What is a Monocultural Society?
Do you live in a monocultural or multicultural society? Many times it is difficult for us to define. What is a monocultural society?
Most experts agree that the essential features of a monocultural society are a common heritage, belief structure, language, and usually a monoracial identity. Since we live in a more globalized world, many of our societies are essentially multicultural. But still, many of today’s societies still share the common traits of a monocultural society.
What are these common traits?
1. a common heritage
The historical heritage of society could be based on the perception that nations, food, language, attitudes, racial traits, and religious beliefs are essential to the identity of nations.
2. A shared belief structure
The majority of a country’s citizens have a shared belief structure, based on the nation’s heritage. These beliefs shape national identity and ‘psyche’, creating for many a stronger united society, but for detractors a nation that misses out on the benefits of a multicultural ethnic society.
3. An inward looking ‘psyche’
For many, monocultural societies tend to look inward, rather than outward, and this can show up in the nation’s culture. TV shows and news tend to be locally focused, and the identity of cultures is strongly promoted. A certain degree of ignorance of the outside world is often the product of looking within.
4. A suspicion of “foreigners”
The “psyche” of a monocultural society can often be suspicious of “foreigners” and unacceptable of their beliefs. This could lead to discouraging multicultural associations, to a “ghetto” mentality of separating cultures through the areas in which they may live. .
5. common religious values
While in some societies religion is considered less important, other cultures view it as part of their national or ethnic identity. A strong monocultural official religion is often a strong feature of this type of society.
6. tribalism
Citizens of strong multicultural societies tend to be more tribal when living outside of their own culture. Multicultural marriages are unacceptable, neighbours, food and even the workplace tend to be ‘tribal’ – the influence of the new society diminished by this strong cultural bond, among others who share it.
7. purchase of goods
Monocultural societies tend to support their own products, rather than buy products from other nations. They tend to be proud of their industries and economic achievements, encouraging the purchase of domestically produced products over others. This is beneficial in a recession, but in an expanding economy it can hamper consumer choice.
Monocultural societies tend to feel more secure, as long as they identify you as “one of the group”, but also conservative when it comes to accepting change. While under threat, these societies tend to come together faster, but they can also be guilty of the worst kinds of ethnic abuse.
Historical examples could be Turkey’s Armenian Holocaust, or past bloodshed in the Balkans and Rwanda: events that generally do not occur in more modern multi-ethnic societies, which accept differences of ideas and beliefs.
Recessions often create a more monocultural outlook in societies, where even in multicultural societies failures can suddenly appear, often in the guise of competition for jobs and economic rights. However, despite the economic difficulties, without the colour, music and openness of a multicultural society, we would live in a very boring and limited world.