The Influences of Geography
• Advantageous geography: 9360000Km2 territory, 120000000 acres of arable land, 310000000 acres of forest, Canada, Mexico, seas. Never been invaded since 1812
• Thanks to the great frontier, the availability of rich land and the lack of laborers, nearly each hard-working man in America was able to make a profit on his own piece of land free of the oppression of feudal lords in the Old World.
• Westward Movement: played very important role in the forming of American character and core values
china
• long history of about 5000 years, History and traditional culture still has a significant influence, contribute to the shaping the worldview.
• Although there are 56 nationalities in China, the Han nationality takes up more than 97 percent. Its culture has been the dominant culture in the Chinese culture. Cultures from outside could be easily absorbed by this powerful one.
Confucianism
• Economic and political changes and dislocations in ancient China produced Confucian philosophy on human relations which centered on Ren.
The Influences of History and Population
• A young country: in 1776 the 13 colonies declared independence more than 200 years
• Immigrants: living environment
• “One of the most important differences between Chinese and American cultures is that the Chinese culture is monistic while the latter is pluralistic.” (朱炎,1989:23)
• “Ren” consists in “being respectful in private life, being serious in handling affairs, and being loyal in dealing with others.” (Chai, 1975: 86)
• Emphasize the harmony of nature and man
• This independent status of men as property holders promoted the early immigrant’s quest for affluence and strengthened their belief in individual right to property and equal opportunity in pursuit of material success.
Christianity is based on the belief that man and nature have been separated absolutely and opposed each other. man can control and remake nature. every person is regarded as an entity and small universe, existing without depending on others. This makes Americans emphasize individualism, power, success and competition.
The Root-causes of American Individualism and Chinese Collectivism
American individualism Chinese collectivism
Religions and Philosophies
Байду номын сангаас
Christianity
Confucianism
Long history The Han nationality takes up more than 97%
Isolation of geography
Conservative agrarian system
The Influences of Religion and Philosophy
• Christianity and Western philosophies:
History and population
Geography and economy
Short history Immigrants Westward Movement Frontiersman
Advantageous geography to exert self
Aggressive industrial system