Cultural GeographyCultural GeographyChapter 4Chapter 4

Mrs. HollandMrs. Holland

Society: The Interactions of Society: The Interactions of Mankind.Mankind.

Luke 12:15Luke 12:15

A man’s life consists A man’s life consists not in the not in the

abundance of the abundance of the things which he things which he

possesses.possesses.

I.I.So far, we have studied the physical So far, we have studied the physical

world and how people meet their world and how people meet their physical needs. The spiritual world physical needs. The spiritual world is for more important to study. is for more important to study.

The physical world and all its riches The physical world and all its riches will pass away, but the spiritual will pass away, but the spiritual world will endure forever.world will endure forever.

God did not make Adam to serve God did not make Adam to serve God alone. He would need the God alone. He would need the help of other people.help of other people.

SocietySociety

Relationships among humans. Relationships among humans.

God has a purpose for society, God has a purpose for society, which is an outward manifestation which is an outward manifestation of the unseen spiritual world. of the unseen spiritual world.

The development of society is a The development of society is a part of the Creation Mandate – Fill part of the Creation Mandate – Fill the earth with people.the earth with people.

CultureCulture

Society’s total “way of life,” including its Society’s total “way of life,” including its institutions and traditions.institutions and traditions.

Traditions are the customs of usages Traditions are the customs of usages that society passes down from one that society passes down from one generation to the next.generation to the next.

Institutions are the formal organizations Institutions are the formal organizations by which society passes along by which society passes along tradition.tradition.

People are NOT born People are NOT born with culture. with culture.

Culture is taught.Culture is taught.

Language – The Language – The Foundation of CultureFoundation of Culture

Language is the primary way of Language is the primary way of passing our culture along to passing our culture along to others.others.

After the flood, man had one After the flood, man had one language and one culture.language and one culture.

HumanismHumanism

The belief that human The belief that human thought and values, rather thought and values, rather than religious thoughts than religious thoughts and values, should be the and values, should be the central focus of culture central focus of culture and that humans can and that humans can solve their own problems solve their own problems alone-without God.alone-without God.

Humanists believe that Humanists believe that mankind can bring world mankind can bring world peace if each person peace if each person allows all others to live as allows all others to live as they choose. they choose.

Humanists consider Humanists consider Christians to be the worst Christians to be the worst offenders of this train of offenders of this train of thought. thought.

Christians are taught that God’s Christians are taught that God’s Bible is THE ABSOLUTE guide to Bible is THE ABSOLUTE guide to life.life.

Christians believe that all people Christians believe that all people must repent of their sins and must repent of their sins and change their life to model that of change their life to model that of Christ and reject any expression Christ and reject any expression of culture that does not match the of culture that does not match the Bible’s standard.Bible’s standard.

After the flood, man did not After the flood, man did not scatter and fill the world with scatter and fill the world with people. Instead he chose to people. Instead he chose to stay together on the plains of stay together on the plains of the Euphrates River.the Euphrates River.

They became a humanistic They became a humanistic society. They began building a society. They began building a worship center, the Tower of worship center, the Tower of Babel, to promoter their man Babel, to promoter their man centered culture.centered culture.

The people of Babel were defying The people of Babel were defying the Creation Mandate the Creation Mandate andand were were living a human centered living a human centered existence.existence.

God punished the people of Babel God punished the people of Babel by confusing their language.by confusing their language.

As a result, the people scattered As a result, the people scattered and began to create their own and began to create their own unique cultures.unique cultures.

Wherever mountains and oceans Wherever mountains and oceans separated people, a new culture separated people, a new culture and language developed.and language developed.

There are approximately sixty-six There are approximately sixty-six hundred languages spoken in the hundred languages spoken in the world today.world today.

Speech patterns within a language Speech patterns within a language can often vary considerably. can often vary considerably. These speech patterns are called These speech patterns are called dialects.dialects.

Sometimes, different Sometimes, different languages are so similar languages are so similar that they are mutually that they are mutually understandable. understandable.

For example: Those who For example: Those who speak Portuguese can speak Portuguese can understand Spanish with understand Spanish with very little difficulty.very little difficulty.

