There are several instances where the birth of democracy can be traced back to ancient Greece.  “The Greeks are often credited with pioneering a democratic government that went on to influence the structure of the United States” (National Geographic Society, 2019).  Knowing how Greece ran their government in ancient times leads us to where the basis of the current U.S. democracy comes from.  The states in the U.S. are structured very much the same as what the Greeks called polis or city-state (NGS, 2019).  This is how the idea of the states came into play as they did not want to separate the colonies.  The states act much like the city states of ancient Greece in the idea that they are run separately yet they can band together to protect the country as a whole (NGS, 2019).

The way that laws are structured in the U.S. is based off of the ways that the ancient Greeks had their laws structured. “In ancient Greece the idea of rule of law came from the philosopher Aristotle’s belief in natural law. He claimed the existence of a higher justice in nature—certain essential rights—that superseded the laws written by humans” (NGS, 2019).  There is a lot of desire in the U.S. to have laws that protect such Human Rights.  The laws that we currently have stem from the idea that we should strive for justice and still protect the basic rights of the people that live here.

Even the way the government is structured is much like that of ancient Greece.  This goes even into how the constitution is structured much like The Constitution of the Athenians, both documents lay out the structure and the checks and balances that are placed to keep the government power in balance with the power of the people (NGS, 2019).  This is all in play so that no one person can come in and be above the law (NGS, 2019).There are reasons that these things have been put into place and we should always remember that they are there and that they are there for a reason.  It is important to remember that the Constitution is there in order know the rights that the people have and to remember that it is the law of the land and that it is there to help people with rights such as trial by jury and other similar rights.

There are even similarities in the way that the U.S. votes compared to that of the ancient Greeks (NGS, 2019).  The way that every citizen has a right to their own thoughts, and they all have some say in the laws that are passed (NGS, 2019).  This is something that has always been important to me and that I feel a lot of people take for granted.  I think that many of us are under the impression that what I do does not matter, but if we were to all think like that then it would not keep those that are in power in check.  I think that it is one of the most important things to remember that no matter what we do it has some effect in the bigger picture.  This being an election year really makes us take these things into perspective.

When the rights to vote were first set in place, they very much so resembled that of ancient Greece.  Only males over the age of 18 were permitted to vote for elected officials.  When it was first put into place in the U.S. only land-owning white males 18 and older were permitted to vote for those that would be elected into the representative democracy (NGS, 2019).  The idea of a representative democracy was where the idea of what is currently the U.S. Congress started.  The idea was that there should be officials that are elected to represent certain areas, this is how the electoral college came to be.  “The principles behind the ancient Greeks’ democratic system of government are still in use today” (NGS, 2019).  Many countries, not just the U.S. have similar systems that are created to give citizens that right to vote in someone that will represent them.  Around the world people everywhere are looking for a way to have a voice and it seems that the Greeks were some of the first to put this idea into play, I for one am glad that the idea has stuck and that I live in a county that practices it.

Resources

National Geographic Society. (2019, March 15). Greek Influence on U.S. Democracy. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/greek-influence-us-democracy/

There are so many differences across the world among politics, history and culture.  Brazil is one country that was under a monarchy which they overthrew in 1889, after trying different governances the one that worked best for them was democracy which they still practice today (Moran, 2014).  When Fernando Cardoso was elected he made several changes that are still helping the economy even today.  In 2002 a new president was elected and he was working toward reducing hunger in the country.  Although there were many accomplishments achieved over his first term there were many corruption scandals within the Workers’ Party (2014).  As we came into the twenty-first century Brazil was known as “a large democratic and stable society, rich in resources, with a strong economy” (2014, p. 345).

There are several things that Brazil has to offer, especially the Amazon. Recently this is something that has fallen through the cracks.  The current president, Mr. Bolsonaro has supported deforestation instead of hindering it, he has stated that he believes that the forest is slowing economic growth (Casado, 2019).  There is a lot that is being lost as he pushes forward with getting to cut down more and more trees. Casado stated, “Germany’s minister of economic cooperation and development, Gerd Müller, called protecting the Amazon a global imperative, especially given the rain forest’s vital role in absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, essential to the effort to slow global warming” (2019).  I personally do not think that the current president is thinking about the bigger picture but simply about how he can better his own personal gain.

The people that live in Brazil are from several different backgrounds and cultures.  Those that live in Brazil are young with over half of the population being under the age of 20 (Moran, 2014).  Those that live in Brazil are welcoming to all those that come to visit, “they are a warm, friendly, and emotionally sensitive people who are generous and receptive to foreigners” (Moran, p. 346).  Overall those that live in Brazil have very open views in everything that they do from religion to traditions.  Those that live in Brazil are very accepting and are a good example for others around the world.

The culture and greetings are much the same in Brazil as it is the Americas.  Brazilians tend to greet with a handshake, but they also are quick to greet with one or two kisses on the cheeks.  This is something that is usually between women and they will even give a third kiss that is thought to be good luck for single women in finding a husband (2014).  Often when talking to others they do not use Mr. and Miss along with their last name the way that we do in the US.  Those that are in Brazil often use first names accompanied with Lady or Mister (2014).  Another big thing in Brazilian culture is to always offer food to those that are around before eating it alone (2014).

Although the culture is different there is a lot that the rest of the world can learn from Brazil.  I think that some of the most important things that the rest of the world should take from the way that those that live in Brazil.  I think that the way that people treat each other in Brazil should be something that those in the rest of the world should take notes on.  I think that it is also the fact that those from Brazil being open to different culture and different ways of life is something that others should also follow.  There are many things that the rest of the world can learn from those in Brazil about how to treat others and to be accepting of those around us.

