Opinion Paper - Rich/Strong Culture

Opinion Paper #1 – Rich/Strong Culture

For my opinion paper I have decided to define a ‘Rich’ culture, this is because I believe that for a culture to be strong is much easier than for it to be rich. In fact I would say that a culture needs to be strong as part of the requirement to be rich.

My definition of a ‘Rich’ culture would be defined as one with a great history, firmly rooted in its ways. It has an overall culture, but many other subsets to it, and is strong almost to a fault, unwavering.

The first, key part in a rich culture is a very poetic aspect; in the way that we would describe a food ‘rich’ with flavour we can also describe a culture. It has no tangible part but is still very apparent. It is the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. It’s not just history it’s a feeling of it. History I feel is a defining factor in a ‘Rich’ culture as it given’s life to it. A culture can be defined in many ways yet not have the same feeling. An example would be that of Serbia/Montenegro. Whilst there history is incredibly varied and detailed the countries themselves – having only recently (in the grand scheme of things) gained independence – don’t feel the same as some of the others in the area, they are stuck between embracing the past and trying to forge out a new culture of their own.

A perfect example though is in fact China; the country itself dates back thousands of years. Whilst the western world was still running around using rocks for tools they were learning to read and write, build a society (one rich with culture) and advance. Part of the reason for the countries early development lays no doubt, in its culture. The strict discipline and ultimate obedience – whilst morally questionable – would have helped forge an early people more concerned with where the next meal would come from toward a common goal.

Obviously this culture can be seen from the outside as one that has become very oppressive to its people, and it is a very valid point. However,...