for “emotional” and “subjective” assessments and the desire for “rational” and “objective” assessments. Americans always try to ensure that emotions have minimal influence on the decisions they make. They always judge a situation based on objective factors. The "empirical" approach to problem solving, popular among Americans, also reflects their practicality. This approach involves compiling a list of possible solutions to a given problem and then examining each one one by one to identify the most effective one possible.
13. Materialism and consumption
Foreigners often perceive Americans as more materialistic than Americans tend to think of themselves. Americans like to think that the material things they own are a natural advantage that comes through hard work and determination. This is a reward, they believe, that everyone else could receive if they were as hardworking and determined as the Americans themselves.
And yet, whatever you say, Americans are great materialists. This means that they value things and their acquisition much more than human contacts and their development.”

Gary R. Weaver, Ph.D.

Winter 1997, vol. 14, pp. 14-20.
The revised edition was published in the journal Kokusai Bunka Kenshu (Cultural Exchange Training),

Special Issue, 1999, pp. 9-15.

To understand the political, economic, social and even personal motives of behavior of any group of people, we first need to become familiar with the prevailing and fundamental cultural values ​​of these people, transmitted from generation to generation in the process of cognition. If you are not familiar with the fundamental principles of American culture, you will never be able to understand Americans.

Culture is like an iceberg. Its top is only the smallest part. The bulk is hidden under water. This is equally true for culture. Visible part- human behavior - constitutes the smallest share of total cultural traditions nation. This is its outer shell, and the main part, the internal culture, is below the level of evidence (the underwater part). It's in people's heads.

Internal culture should be understood as a way of thinking and perception. First of all, such a culture implies values ​​and beliefs learned on a subconscious level by a person who grew up in a certain cultural environment. Such values ​​and beliefs determine the basis of human behavior.

BEHAVIOR

BELIEFS

VALUES AND TENDENCIES OF THINKING

Culture is like an iceberg - the bulk is under water

BEHAVIOR

BELIEFS

VALUES AND TENDENCIES OF THINKING

The picture depicts two “cultural icebergs” approaching each other, just as people from different cultures can approach each other. Please note that the largest part of a person’s culture is internal culture, that which is below the level of evidence.

After two icebergs collide, most people will notice a difference in behavior. They may overemphasize details such as greeting others incorrectly or wearing inappropriate clothing. Errors at this level of culture are relatively small. Most people expect people from another culture to make mistakes at a behavioral level. On the other hand, a true clash of cultures occurs at the subconscious, internal cultural level, based on fundamental cultural values.

When internal cultures collide, we begin to understand more clearly the differences and similarities of cultural values. Moreover, understanding internal culture, especially fundamental values, allows us to develop a system for analyzing and interpreting behavior.

The United States of America is not a melting pot.

Many people believe that the United States of America is a mixture of many different cultures with no underlying or predominant culture. The “melting pot” metaphor has become commonplace. People arriving in America from all over the globe bring their culture here and “dump” it into the “American cauldron.” The mixture is shaken and heated until a cultural alloy is formed.

There is some grain of truth in this. American society is culturally diverse. However, an underlying culture does exist, and immigrants become part of it, sacrificing individual differences in order to adapt to existence within the prevailing culture of society. A more accurate historical metaphor would be a cultural "stamping machine", using the "template" or "mold" of a white male of Anglo-Saxon origin and Protestant denomination.

In the early 1900s, a Catholic German immigrant could learn English and blend into the Protestant population. He could change his German name in a typically Anglo-Saxon way - Wilhelm Schmidt became William Smith or simply Bill Smith. People who fit the standard cultural mold achieved success more easily and faster than those who could not adapt. Even today, the most prosperous of the Arab immigrants are Libyan Christians. Being Christians, in contrast to the Muslim majority of the Arab diaspora, they adapted much more quickly to the prevailing American culture.

American Indians, as well as Mexican and African Americans, did not fit the mold. No matter how hard they tried to behave like white Anglo-Saxon Protestants, they could not change their skin color or hair texture. Even if they spoke impeccable English and understood fundamental values ​​and principles of behavior, the otherness of people of races other than white was obvious, and they were easily excluded from the prevailing culture.
Americans are not Europeans.

Some people believe that the United States of America is just another country with European culture. However, the first immigrants to America in large groups, were “atypical” Europeans. Many of them fled Europe to escape religious or political persecution. The other group were people who had broken the law and were exiled to the “New World” by the British.