Resources

Casado, L., & Londoño, E. (2019, July 28). Under Brazil’s Far-Right Leader, Amazon Protections Slashed and Forests Fall. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/28/world/americas/brazil-deforestation-amazon-bolsonaro.html

Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing cultural differences. London: Routledge.

There are many different things to consider when doing business with Islamic countries.  There are a lot of differences as unlike the United States there is not a separation of church and state (Lesson 7).  Knowing that they follow the Qur’an as law means that the way they do business is different than the way we in the US are used to.  In Islamic countries their religion is as much law as it is religion, but it is also important to remember that not all areas interpret it the same (Moran, 2014).  There are several reasons as to why it is important to understand these differences of culture when doing business with Islamic countries.

One of things that is different is that they do not accept or charge interest (Moran, 2014).  This to me is something that is very different as I work in a bank and that is such a common question as to why people want to invest their money or get their loans from our place of work.  I think that considering this it would make less competition for such jobs as the one that I have.  I think that would lead to a lot more compassion which is something else that is big in Islam, you do not go after someone when they are down (Lagace, 2002).  I think that is something that if we in the US followed a little more would be us farther in the long run, it is also something that is important to remember when doing business with them as those that do business in the US can be ruthless.

Another thing that really makes you realize the difference of the culture would be that speaking English is a symbol of status (Lagace, 2002).  Those that do business have went to school in English speaking countries and take those that are trying to speak to them in Arabic as an insult to their abilities to speak English (Lagace, 2002).  This is something that one would know if they observe the culture and seek to understand what it is that they as a culture find important.  That just goes to show you how important it is to understand those that you are doing business and what is important to them to accomplish what one sets out to do.

I think that it is also important to remember how stereotyping can affect how different cultures are thought to be and how they really are.  Especially when it comes to Muslims, so much of the world has them stereotyped as terrorists due to most people only having exposure to Islam was from September 11, 2001 in New York City (Lesson 7).  This stereotype is just that, a stereotype as those that are truly following the Qur’an lead a peaceful life.  The thing with this is that people look at a known event and use that information when in the end it is actually atypical (Lesson 7).  This is something that is important to remember especially in the Muslim community as there are several different areas that all interpret the Qur’an differently and therefore knowing one area does not mean that you know them all (Lesson 7).  This is important to remember when doing business with any area as every are around the world will have its own take on how they feel things should be done.

I think that it is important to remember that all people are different and that one should always show respect and a desire to learn what type of culture that you are dealing with.  There is always more to doing business with other countries than just going in there and thinking that you know who you are talking to and what it is that they want.  There are so many different aspects to all cultures and it is important to remember that one must take time and work to understand them and what it is that they are looking for.

Resources

Lagace, M. (2002, February 4). How To Do Business in Islamic Countries. Retrieved from https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/how-to-do-business-in-islamic-countries.

Lesson 7: The Middle East: Focus on Saudi Arabia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/canvas/sp20/22011–17869/content/07_lesson/printlesson.html.

Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing cultural differences. London: Routledge.

When it comes to leadership one of the most important qualities would be good communication.  Moran stated, “The most basic skill that global leaders must cultivate is learning how to effectively communicate and listen cross-culturally” (Moran, 2014, p. 66).  Communication is defined as “a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior” (Communication, N.D.). Without proper communication companies can lose money.  It is incredibly important to remember with all the forms of written communications that take place today that there are contexts that can be misinterpreted.

There are also several things that can be misinterpreted between cultures.  Somethings are perceived wrong from city to city even.  One example would be chipped ham is a Pittsburgh, PA area thing and those that are not from this area have no idea what you are talking about when you go to a deli and ask for chipped ham. Even the use of the word pop or soda is something that differs from area to area.  This would be a reason to avoid slang terms which in some cases we don’t even realize are slang terms until we travel outside our own hometown.

Knowing when and how to use certain words or phrases and in what context is something that is very important.   The reason that this is so important is due to cultural diversity.  Different cultures have differences in the way that they communicate.  I think that this is something that needs to be thought of when talking to anyone.  We were all raised in different communities and things that are said are often taken in different contexts.  As discussed in our lesson there are often for error to occur when a message is being “decoded” (lesson 4).  I think this is something that is more likely to occur when you bring in the need for translation from one language to the next.

Communication is something that has become very personal to me due to having a child with Autism.  I have been to several conferences and communication is always something of a big topic.  The thing about people with Autism is that they often miss social cues.  Knowing this made it very easy to understand just how things can be easily misconstrued.  This was something that we went over several times, even simple things like “is he pulling your leg” meaning is he telling you something outlandish was hard for my son to understand.  Idioms are hard for some to comprehend, especially if they are not commonly used in their culture.

I also think that it is important to understand communication since there are so many different kinds especially in this electronic age.  There is everything from voice messages, to text messages, phone calls, video chat, there is also the need to understand different languages and sign language as well.  Communication is a part of everything that we do daily.  To spend an entire day without using some sort of communication would to me be a difficult task.  I feel even locked alone in a room I would find myself writing a letter or doing something that would be construed as communication even if it was not the immediate form of communication that we have come to know.

Resources

Lesson 4: Global Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/canvas/sp20/22011–17869/content/04_lesson/printlesson.html

Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing cultural differences. London: Routledge.

Hello,

My name is Heidi and I am a single mom.  I have an almost 10-year-old that is on the Autism Spectrum, which finds us at State College every year in August for a conference, well at least the past 4 years.  I currently reside near Pittsburgh, PA and have all of my life.  I am hoping to complete my degree at the end of this semester as long as all goes as planned.

I currently work at a local bank, but just recently have considered a venture into something completely different.  I am looking forward to this semester as the classes that I am enrolled in this semester.  I am a music lover and I enjoy everything about local music and everything that goes along with it.  I look forward to working with everyone this semester.

-Heidi Wallace