Before going deeper into that - I would like to start with a brief definition of the role of culture and perception in international relations: It is known that culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. But culture is not only constrained of a certain group of people. What about values in the workplace or institutions, which are influenced by culture? Professor Gerhard Hofstedde for instance, conducted one of the most comprehensive studies about national culture. He defines culture as “the collective programming of the mind distinguishing the members of one category of people from others.” Hofsteddes’ cultural dimensions represent independent preferences for one state of affairs over another that distinguishes countries – rather than individuals – from each other’s. I disagree. I will show you why.
With love from Boston,
Sibel