ü Xenocentrism
Accordingly,
xenocentrism is the preference for another culture above one's own. Xenos is a
Greek term that signifies stranger or outsider. A person who practices
xenocentrism believes that other cultures are superior to their own and as a
result cherishes, among other things, the products, styles, ideas, and customs
of other cultures more than those of their own. The notion that one's own
culture or nation is superior to all others is known as ethnocentrism. People
who exhibit this mindset are said to have a form of tunnel vision that sets their
culture or nation at the center of existence.
Ø A Few
Illustrations of Xenocentrism
• Americans'
perception that Europeans make better automobiles
•
Renaissance artists in Europe sought to replicate ancient Greek art.
• Americans'
perception that wine from French or Spanish vineyards is superior to wine from
American vineyards
• The idea
that French cheeses are much better than American cheeses
• The idea
that Irish beer is of far higher quality than domestically manufactured beer
• Craving
another country's culture, such as that of Central America, where the structure
of the workday differs greatly from that of the United States.
• The idea
that people in one's own country should wear clothing that is markedly superior
to that of another culture.
• The idea
that toys made in other nations are superior
• The idea
that one cannot find a high-quality product in their country of origin
• The notion
that other countries produce cloth for clothing more effectively.
These
several situations each involve a preference for a different culture over the
culture of the native country.
Ø Ethnocentrism
vs. Xenocentrism: Differences
In contrast
to xenocentrism, which refers to a desire for items, fashions, or ideas from
another culture, ethnocentrism is the propensity to view the world
predominantly from the perspective of one's own traditional, delayed, or
adoptive ethnic culture.
Ø Xenocentricism's
effects
Examples of
Xenocentrism's negative effects include:
• Failure of
firms in the country of origin
• Job losses
in the country of origin
• A failing
economic position
• A general
decline in national morale
• Population
decline due to emigration
• Negative
effects on other people's cultural identities
• If practiced
by sizable groups of like-minded individuals, xenocentrism may result in
political polarization.
