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//**Complete one form per student before you do your presentation**//.

Presentation planning document
Submit to: **TOK teacher** Session: **May 2013** School number: **000357** School name: **DULWICH COLLEGE SHANGHAI**

Candidate name: Tom Rudolph-Stringer Candidate session number: 000357 _ _ _ _ Title of presentation:

1. What is the real life situation under consideration? Cultural generalization - case of  • Lindsay Sandiford 2. What is the TOK knowledge issue that will be the focus of your presentation? (This must be expressed as a question.) Is it justifiable for one culture to impose its own values or standards on another? 3. Write a summary in note form (for example, a bullet point list), of the way you plan to deal with knowledge issues during your presentation).  • Social interaction    • Religious rules and behavior    • Differences in law
 * Is it justifiable for one culture to impose its own values or standards on another? **


 * Slide 1: Intro **


 * Immediately with this question we see a number of different situations emerge. For example, the imposing of the values and standards of a hosting country when someone is visiting or the visitor imposing their standards on the host.
 * I however deem it more relevant to discuss the former situation as this seems to occur more commonly and have consequences that can seriously affect a persons life.


 * Slide 2: Knowledge issue **

• **Read knowledge issue aloud** In this knowledge issue we may find several different aspects we can look at, for example there is the simple example of cultural rules of social interaction. A complex process that may take years to understand in culture that is not our own there are often no sever side effects and one may learn quickly to adjust. However as we discuss later, the way a person is perceived by others can be the difference in guilt and innocence.

A more prominent example me be that of religion. Starting a life in a country that exits primarily of a different religion to your own can have some serious effects. Take the example of a strongly Catholic family going on a posting to Bangladesh where Islam and Hindu are prominent.

// Is it fair to impost the religious values of that country on the foreign family? //

// Can families beliefs have an effect on the way they are treated in a different country? //

I would argue that belief is an aspect that undeniably will change the way people treat you. It can make and break relationships. I think it is unjustified for a hosting country to impose it’s religious values on a foreigner, we should all be able to believe what we want no matter where we are in the world.

Consider the example of women covering their hair with a hijab (head scarf) when going to Saudi Arabia or Iran, it can be deemed somewhat justified to require foreigners to conform to this tradition.

// But is it justified to make the expression of ones belief against the law? //

An extreme example is that of an educational law in France where wearing a headscarf was banned in Public schools, a law hotly debated and with much controversy. This seems to be a dramatic imposing of one culture’s standard on another, with serious effects regarding the freedom and civil rights of an individual.

One the other end of the spectrum it can be argued that wearing this headscarf although you may not believe in the religious view is portraying yourself as though you do. To a strongly Methodist person this may go against their morals, one may suggest that a person as such shouldn’t visit that particular place, // however is it right to exclude certain people in that way from visiting a country just because their beliefs differ? //

Religion is a subject that when visiting a new country we are unable to divorce ourselves from. Although sometimes exciting and interesting to explore new religions can have effects on other cultures especially when it’s values are strongly enforced. This makes certain people (those with strong opposing religious views) more subject to breaking social rues or even laws. In my opinion it is necessary for a visiting person to be aware of the religion of the host country and to demonstrate respect towards their different views and beliefs, however it also lies in my opinion that a host country should do the same and not expect a foreigner to change what they express to believe just for crossing a boarder.

An issue that has struck me particularly is that of the differences in law, and the imposing of a law on a foreigner that may end in imprisonment or even execution. This I believe is the strongest and most severe example of a culture or country imposing it’s own unique standards on another.


 * Slide 3: The Law **

The law, a statement recognized by almost every human being on Earth. It’s meaning however is very different.

I am sure most of you are aware of the laws in some countries, things we have to be careful of. Road rules in Australia, Drugs in Thailand or Bali, Economical fraud in China. We have been lucky enough to receive such an education that it makes it easy for us to behave appropriately when visiting a new country, aware that we are only visitors.

// However, are we equipped with the knowledge of what to do in a situation where we are arrested for something and we don’t know what for? //

// Do we know what to do if we have been framed or accused of a crime we have not committed in a foreign country? //

// Do we have any idea how to handle a situation where someone who speaks the local language and knows all the rules and regulations of their country blames you for a crime? //

I assume not. We have all heard stories and read newspapers where foreigners are imprisoned for crimes they believed were not even crimes to begin with (J Walking, what if you come from Vietnam and knew no such laws existed… Bali 9)

the media is perhaps one thing that makes it easier for us to avoid those situations.

// Consider this, if a person who is well traveled and culturally aware would have trouble dealing with the law in a foreign country, how is it expected that a person who has never even been outside of their own country is able to handle a difficult situation as such? //

In essence I have explored whether or not it is fair to impose a law on a foreigner. To further develop this question we need to look at it’s different aspects.


 * Slide 4: Social Norms **

I’m sure some of you have heard of this concept in psychology and probably many of you have experienced it first hand. When one knows the social norms of a group one will usually conform to them and try to fit in. However, if you do not know what they are it can take a while to learn. This can cause behavior that may draw attention to you. This is one of the main reasons tourists or foreigners are sometimes easy to identify, they cannot conform to social standards.

