Culture and Politics in The Modern World
In contemporary times, the world has globalized and industrialized more than ever before, and the change in dynamics has been witnessed in multiple frameworks of the society.
Politics is the dynamism of perceptions of different powerful groups whereas, Culture is the dynamism of social behaviors, institutions, and norms of different regional groups. It has been witnessed since ancient times that transactions of cultural values, traditions, rare antique pieces, indigenous cuisines, and textiles had provided the basis for political undertakings between various Empires. Cultural diplomacy has been one of the major aspects in the relationship of politics and culture.
After the advent of the Westphalia treaty, many nation- states came together and took the shape of States. Many European countries such as Britain and Spain followed the policy of imperialism and colonized many parts of the Asian, African and Latin-American countries. It was the time when white people depreciated the cultural strength of these continents as being a "burden on the earth."
Colonization which has deprived these countries from social, economic, political and cultural development was justified as an act of civilizing the whole world. It was that time when indigenous cultural values of many communities were demoralized for the sake of political and economic expansion.
After the wave of decolonization, countries became free from external control but remained culturally and psychologically colonized. In Asian and African countries, the political institutes that fall under the notion of an egoistic, rational, and individualistic institute cannot go with the cultural context of being social. Decolonization has allowed many countries to adopt liberal democracy for organizing their political, social, and economic development. Although it remains futile and results in violent conflicts, long- lasting civil wars, unstable governments and economic crises in many nations. These situations are the result of lack of institutional foundation for democracy. Many countries of the African, Asian continent, independent units of erstwhile Soviet Union such as Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan are a few examples.
Globalization has also facilitated the hybridization of cultures, languages and institutions. McDonaldization is a common phenomenon now. The expansion of Western values at the cost of extinction of the indigenous institutions of vibrant societies is necessarily a matter of concern.
It is crucial to take into account voices and concerns of non- western regions. Also, it's essential to go beyond eurocentrism and develop a political framework which is endemic to the cultural, social and economic environment of the country. Being more inclusive and representative doesn't mean reckless adoption of Western institutions; rather it involves growing in accordance with the trends and patterns of one's own community.
The evolution of culture is the result of interaction between different groups of a society or countries as a whole.