The values ​​and beliefs of the bulk of immigrants were not popular in Europe. They arrived in a corner of the globe where these values ​​and beliefs were strongly encouraged and strengthened. Some sociologists even claim that these values ​​developed and took root in America due to its unique physical and social environment.

Religion in America

Of all the immigrants, the most powerful influence on American culture was the Calvinists, who were persecuted in Europe for their religious beliefs. There they belonged to religious minorities who fought against the Roman Catholic Church or other official state religion. Often they were ready to sacrifice freedom in defense of their beliefs, and therefore they were often called religious fanatics.

Religion has always been an important value for Americans. Many of the first independent states were formed by individual religious groups and later became part of the United States, which recognized equal rights for all religions. Even today, about 70 percent of all Americans call themselves Protestants, and the church membership in the United States is higher than in any other industrialized country. A recent survey found that 94 percent of Americans believe in God, compared with about 70 percent in Britain and 67 percent in West Germany.  Nearly 80 percent of Americans surveyed said that religion was very important or very important in their lives, while on average only 45 percent of Europeans (Germans, French, British, Italians, Austrians and Dutch) gave similar answers. 2

Americans expect their leaders to respect religion, and they are accustomed to the fact that the President of the United States ends his speech with the words “God bless America.” The phrase “One nation under God” printed on the $1 bill.

Remaining the most important cultural value of the nation as a whole, religion also occupies a certain place in the system of individual values ​​of individual citizens. There is no official state religion in America. The constitution prohibits state support of any religion and interference in the practice of religious rites. It's paradoxical, but in European countries Ah, where state or national religions are recognized by law, religion has lost its former meaning over the years.

Willingness to take risks

In 1700-1800 There was little population movement within Europe. People continued to live in houses that belonged to their parents. Immigrants heading to America were ready to leave their parents' home and go to the other side of the world, knowing that 20 percent were doomed to die along the way. They risked their lives for a new world where religious and political freedom awaited them. Above all, opportunities for economic prosperity opened up for those who were willing to take the risk and travel to the New World.

The individual's willingness to take risks is a fundamental feature of American culture. There was no real hope of escaping poverty in Europe. Life did not promise changes. He who was born poor died poor. But immigrants believed that life could be changed if you were not afraid of risk.

Today, immigrants are still united by the “American Dream” of economic prosperity and success. Even though many continue to live in relative poverty after arriving in the country, their children attend American schools and learn English. It is the first generation of children born in America that helps families escape poverty. This, perhaps, was hardly possible in their homeland.

Progressive Economic Mobility

In Europe in the 1700s, Calvinism was considered a revolutionary theory because it did not support the economic status quo. Calvinism was based on the assumption that change is good and man has a responsibility to take the initiative and bring about change.

Europe had an extremely rigid socio-economic class system and mixing of classes was rare. However, Calvinists believed that God rewarded the hard worker and that a person could achieve a higher class position through personal effort.

In all cultures, beliefs and values ​​that bring rewards occupy a predominant place. Immigrants found a corner of the world isolated from the wars that rocked Europe. Here, unlimited natural resources and sparsely populated lands awaited them. Indeed, under such conditions, an immigrant willing to work was given the opportunity to succeed. Such beliefs and values ​​were rewarded handsomely, and they continue to be essential cultural values ​​to this day.

Egalitarianism, personal achievements and actions

No politician in the United States would seek public office using an academic title such as Ph.D. Even the US President or Ambassador should be addressed as "Mr. President" or "Mr. Ambassador" rather than "Your Excellency." Americans do not like titles and often address their interlocutor by name. We associate the title with European tradition, where the title is often given at birth. Americans believe that all people have equal status and equal opportunities to achieve social status through work.

In America social status conquered by human activity. The fundamental importance Americans place on personal achievement stems from the Calvinist belief that all people are equal before God and can work to achieve the fulfillment of any desires.

The highest measure of success in the United States is personal success achieved through hard work and enterprise. American heroes are always individualists, entrepreneurs who achieved success in any kind of activity... Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Paul Bunyan or Rimbaud. No politician will say: “vote for me because I come from such and such a family and have great connections.” Speaking about themselves, almost all US politicians, to one degree or another, portray some semblance of Abraham Lincoln - a man who achieved success on his own, grew up in poverty and became president thanks to his own merits without any outside help.

President Clinton grew up poor, worked hard to pay for his education, and, as a Rhodes Scholar, graduated with honors from Yale Law School. Thanks to his personal merit and ability to compete with other politicians, he won the support of the American people and was elected president.