10 Main Language 10 Main Language FamiliesFamilies

Indo-EuropeanIndo-European - 50%- 50% Sino-Tibetan – 22%Sino-Tibetan – 22%Malay-Polynesian – 6%Malay-Polynesian – 6% Afro-Asiatic – 5%Afro-Asiatic – 5%Niger-Kordofanian – 5%Niger-Kordofanian – 5% Dravidian – 4%Dravidian – 4%Japanese/Korean – 3%Japanese/Korean – 3% Uralic & Altaic – 3%Uralic & Altaic – 3%Austro-Asiatic – 1%Austro-Asiatic – 1% Nilo-Saharan – 0.2%Nilo-Saharan – 0.2%

Other 1% - Approximately 11 other sub Other 1% - Approximately 11 other sub groups. Including Native languages.groups. Including Native languages.

Each of those families has Each of those families has subfamilies.subfamilies.

For example:For example:

““Germanic” is a subfamily of Indo-Germanic” is a subfamily of Indo-European. It includes German, European. It includes German, English, Swedish, Norwegian.English, Swedish, Norwegian.

““Romance” includes Latin, French, Romance” includes Latin, French, Spanish, and ItalianSpanish, and Italian

Primitive societies relied Primitive societies relied on word of mouth to on word of mouth to transmit their culture.transmit their culture.

Advanced societies have Advanced societies have written languages to written languages to keep more accurate and keep more accurate and complete records.complete records.

Before 1900, less than 10% Before 1900, less than 10% of the world was literate.of the world was literate.

Now, around 75% of the Now, around 75% of the world’s population can read. world’s population can read.

Most developed countries Most developed countries have a literacy rate of have a literacy rate of grather than 95%.grather than 95%.

Mandarin, Hindi, and Mandarin, Hindi, and Spanish have more NATIVE Spanish have more NATIVE speakers, but English is the speakers, but English is the leading “second” leading “second” language.language.

The United Nations uses two The United Nations uses two main languages for its main languages for its primary documents-English primary documents-English and French.and French.

Culture also refers to Culture also refers to distinctive ways of doing distinctive ways of doing things that are easily things that are easily recognizable and recognizable and associated with definable associated with definable regions or groups.regions or groups.

A A culture regionculture region is a society is a society that shares the same basic that shares the same basic culture.culture.

Cultural regions are similar, but not Cultural regions are similar, but not the same as continents.the same as continents.

Eurasia is the exception-it is divided Eurasia is the exception-it is divided into four main culture regions. into four main culture regions.

Two of those regions, Central Two of those regions, Central Eurasia and the Middle East sit at Eurasia and the Middle East sit at the crossroads of the world and the crossroads of the world and have been the focus of conflict have been the focus of conflict throughout history.throughout history.

Human institutions have diverged Human institutions have diverged from the purpose of glorifying from the purpose of glorifying God to two extremes:God to two extremes:

Glorifying groupsGlorifying groups

Glorifying the individualGlorifying the individual

Typically, Eastern civilizations value Typically, Eastern civilizations value the group, and Western the group, and Western civilizations value the individual.civilizations value the individual.

FamilyFamilyThe foundation of society is the The foundation of society is the

family.family.

Every society honors the central role Every society honors the central role of the family.of the family.

Western culture focuses on the Western culture focuses on the nuclear nuclear family – man, wife, children.family – man, wife, children.

Eastern culture focuses on the Eastern culture focuses on the extended extended family – nuclear family family – nuclear family plus grandparents, uncles, aunts plus grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.and cousins.

Fallen societies often take family Fallen societies often take family responsibility to extremes – responsibility to extremes – ancestor worship, poligamy…ancestor worship, poligamy…

Western culture overemphasizes Western culture overemphasizes the individual, leading to many the individual, leading to many broken families. broken families. – Abortion and illegitimate Abortion and illegitimate

children in the name of women’s children in the name of women’s rights.rights.

– Divorce in the name of human Divorce in the name of human rights.rights.

