Lecture 2
The USA
State system of the usa.
Watching “America’s Book of Secrets”: The Monuments (http://www.youtube.com/watch). H/W Describe the main American monuments and the secrets they hide.
American customs and traditions (individual assignment: essay).
Linguistic Affiliation.
Literarure: Лінгвокраїнознавство. Англомовні країни. Гапонів А. Б., Возна М. О.
State system of the usa.
The United States is the world's oldest surviving federation. Its government relies on representative democracy through a congressional system under a set of powers specified by its Constitution.
The federal government comprises three branches, which are designed to check and balance one another's powers:
• Legislative: The Congress, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which makes federal law, declares war, approves treaties and has powers of impeachment.
There are 100 senators, two from each of the 50 states and each serves a six-year term. There are 435 representatives who must be elected every two years.
• Executive: The President, who administers and enforces federal law, can veto bills, and is Commander in Chief of the military.
• Judiciary: The Supreme Court and lower federal courts, whose judges are appointed by the President with Senate approval, which interpret laws and their validity under the Constitution and can overturn laws they deem unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court is made up of nine justices who are picked by the president and must be approved by Congress.
Republican and Democratic Party Symbols
3. Working with Americans
All cultures are, by definition, ethnocentric. Yet few cultures have managed to export and market their values to the extent the United States has been able to do.
Because the U.S. has been a global entertainment and media center, much of the world has been exposed to American values. This doesn’t mean, however, that these values are understood, let alone accepted. For example, the entire world may have seen American Western films and recognize American individualism, yet that recognition may be a far-cry from knowing how to work with this kind of individualism.
This article describes the American cultural values that appear most prominently in the business environment. It will explain where they come from, and most important, will offer suggestions for working successfully with Americans.
The Roots of American Values
Despite their different backgrounds and motivations, those who came to America were bound together by similar challenges and united by a common vision. Becoming an American was a conscious act, an ideological commitment to a set of values and a way of life. New Americans rejected notions of a state-mandated religion, a powerful centralized government, or a rigid class structure.
Their Utopian ideal was to have the space and freedom to create a model society. Guiding principles of liberty, equality – even the “pursuit of happiness” – were modeled and reinforced by colonial America’s early leaders. Later institutionalized in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, they have shaped public policy and national values ever since.
Equality of Opportunity
Early on, Americans were determined to make their new society a meritocracy. First enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, the phrase “all men are created equal” emphasized that, regardless of race, religion, or background, every individual should be provided with equal opportunity to succeed. Rungs on the ladder of success would not be arbitrarily allocated by birthright, but achieved through initiative and perseverance.
Equal opportunity is not to be confused with egalitarianism (another important American value.) In his book Democracy in America (1835) de Tocqueville first observed that Americans emphasize equality of opportunity – not equal conditions for all.
Consistent with their individualistic mentality, Americans believe that ability, effort, and achievement should be rewarded. They reject the notion of government interference to address social and economic inequities. Rather than investing in a European-style welfare state, America promotes upward mobility by making its educational system flexible and accessible to all.
Egalitarianism
Consistent with the belief that “all men are born equal,” American social relations are founded on equal respect and informality. In an early example of egalitarianism, the Congress of 1789 decided that George Washington should be addressed simply as “Mr. President.” Today’s corporate executive is referred to as “Bill” or "Martha". There is also far less deference to authority, and fewer privileges based on rank. President or pauper, everyone’s expected to stand in line and clear their table at a fast-food restaurant.
Is America a classless society? Yes and no. In the traditional societies of Europe, class denotes an inherited station in life. Here, it is an acquired status – a position earned through effort and achievement. This means that social standing is not defined by accent, demeanor, affiliations, or geography, but instead by money and power. The acquisition of a new car may be regarded as rampant materialism by outsiders. To Americans, it's a symbol of status and success.
Of course, some have a “leg up” by being born into privilege: the Kennedy clan and Bush dynasty come to mind. But, in theory, anyone can make a million or go to Harvard in this socially mobile society. Indeed, America reveres those who have risen from humble beginnings and overcome adversity to achieve success, as is the case with Bill Clinton.
I'll Do It My Way!
The right to control your own destiny is a cherished American value. Individual rights and freedoms are fiercely defended. Unlike the more conformist societies that believe “the nail that sticks up gets hammered down,” Americans believe “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Speak up, get noticed, and you’ll get your needs met in life. In fact, the nation’s greatest admiration is reserved for those individuals who have blazed new trails – aviator Charles Lindbergh, John D. Rockefeller or Microsoft’s Bill Gates.