It is no coincidence that the bible of capitalism, Adam Smith's Inquiries into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, was published in 1776, the same year in which the United States of America was founded. Free enterprise, market capitalism and political liberalism were formed on the basis of individual achievements, the mobility of social strata within the class system and anti-government policies. The development of these ideas was facilitated by the greenhouse conditions of America with its abundance of natural resources, low population density and continuous economic growth.
Self-reliance and independence - the values ​​of the first American settlers

If you emigrated to America from Europe in the mid-1800s, you would likely begin to experience American life as a poor person in a crowded inner-city neighborhood. This is the fate of many of today's immigrants. Most of them worked hard and saved money, wanting to take advantage of the economic opportunities of the West, where there was land, minerals, gold and a chance to get a job.

Caravans of wagons stretched to the West. This path was not much like a collective tourist trip. Each family traveled in their own wagon, ate separately, and each had their own destination. To survive in the border areas, the settlers needed complete independence and autonomy. These values ​​of the early settlers merged with the values ​​brought by Calvinists from Europe to form the founding values ​​of America.

Almost every politician wants to be photographed wearing a cowboy hat. Why? Because when Americans think of a cowboy, they imagine a lone figure on horseback galloping across the prairie. Cowboys never traveled in groups. They were men of action, self-reliant and independent individualists who survived without any outside help. For Americans, a cowboy is a Calvinist on horseback who represents the prevailing values ​​of society.

Thus, one cannot think of a worse insult to an American than to tell him that he is dependent on someone or relies on others. When we help others, we often do so indirectly, in a roundabout way, through anonymous charities, and very rarely directly, because the help may offend the person in need.

The average American gives about five hundred dollars to charities each year, and the poorer the donor, the larger percentage of his or her income is given to charitable causes. About 48 percent of the population volunteers an average of four hours a week to benefit various organizations and causes. 3 They give their time and labor freely to less advantaged members of society - the poor, the elderly or children. Voluntary free labor is also a fundamental value.

It should be emphasized again that such help should never be given directly, otherwise you will offend the person you want to help. Ideally, for those receiving this help, it should be an opportunity to do something that will help them move up a notch. For example, many of America's earlier philanthropists, such as Andrew Carnegie, did not give alms to the poor. Carnegie built universities and libraries so that the poor could study there and improve their economic well-being on their own. His help did not have a detrimental effect on the independence of the individual.

Throughout American history, the nuclear family consisted of a husband, wife, and children, but without grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives. Such a small family was very mobile. Even today, the average American moves 14 times in their lifetime, mostly in search of better economic opportunities in other parts of the country. Parents expect that after their child graduates from high school at the age of 18-19, he will leave the parental home and enter higher education. educational institution or starting to work. Children should not be financially dependent on their hard-working parents.

American liberalism and capitalism.

The country's leading political principle should be considered what many Europeans call “liberalism,” although in the United States itself this principle is often classified as a form of “conservatism.” Americans believe that the smaller the government, the better, and that the government should not interfere in the lives of the individual. Another logical continuation of Calvinism.

Most Americans do not trust a strong central government. This is why we do not have a parliamentary system that unites the executive and legislative branches of government. It has always been believed that the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government should be separate and should have a proportionate share of political power.

The prevailing economic belief is free-competitive capitalism, in which government should not interfere in the economy and all responsibility for success or failure rests with the individual. This approach is a logical development of the ideas of Calvinism. Unlike many European countries and even Canada, the United States does not have a socialist party, and compared with other industrialized countries, federal government support for health care, child care, the unemployed and the elderly is much less significant. Even education issues are predominantly the responsibility of local rather than federal authorities.
Americans identify themselves with their occupation.

If you happen to meet an American at a party, he greets you like this: “Hello. My name is Gary Weaver. I am a professor at an American university. What do you do?" We identify ourselves with what are we doing.

People from many other cultures identify with their origins. An East African might greet you by saying, “Hello. My name is Amos Ntimama, son of William Ole Ntimama from Narok in the Masai Mara.” Here, the starting point of self-determination is an understanding of who he is, so first of all the father’s name and place of birth will be named. Social status is based on family and inherited traditions, not on the activities of the individual.

In many traditional non-Western rural cultures, children are taught that family relationships and connections are more important than individual achievement. In fact, achievements are important for the sake of family or friends. Friendships that are reliable, well-established, and time-tested are highly valued, and people want to depend on and rely on others. Cooperation rather than competition is admired and encouraged in the family and at work.