ReligionReligion

A belief regarding the A belief regarding the supernatural person or supernatural person or power that has created and power that has created and sustained the universe. It sustained the universe. It also encompasses the also encompasses the system of practices used to system of practices used to show reverence to that show reverence to that person or power.person or power.

Religion gives a people its Religion gives a people its sense of purpose in life. It sense of purpose in life. It provides a set of beliefs and provides a set of beliefs and a formal code of conduct a formal code of conduct about how a person should about how a person should worship and live. worship and live.

Religion – or lack of religion – Religion – or lack of religion – guides other expressions of guides other expressions of culture such as holidays, culture such as holidays, dress and food preparation.dress and food preparation.

With so many religions, many wonder With so many religions, many wonder how they can find out what is true. how they can find out what is true.

The Christian view offers satisfying The Christian view offers satisfying and consistent answers to man’s and consistent answers to man’s problems. Humans are sinners. God problems. Humans are sinners. God sent His only Son to die for their sent His only Son to die for their sins. He rose from the dead three sins. He rose from the dead three days later. He longs for all people to days later. He longs for all people to believe and receive the free gift of believe and receive the free gift of eternal life.eternal life.

NationNation

A large group of people with A large group of people with a common history and a common history and language who have language who have developed a strong sense developed a strong sense of identity.of identity.

Country – the land of the people.Country – the land of the people.State – institution that governs the State – institution that governs the people.people.Tribe – large group, usually with a Tribe – large group, usually with a common ancestor, usually common ancestor, usually governed by elders.governed by elders.Nation-state – a nation that has Nation-state – a nation that has established its own government.established its own government.Empire – when one nation rules Empire – when one nation rules over another.over another.Multinational states – governments Multinational states – governments that rule over other nations.that rule over other nations.

Political maps show boundaries Political maps show boundaries of a state around its people, of a state around its people, regardless of culture.regardless of culture.

Political boundaries – mark the Political boundaries – mark the limit of a states authority.limit of a states authority.

Natural boundaries – Natural boundaries – rivers/mountainsrivers/mountains

Geometric boundaries – follow a Geometric boundaries – follow a geometric point or follow lines of geometric point or follow lines of latitude and longitude.latitude and longitude.

Civil war – when the people Civil war – when the people within a state’s borders within a state’s borders fight their own fight their own government.government.

International wars – when International wars – when independent states fight independent states fight each other.each other.

II.II.Demography – study of human Demography – study of human

populations and their populations and their characteristics.characteristics.

Vital statistics – official records of Vital statistics – official records of birth, death, marriage, divorce…birth, death, marriage, divorce…

Census – official government Census – official government counts of people and populations.counts of people and populations.

Surveys – Counts of small samples Surveys – Counts of small samples of total populations. of total populations.

Crude birthrate-number of children Crude birthrate-number of children per one thousand people.per one thousand people.

Crude death rate – number of Crude death rate – number of people who die each year per one people who die each year per one thousand people.thousand people.

Rate of natural increase – Subract Rate of natural increase – Subract the number of deaths by the the number of deaths by the number of births. number of births.

Life expectancy – number of years Life expectancy – number of years a person can expect to live.a person can expect to live.

Infant mortality rate – rate of death Infant mortality rate – rate of death among children. This is found by among children. This is found by comparing the number of live comparing the number of live births to the number of infants births to the number of infants who die in their first year.who die in their first year.

The lowest infant mortality rate is The lowest infant mortality rate is in Singapore – 2.29in Singapore – 2.29

The US infant mortality rate is 6.5The US infant mortality rate is 6.5

Urbanization – the growth of urban Urbanization – the growth of urban areas at the expense of rural areas at the expense of rural areas. areas.

Suburbs – an area between the Suburbs – an area between the urban and rural areas that offers urban and rural areas that offers a proximity to urban benefits but a proximity to urban benefits but without the problems.without the problems.

Population density – average Population density – average number of people who live on number of people who live on each square mile of land.each square mile of land.

Arable land – land that can be used Arable land – land that can be used to plant crops.to plant crops.