This non-conforming however has consequences, one may be labeled a social outcast and treated differently to other people. This is yet another aspect that should be considered when looking at laws and regulations in different countries. // Can a foreigner be treated differently by police and other authority because their behavior is perhaps perceived as inappropriate in given situations? // // It is fair to insist on a rule in a country however is the aftermath fair? // Are social outcasts more likely to run themselves into dangerous situations because they don’t have the support of surrounding witnesses and behave inappropriately in front of authority?

I think as humans we naturally lack respect and understanding for those who behave in a way in which we are not accustomed to or in a way in which we believe is rude or inappropriate. I think this is something we need to reflect on before a law or punishment is imposed upon someone of a different culture.


 * Slide 5: Equality **

Equality, defined as the state of being equal in status, rights and opportunities.

// If someone visiting your country breaks your laws, is it fair to impose your consequences? //

This simples and straight forward answer to that is yes.

Someone who is visiting another country needs to be aware that they are not bound by the same laws and regulations as their own country.

However situations as such are never simple nor straightforward.

Consider the following situation: My mother moved to Australia 19 years ago and waited 10 years to receive her citizenship. After this long awaited citizenship was received her German citizenship was taken away from her. She had never been aware that one was not permitted duel citizenship as a citizen of Germany. Therefore her rights to be a citizen in the country she was born and raised were taken away from her without warning. If she had been aware of this law, her decision to become an Australian citizen may have changed. Similarly a persons crime may not be committed if they are aware of the existing law.

There have been countless cases were someone gets into trouble because they are simply unaware of the other cultures rules and regulations, a common occurrence when traveling to a new country. I myself have received a fine for walking on grass in Vietnam. Coming from Australia to me it seemed a very normal thing to do, this being against the rules was shocking at least as in Australia it is sometimes even encouraged.

I think a foreigner should adjust their standards to conform to those of the hosting country, however is it irrational to impose sever punishment on someone who may be unaware of the laws regarding the situation.

// If I was unaware that crossing the street when the lights were red was against the law, is is fair to punish me for the crime? //

. I think something that needs to be considered and perhaps improved is the idea of awareness and how we can make people understand the laws better. As most of you know the capital punishment law about drugs in Thailand is merely mentioned during landing at the airport, while everyone is excited to get off the plane, we may not even remember what was said about it. Improving the communication of these especially severe laws is something that I believe we could all benefit on. A person needs to be made exceptionally aware of the consequences of their actions especially entering a new country where these consequences could have drastically changed.

As mentioned slightly earlier the media is another great way to make people more aware of the situations one may be confronted with in a foreign country. However, the media may also have bad side effects, decreasing tourism for example after a scary story.
 * Slide 6: Media, Language and Communication **

Another huge contribution to the way a case is presented in court is the language used. // Also consider the idea of a layer; is the communication between the accused and their layer compromised if the accused cannot afford a layer from their own country? //

// How is one supposed to defend ones case in the best possible way when these differences make it so difficult? //

When entering a new country, by law, you are treated equally to those living in the country. // However, are you really given an equal trial if you cant communicate your case like you want to? //

// Do you have a disadvantage because you do not conform to social norms or speak the language therefore may be deemed an already social outcast by the jury perhaps skewing their perception of your case? //

These are all questions that arise from the idea of a language barrier and communication. Things that I believe should be deliberated especially when dealing with capital punishment, a person’s life.


 * Slide 7: foreign business **

The effect of cultural imposing rules on another culture from the economical point of view can also be discussed. I think this is a great example of the difficulties and effect of the imposing of standards of one culture can effect another. It is an example where this imposing is internationally deemed to be justified and so we have to find ways of dealing with it. Compromisation and adjustment being key components of this very circular argument.

As most of you know the increasing globalization and internationalization has become of great importance recently. More and more companies start to look abroad to expand their businesses as the world becomes more and more interconnected. When going international the challenges the company must handle are new and unfamiliar. Obstacles the firm never faced before are becoming crucial in the every day work.

Culture is one of these obstacles and can affect the entire co-operation. Culture can influence the business in different ways. Language problems, pricing difficulties and culture collisions are not uncommon, especially in the beginning. The company must be able to handle these difficulties in a way that is satisfying also for the other part. Mistakes can be difficult to correct and disrespect for the foreign culture can destroy the entire operation. The important thing to always have in mind is that the foreign culture is not as we are used to at home and to be prepared before starting the new foreign operation. Respecting and understanding the new culture without forcing our own beliefs on people, are things that can be extremely helpful to consider. By learning the host country’s language, can respect and trust more easily be won, and competitive advantages can arise.


 * Slide 8: Conclusion **

In conclusion there are many aspects we can look into when it comes to the imposing of values and standards of one culture on another. Weather or not it is justified depends greatly on the severity of the crime and how it is perceived.

Awaerness is key, and education about the laws in a new country is important. Another important aspect that should be taken into account is that of the language and social barrier. One should be able to defend themselves as best as possible, which usually means in their own language such that what they say is perceived as intended and not skewed due to a communication issue.

With more consideration upon the subject, especially in the area of awareness and cultural education I believe a country allowing visitors has rights to maintain their laws, standards and values even upon someone who is not a citizen. This however is a subject heavily debated and something I have only been able to provide a tiny window towards.