Given the enormous importance placed on independence, autonomy, and personal achievement, the American who fails in personal or financial endeavors feels personally responsible. He often feels guilt for lack of effort, failure to become more competitive or to take advantage of an opportunity. In many non-Western cultures, with their respect for large families and inherited traditions, it is common for people who fail to feel shame because failure individual person affects everyone who is connected with him in one way or another.

These values ​​also influence the way Americans conduct business meetings. They tend to get to the point much more quickly than is typical in cultures where relationships are so important. For many traditional cultures with rural populations, it is customary to take time to get to know each other and determine the status of the participants, and only then begin to discuss matters. Some Americans think that Mexicans or Africans “waste time” with non-business interactions before starting work. On the other hand, Africans and Mexicans sometimes consider Americans to be “pushy” and always rushing to get things done without caring about establishing relationships.

The US is becoming a "bowl of salad"

Of course, the United States has changed. The majority of the population is no longer comfortable with the concept of a “melting pot” or “cultural stamping machine.” Today's popular metaphors indicate that it has become acceptable to maintain differences and at the same time remain part of a single society. In a salad, each vegetable adds its own identity and flavor, just as men and women of the black, white, yellow and brown races come together to form a society that maintains respect for individual differences of gender, race, religion and ethnic background.

Some Americans fear that the prevailing culture will be destroyed by large numbers of immigrants coming from non-European cultures. Since 1964, about one million immigrants have moved to America every year, the vast majority of whom are from Latin America, Caribbean, Asian and African countries.

There is no evidence to support such concerns. Despite almost zero growth in the non-Hispanic white population, those who succeed in our society behave like Anglo-Saxon Protestants. They gain respect for hard work, personal achievement, and ability to take action. At the same time, many want to preserve their cultural, racial or ethnic identity and see no reason to forget them in order to achieve success in modern American society.

Positive and negative aspects of American cultural values.

For a correct approach to understanding cultural values, generalizations are necessary. Values ​​do not apply to every person or every situation possible in America, and every prevailing value has exceptions. For example, Americans need a sense of belonging to a group, just as the Japanese need a sense of kinship and collectivism.

The need to feel like one big family, a collective, may be even stronger in the United States, and this stems from an over-celebration of individualism. As a result, on days national holidays or international crises, Americans come together with a sense of genuine strength and unity. Patriotism in the USA is given exclusively important and it is often called the "civil religion" 4 of America. Just as with people of other faiths, immigrants are often more fanatical in their commitment to America and its values ​​than US-born citizens.

Conquered social status, individualism, autonomy and independence. Recognition of all these values ​​was necessary for those who wanted to survive and succeed in the advanced American society of 1800-1900. These values ​​allowed immigrants to succeed and were vital to the country's economic growth. Yet, will these values ​​serve America well in the new millennium?

America's rugged individualism has resulted in many older adults choosing to live on their own—on their own and independently—rather than relying on and being dependent on their children. Many young people have difficulty making friends or making connections. love relationship, because they cannot give up the usual competition of personalities. Siblings, friends, and even husbands and wives periodically compete with each other. Today, this form of competitive individualism can be excessive and counterproductive. It can have an extremely negative impact on the psychological situation in the family. It is possible that after 2000 we will become dependent on family and will have to rely on relatives for economic and psychological stability and support.

In the summer of 1996, the most popular movie in America was Independence Day. The day on which the feeling of American patriotism is strongest is the 4th of July - on this date America celebrates the declaration of independence from Great Britain. The film has become a classic example of prevailing American cultural values. Aliens from outer space were trying to conquer planet Earth, and the president personally led the plane into the attack. Americans fell in love with this modern sci-fi western.

However, in today's world of economic and political interdependence, lone cowboys can become dangerous. In the new millennium, Americans may need to embrace a more reasonable proportion of individualism and competition to collectivism and cooperation.

 Andrew Greeley, Religion Around the World: A Preliminary Report(Chicago: National Opinion Research Center, 1991), p. 39.

2 Ronald Inglehart, 1990 World Values ​​Survey(Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, 1990), question 3 F.

3 Richard Morin, “So Much for the ‘Bowling Alone’ Thesis: A compilation of data suggests that Americans are actually becoming more involved,” The Washington Post National Weekly Edition, June 17-23, 1996, p. 37.

4 Seymour Martin Lipset, American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword(New York: W.W. Norton, 1996), pp. 18, 63-64.