Physiological density – total Physiological density – total population compared to the population compared to the arable land. arable land.

IIIIIIWhen the flood waters receded, and When the flood waters receded, and

Noah stepped off the ark, God Noah stepped off the ark, God instituted human instituted human government.government.

Government – rule of man over Government – rule of man over man.man.

God gave rulers the power of life God gave rulers the power of life and death for the purpose of and death for the purpose of restraining violence. To show the restraining violence. To show the value of human life. value of human life.

The Bible defines the duties of the The Bible defines the duties of the government. Its basic government. Its basic responsibility is to preserve order responsibility is to preserve order and protect its citizens from and protect its citizens from violence by promoting good and violence by promoting good and punishing evil. punishing evil.

Justice – system of laws and courts Justice – system of laws and courts to settle disputesto settle disputes

Defense – police force to protect law Defense – police force to protect law abiding citizens from domestic abiding citizens from domestic criminals and a military force to criminals and a military force to protect against foreign attack. protect against foreign attack.

Authoritarian governments hold Authoritarian governments hold power by claiming an authority power by claiming an authority higher than the people they govern.higher than the people they govern.

Monarchy – one ruler/king or queen, Monarchy – one ruler/king or queen, given authority at birth.given authority at birth.Absolute monarch rules as he Absolute monarch rules as he pleases. pleases.

Dictatorship – a person rules by Dictatorship – a person rules by authority of military. Allow no authority of military. Allow no opposition to their actions.opposition to their actions.

Totalitarian – Government makes Totalitarian – Government makes decisions about ALL aspects of its decisions about ALL aspects of its people’s lives.people’s lives.

Some authoritarian Some authoritarian governments claim to be governments claim to be democracies. democracies.

The true test of a government The true test of a government “for the people” is free, fair, “for the people” is free, fair, and regular elections.and regular elections.

Elected governments rely on the Elected governments rely on the consent of the people to keep consent of the people to keep their position.their position.

Pure democracy (direct) originated in Pure democracy (direct) originated in Greece. Every adult male citizen Greece. Every adult male citizen could vote on every law and issue could vote on every law and issue that came before the government.that came before the government.

Modern nations are too large for a Modern nations are too large for a pure democratic government to be pure democratic government to be possible. Today’s democracy is possible. Today’s democracy is based on an indirect or based on an indirect or representative system. The people representative system. The people elect representatives to speak for elect representatives to speak for them. The people are allowed to them. The people are allowed to voice their opinions or run for office. voice their opinions or run for office.

The most common form of modern The most common form of modern democracy is a limited or democracy is a limited or constitutional constitutional monarchy. monarchy.

People have limited power of the People have limited power of the monarch by law. He/she is more monarch by law. He/she is more of a figure head. of a figure head.

The other type of representative The other type of representative democracy is a democracy is a republic. republic. Republics elect their national Republics elect their national leader who supervises the leader who supervises the bureaucracy while the legislature bureaucracy while the legislature writes laws. writes laws.

Every nation is concerned about Every nation is concerned about its relations with other nations. its relations with other nations. The set of principles guiding a The set of principles guiding a governments international governments international relations is called relations is called foreign foreign policy.policy.

There are two ways to solve There are two ways to solve disputes:disputes:

war or negotiationswar or negotiations

Nations influence others by Nations influence others by foreign trade, foreign aide foreign trade, foreign aide or threat of military attack.or threat of military attack.

Active troop strength-Active troop strength-number of full time number of full time soldiers.soldiers.

Annual defense spending – Annual defense spending – amount spent on military amount spent on military technology.technology.

Powerful nations often vie for Powerful nations often vie for cultural and political cultural and political leadership over their weaker leadership over their weaker neighbors.neighbors.

They consider these neighbors They consider these neighbors to be their to be their sphere of sphere of influence.influence. They wish to They wish to influence their decisions.influence their decisions.

According to annual defense According to annual defense spending. The United States is the spending. The United States is the only Super Power in the world. Do only Super Power in the world. Do you believe this to be true?you believe this to be true?

