Cultural Theory Cross-State Validity: The US and the Republic of Korea

• In Event: Frontiers of Public Policy Theories

Abstract

The phenomenon of culture is tightly connected to all levels of individual’s existence. Cultural Theory (CT) is an effective framework for examining cultural worldviews or cultural biases. CT explains how culturally biased beliefs may be used by individuals to identify risks and opportunities, understand their relationship to the environment, and give meaning to political processes, shape political behavior, and influence specific policy preferences. Dimensions of the CT worldviews (hierarchism, egalitarianism, individualism, fatalism) have been found to work effectively with general public, elite groups, and more specific organizational target groups. The validity of cultural worldview measures has been successfully tested over time in a large number of regional and national studies of various topics. The purpose of this study is to better understand the nuances of CT validity in a cross-national setting comparing the cases of the United States and the Republic of Korea and find the major cultural differences that explain the variation in how the CT worldviews behave depending on a targeted setting. Through this comparative analysis, we seek to shed light on the intricate interplay between culture, worldviews, and behavior, offering valuable insights into the complexities of cultural dynamics in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.

Authors

• Nataliia Borozdina, University of Arkansas

• Geoboo Song, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

• Ben Galloway, University of Arkansas