How can a nation of individualists also be team players? The American notion of “group affiliation" is different from that of collectivist countries. While fully committed to the team’s goal, individuals will also use group membership to advance a personal agenda – to showcase individual talents. Once the group no longer serves the individual’s purpose, it’s time to move on to the next opportunity.
In the conference room and in the locker room, individual members will expect to be rewarded based on individual contribution, with the star player receiving the lion’s share. It’s fun to be a part of a team and great things can be achieved together, but at the end of the day, individual performers expect – indeed demand – recognition.
Work Ethic
The Protestant Work Ethic provided a clear and compelling equation to early settlers: hard work leads to a moral life, spiritual fulfillment, and God’s blessing in the form of material rewards here on earth. Benjamin Franklin encapsulated the work ethic in Poor Richard’s Almanack (1736), coining proverbs still used today, such as “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise,” and “Time is money.”
For many Americans work is central in defining one’s sense of identity and self-worth. Even those who can afford to step off the treadmill often don’t. To many, the sense of purpose and accomplishment are as much of a reward as the paycheck. In a country that equates worth with productivity, it is not surprising that many elderly people remain active, working as volunteers or learning new skills well into retirement.
Also, there is no guilt attached to flaunting and enjoying the “fruits of one’s labors.” Early Puritans or Benjamin Franklin might be bemused by some of today’s “blessings,” such as big screen TVs and designer sneakers, but they would be pleased to see that the work ethic is alive and well!
Change Is Good
America was founded by a special breed of adventurous, entrepreneurial, free-thinking types who sought new frontiers to conquer. They found plentiful resources and a young society, people who thought that constant change was not only a possibility but a duty, and that progress was its reward.
The “change equals progress” equation has shaped a future-oriented culture that rewards “go getters” who “think out of the box” and “push the envelope.” With vision, energy and perseverance, anything can be accomplished. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” It is a conviction that has placed a man on the moon, and produced three times as many Nobel prize winners as the next country. It is why the introduction of a globally implemented IT system or a new brand of washing powder is automatically and enthusiastically embraced. If it’s new, it must be improved!
Unwavering optimism and faith in the future inspire not only action but a confident swagger and upbeat tone. Today is good, but tomorrow will be better. This seemingly cavalier attitude towards risk and change is very difficult for people from cultures where failure is punished with rebuke and shame. Americans see occasional failure as a necessary step in the learning process, and there is little if any long term negative impact that remains with individuals who have not succeeded in a particular venture.
Control Freaks
To be in control, it helps to have nature on your side. Some cultures live in harmony with their environment. Americans like to wrestle it to the ground and harness its power for their own personal use. Wind, sun, and ocean waves are transformed into valuable energy sources. State-of-the-art heating and air-conditioning systems allow Alaskans and Floridians to enjoy the same room temperatures all year round.
Fatalistic cultures believe that bad luck is inevitable and destiny is determined by the fickle finger of fate. To Americans, that is superstitious claptrap. Rather than passively reacting to events, Americans proactively take control. In her book The Yin and Yang of American Culture, interculturalist Dr. Eun Kim observes that: “Americans are obsessed with controlling their destiny, from health to happiness.”
Americans have perfected the art of predicting, diagnosing, and controlling every aspect of life. Is ill health unavoidable? Not if you exercise, take dietary supplements, and engage in preventative medical checks. Do skyscrapers have to topple in earthquakes? Not if you build them on special rollers. And if all else fails and the randomness of nature prevails? As Kim notes: That’s what insurance policies are for.
Understanding Americans
What really matters to Americans? It might seem impossible to generalize across vast distances and a population of nearly 300 million who are renowned for being highly individualistic. Yet the special character and unique experiences of the early settlers and successive waves of immigrants have indeed shaped a set of “all-American” values. Here's a brief recap of the values Americans generally share.
Direct: “Say what you mean, and mean what you say." People who are able to speak their minds are respected. Likewise, it is expected that when people speak, they are communicating their true opinions and not merely expressing platitudes.
Informal: Individuals call their co-workers and superiors by their first names. Business can be discussed anytime, anywhere. Lines of reporting are not strictly adhered to. New ideas can go from the bottom of an organization up, as well as from the top-down.
