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Japanese society is also ethnically homogenous (which increases trust and social capital - see http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9477.2007.00176
by defen 16y ago
Japanese society is also ethnically homogenous (which increases trust and social capital - see http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9477.2007.00176.x/full http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9477.2007....), hierarchical, and strongly favors social harmony over individual expression. I'm not convinced that a country like the U.S. could be as well prepared as Japan seems to be. I'm not saying we couldn't eventually overcome a similar scale disaster, but I think Japan is always going to have us beat in the immediate to short term aftermath.
- elptacek 16y ago"...strongly favors social harmony over individual expression." I like how you put that. It describes my experience with Switzerland as well. I remember the pros and cons of being an American ex-pat there -- it could be quite rigid at times. As I get older, however, my frustration with this dichotomy appears to be growing. Individual expression can get off my lawn.