David Brooks: "Americans are not hierarchical"
David Brooks
(Image from Wikipedia)
As an expat American living in "Dynamic Korea," and it is dynamic, I think a great deal about what makes a society successful because Korea is so different from America, and in ways that Americans think shouldn't work -- and we mean that not only descriptively, but even prescriptively! -- yet it does work. Counterintuitively, it does.
I still think the American system preferable, however, and for the reasons given by NYT columnist Davd Brooks in "The Crossroads Nation" (November 8, 2010) on why the place to be now and in the future is America:
You'll want to be there because American institutions are relatively free from corruption. Intellectual property is protected. Huge venture capital funds already exist.Each of these points makes for more flexible, creative thinking within the context of a culture of discussion that can catch errors before they wreak havoc. In Korea, the opposite is true for every one of these points. So how does Korea succeed, and succeed so well?
Moreover, the United States is a universal nation. There are already people there with connections all over the world. A nation of immigrants is more permeable than say, Chinese society.
You also observe that America hosts the right kind of networks -- ones that are flexible and intense. Study after study suggests that America is one of those societies with high social trust. Americans build large, efficient organizations that are not bound by the circles of kinship and clan. Study after study finds that Americans are not hierarchical. American children are raised to challenge their parents. American underlings are relatively free to challenge their bosses. In this country you're less likely to have to submit to authority.
That's what I want to know.
Labels: America, Creativity, Culture of Discussion, Korea
posted by Horace Jeffery Hodges @ 3:32 AM
22 comments
22 Comments:
In some respects Korea is still in the Robber Baron era. The chae-bols get their own way, but they do get a lot done, in the course of getting rich.
Much it grieves my heart to think...
America is one of those societies with high social trust. Americans build large, efficient organizations that are not bound by the circles of kinship and clan.
... because there's a third pattern: societies which are different from America AND don't work.
E.g. Italy
Since 1861.
Maybe so, TSI, but if so, then things might get difficult soon for Korea since it's leaving that era.
Jeffery Hodges
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And to think that the Romans ruled an efficient empire and made it work for hundreds of years . . .
Jeffery Hodges
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Interesting question.
I guess a lot depends on how you define successful, and what part of Korean society you are focusing on.
Take for instance the R&D sector in Korea. The hierachical nature of Korean society is highly beneficial when doing catch-up research (this is, incremental research) and development, and this is something Korea is obviously very good at (as the goal is clear). However, when it comes to original research and product development in Korea...
Anonymous, thanks for that comment. I can see how a hierarchical system can do very well in imitating the success of others for very specific tasks, e.g., constructing a better microchip, so long as one need merely improve the processes already at work. But for creativity, well, that's another story -- as you imply.
Jeffery Hodges
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Hi Jeffrey, I think you already know most of why. How are things going for you guys. Sue-Yeon and I (Jeff)are doing well with the restaurant, and all four boys are doing well. North Vancouver is very nice, but like most of BC, seems to have a grow-op on every block. Take care and stay out of trouble.
Jeff Joy
Thanks for the comment, Jeff. Good to hear things are going well for you two. We're fine, just getting older.
But I still do wonder why Korea succeeds against the odds . . .
Jeffery Hodges
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And to think that the Romans ruled an efficient empire
But they were not "natives", I mean: in their myths (the Aeneid) they came from Troy, i.e. from Turkey! Immigrants have always been the "salvation army" of this place: Celts, Franks, Arabs, whatever.
So, since my ideas are 19th-century right-wing ones, differently from the current right-wing parties, I think that the future belongs to the new peoples. We are bored and boring, whereas they are strong, they are angry, they are motivated, they endure, they stand, they try, they will succeed.
Would it be possible to elaborate on what you mean with "why Korea succeeds against the odds"?
Also, the success of Korea is relative, and it comes at a huge personal cost. See for instance the Korean diaspora and the high number of suicides in Korea...
I also read in an international magazine that Korea's success depends on the will and schemes of the superpowers: USA, Russia, China... because of its geographic position. A very dangerous and unstable condition.
Dario, perhaps the Italians merely need to recapture the sense of being Trojans?
Jeffery Hodges
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Anonymous, by "odds," I mean all those positive traits -- thematized by Brooks -- that Korea lacks.
Yes, the cost is high.
Jeffery Hodges
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Dario, I suppose that's true, Korea's fate is bound to the great powers.
Jeffery Hodges
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perhaps the Italians merely need to recapture the sense of being Trojans?
Yes, the ones who have some skill should do as the Trojans did: go abroad. Many professors, scientists etc. already did.
So what are you waiting for, Dario?
Jeffery Hodges
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Right! "In truth, in truth I tell you: there's more than a professor or a scientist here." A self-made sci-fi translator and self-proclaimed Miltonist, who in his free time writes haikus and draws aliens, and sings WWI songs in a choir. Mr President, the Congress, and the Tea Party finally agree, "Here's the man we were waiting for in order to solve our problems. Welcome!" I already know the sentence to quote on my arrival: "I have nothing to declare except my genius"...
If only you could run for President of the United States, all our problems would be solved.
The 'Birthers' would eject you, though, and not even a Bultmanian soteriology of transmigrated origins would circumvent their single-minded obsession.
Jeffery Hodges
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The 'Birthers' would eject you
The 'Deathers' would prove more dangerous.
:-)
I was born in Cuneo, a town that in Italy has the same fame as Montana from the standpoint of a Manhattan WASP. Could this help?
It means you're no elite, effete, intellectual snob.
Jeffery Hodges
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snob-snobbish
That's what borders are for.
Jeffery Hodges
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