Alexander the Great, with less Alexander the Great, with less than fifty thousand men defeated than fifty thousand men defeated a Persian army of more than a a Persian army of more than a quarter of a million men by quarter of a million men by relying on high discipline and relying on high discipline and superior tactics. superior tactics.

The US is a capitalist The US is a capitalist nation that thrives on nation that thrives on trade. Therefore the trade. Therefore the spread of capitalism spread of capitalism and freedom is vital to and freedom is vital to our our national interests.national interests.

The first concern of US foreign The first concern of US foreign policy is the seven leading world policy is the seven leading world powers that have the most powers that have the most influence on world politics. (not influence on world politics. (not in order)in order)

1.1. RussiaRussia2.2. FranceFrance3.3. The United KingdomThe United Kingdom4.4. GermanyGermany5.5. ItalyItaly6.6. ChinaChina7.7. JapanJapan

The US is also concerned over The US is also concerned over militarized states.militarized states.

These countries have a large These countries have a large number of soldiers and spend a number of soldiers and spend a large portion of their GDP on large portion of their GDP on weapons. These nations may be weapons. These nations may be poor, but they are dangerous.poor, but they are dangerous.

KoreaKorea

PakistanPakistan

IndiaIndia

Another area of concern are Another area of concern are the nations that oppose the nations that oppose the role of the US as a the role of the US as a super power and reject super power and reject democracy and capitalism.democracy and capitalism.

The most dangerous of these are The most dangerous of these are rogue nationsrogue nations. These nations . These nations ignore the principles of ignore the principles of international relations, use international relations, use terrorism, chemical weapons, and terrorism, chemical weapons, and any means necessary, even any means necessary, even against their own people…against their own people…

The two most common types are The two most common types are Communist countries like China Communist countries like China and radical Muslim nations like and radical Muslim nations like Iran.Iran.

Diplomacy – Art of negotiating Diplomacy – Art of negotiating agreements between nationsagreements between nations

Treaties – Formal agreements Treaties – Formal agreements between nations.between nations.

NATO – North Atlantic Treaty NATO – North Atlantic Treaty OrganizationOrganization

UN – United NationsUN – United Nations

Major kinds of treaties:Major kinds of treaties:

Peace treaties Peace treaties

Military alliancesMilitary alliances

Security CouncilSecurity Council

Five major allies of WWIIFive major allies of WWII

United StatesUnited States

United KindgomUnited Kindgom

FranceFrance

ChinaChina

RussiaRussia

These five countries hold the These five countries hold the reins of power in the UN. They reins of power in the UN. They are the permanent members are the permanent members of the Council and any one of of the Council and any one of them can veto decisions of them can veto decisions of the General Assembly. the General Assembly. Therefore, the UN cannot Therefore, the UN cannot make important decisions make important decisions without support from these without support from these five countries.five countries.

Because of Russia’s veto vote, the Because of Russia’s veto vote, the UN has been unable to step in UN has been unable to step in during dozens of military wars during dozens of military wars that Russia supported. that Russia supported.

It was America’s military It was America’s military involvement that helped to involvement that helped to contain communism and bring contain communism and bring about the final collapse of the about the final collapse of the Soviet Empire.Soviet Empire.

The UN has proven itself weak in The UN has proven itself weak in acting against rogue nations.acting against rogue nations.

According to the principle of According to the principle of self-self-determinationdetermination, all peoples have , all peoples have the right to vote for the type of the right to vote for the type of government they will have. government they will have.

All nations are not made up of the All nations are not made up of the same people. Therefore, it is same people. Therefore, it is possible that the possible that the territorial territorial integrityintegrity of nations is at risk of nations is at risk

Territorial integrity-defensible Territorial integrity-defensible borders.borders.

Another flaw in Enlightenment is Another flaw in Enlightenment is that it fails to recognize that that it fails to recognize that God in His sovereignty has God in His sovereignty has established each government. established each government. People should live together People should live together despite their differences. despite their differences.

The root problem is man’s sinful The root problem is man’s sinful heart. The only solution to world heart. The only solution to world strife is a miraculous change of strife is a miraculous change of heart.heart.