There are many reasons to study and engage in intercultural communication. Since all people and cultures matter, everyone, notwithstanding their background or professional involvement, should be aware of basic cultural differences. Understanding the principles and values of intercultural communication can lead to the improvement of relationships on personal and national levels, as well as help avoid unethical situations. While the self-awareness, demographic, economic, technological, ethical, and peace imperatives are significant, the latter can be considered the most important, and the communicational imperative should also be considered.
One may say that all the listed imperatives depend on the peace one. In other words, if good interpersonal and international relationships are not managed through intercultural communication, there is no possibility of gaining benefits from all other areas. Achieving peace means that humans finally agree that they all have the same rights and there are no better or worse cultures. Ask: “Can individuals of different genders, ages, ethnicities, races, languages, socioeconomic statuses, and cultural backgrounds coexist on this planet?” (Martin & Nakayama, 2022, p. 28). Precisely intercultural communication allows them to do so, and when this peaceful coexistence is achieved, economic, demographic, and other matters become achievable as well. Finally, I would say that an imperative that is not discussed by Martin and Nakayama (2022) is the communicational one. Individuals improve their interpersonal and communication skills when studying and appreciating various cultures. Consequently, all other areas can also be enhanced if people simply begin to understand each other and respect their differences.
To conclude, interpersonal communication is one of the most significant fields in current societies. If its potential is used properly, all critical spheres can develop successfully and ethically. What is more, interpersonal communication brings not only international but also personal benefits, improving relationships on all levels. Although all imperatives are important, the peace one is the most critical because it ensures that communities can receive all other values.
Reference
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T. (2022). Intercultural communication in contexts (8th ed.). McGraw Hill.