Optimistic: People who look at things from the positive point of view are highly valued. There is a “can-do” attitude in this culture that says: "If one tries hard enough, no matter what the difficulties, he or she can succeed."
Short-term oriented: Managers historically have had a short-term approach to business planning. This is attributable to the quarterly demands of shareholders and to the pressure on each manager to “perform”. In general, businesses work within a one- to five-year plan, ten years being “long-term planning."
Action oriented: Individuals who are able to think and respond quickly to the business environment and “make things happen” are considered good business people, though operating by this philosophy may be at the cost of gathering and carefully processing comprehensive information.
Independent: People prefer to work independently and recognition is given to individual efforts, even when a group of people has been working together. It is not comfortable for people to be dependent on, or beholden to others. People are more loyal to their own interests than to those of the company.
Competitive: The drive to be better than others or to improve previous performance is a major motivation. This drive will often override other interests including long-term relationship building and loyalty. People take great pride in the position the U.S. holds globally in politics, business and defense.
Vocal: A great weight is placed on an individual’s verbal abilities as well as the ability to “think on one’s feet”. Oratory skills are often the most important factor in other’s evaluations of the individual. Participation – “making one’s mark” – is also critical. If one does not speak up at a meeting, it is assumed that one does not have something worthwhile to say.
Analytical: Analytical skills are evaluated on the basis of speed and delivery as much as they are on the individual’s ability to synthesize information accurately and formulate solutions.
Confrontational: It is not considered a personal offense to challenge an individual or organization’s ideas openly and present contradictory opinions. Rather, it is believed to show an individual’s independence, analytical thinking, and strength of character.
Equality-minded: In business dealings, it is important to never discriminate based on gender, racial background, religious affiliation or sexual orientation. Inappropriate behavior could lead to legal action by the offended party. Most companies have official policies prohibiting such behavior in the workplace.
How This Translates to Business Interactions
Now you understand American values and where they come from. But what should you do with this information? If you are not American, here are 12 guidelines to help you interact with your American counterparts. Or, if you are American, here are some cross-cultural subjects your international colleagues may be struggling with.
In meetings, set expectations by stating your goals from the outset.
Direct eye contact is important in a discussion to communicate trust.
Outside of the introductory handshake and an occasional pat on the back, physical contact is generally not part of the U.S. business culture.
Business can generally be conducted with a minimum level of personal familiarity. Likewise, relatively little time is spent on small talk before “getting down to business”.
Business people do not put much emphasis on titles. It is much more important to them that the person they are dealing with have the ability to authorize transactions and finalize negotiations.
“Time is money”. Business people feel very strongly that time is a commodity that can be “spent, saved, and allocated”. Therefore, they are highly punctual and concise in all their dealings, out of respect for others, and expect others to offer them the same courtesy.
Business deals are assessed generally by the “net gain” offered on a particular transaction. Each deal will be evaluated independently with little credence given to the past working relationship. Relationships or personal connections do not necessarily give one privilege or favor in new situations.
Conflict and debate, in meetings for example, is acceptable and common behavior and may even be viewed positively as introducing creative tension to the decision making process. Expressing a competing viewpoint demonstrates an ability to think independently and critically, both highly valued qualities.
A great importance is placed on efficiency and formalities including contracts, rules, and legal advice.
Keep all parties updated on changes in agreements, particularly if the change will involve a delay.
Because people minimize the importance of hierarchy, it is not uncommon to find numerous employee levels attending and participating in the same meetings.
Business people commonly adapt a collegial attitude, even when interacting with people they have known a short while. Reserved behavior may convey an untrustworthy image and a belief that you have something to hide.
Patriotism, Pride and the Export of Values
America’s influence stretches far beyond its 50 states in today’s global village. Like the proverbial pebble in a pond, what happens in America has a ripple effect throughout the world. From basketball to business practices, fast food to Friends, many facets of American life have been exported, some have been embraced around the world, and some have been deeply resented. No matter where one comes from it is hard to find people who are completely unfamiliar with American culture. Yet all this familiarity does not make it easier for people to deal with the hyperbole, the swagger, and the unwavering faith in the future.
Fortunately for all of us in the international business arena, culture can be learned, and once understood, intercultural behavior can be managed. Even difficult intercultural situations, while extremely challenging, can and need to be bridged in today’s small world.