Hofstede’s Culture Dimensions
The research conducted by Hofstede was helpful in formulating a theory about world cultures. He argued that world cultures differ along regular essential dimensions. Hofstede published the study focusing on highlighting the primary patterns of beliefs, emotions, and acting. He noted that these primary patterns developed from late childhood. Hofstede asserted that cultural distinctions exist in a culture’s options of “symbols, heroes/heroines, rituals, and values” (Mindtools). Hofstede formulated “five dimensions of culture” from the study as discussed below.
Power distance reveals the extent to which a culture considers the distribution of powers in governments and organizations. It also concerns the analysis of decisions made by people holding power within the governments or organizations (Mindtools). More happiness is eminent among people in high power distance cultures with a superior status gap. Conversely, little happiness exists among people in less advanced power distance cultures. Climate, population, and wealth allocation are applicable in forecasting power distance within different societies (Mindtools). Indicatively, power distance outcomes manifest in family norms, the interaction between learners and tutors, and between youths and older persons. Language classifications and organizational processes also manifest the power distance outcomes (Mindtools).
Collectivism vs. individualism illustrates the degree to which individuals depend on and express their obligation to self-identify or societal togetherness principles. The predictors for this cultural dimension include economic development and climate (Mindtools). Individualism characterizes people living in wealthy countries with cold climatic conditions. On the contrary, collective and togetherness lifestyles are eminent among people in poor nations with warmer climatic conditions (Mindtools).
Femininity vs. masculinity shows the extent to which a society values certain personality attributes such as boldness, accomplishment, wealth creation, or caregiving. Hofstede argued that people who have high masculinity index (MAS) are compared to possessing male attributes such as greater achievements. Conversely, cultures with low MAS have little trust in accomplishments but more caregiving attributes and sympathy (Mindtools). Climate applies in the prediction of femininity vs. masculinity cultural dimension. He associated masculine cultures to warm climatic regions and feminine cultures to areas towards the Arctic. The cultural dimension promotes male dominance in high MAS cultures (Mindtools).
Uncertainty avoidance tells the level to which people in any civilization feels exposed. This may emanate from uncertain circumstances. The attempts to evade the uncertain circumstances require the creation of more structure. The high values on the uncertainty avoidance index (UAI) shows tolerance for confusing circumstances (Mindtools). The cultures that exhibit UAI prefer to evade uncertainty and conflicts as societal value and have aspirations for harmony.
These cultures favor official regulations because uncertainties increase anxiety (Luger 4). The cultures with low UAI values show greater tolerance for confusing circumstances and ambiguity. They also promote divergent views within the membership and promote risk-taking attitudes towards innovativeness. Therefore, a country that scores high UAI such as Russia indicates that they are uncomfortable with uncertainty and confusing situations (Mindtools). Conversely, a society with high UAI depicts a growing modernization associated with rapid changes. Furthermore, a society with high UAI tends to create several rules to manage social behaviors (Mindtools).
Long vs. short – term orientation describes the rapid economic expansion occurring in Asian countries. The cultural dimension is associated with the selective encouragement of a specific set of principles found in Confucian wisdom (Mindtools). The teachings promote the expansion of money making activities and opportunities through a sense of indignity and following the society’s hierarchy.
Russia Score of 95 in UAI
Uncertainty and confusing situations are eminent in Russia as shown by the high UAI score. The score reveals that the Russians feel very uncomfortable with the uncertain situations in their country (The Hofstede Centre). Indicatively, Russia has undergone difficult situations in the past. Apparently, the challenges have increased uncertainty and confusion among the residents. The application of policies and regulations to control social activities remains common. Furthermore, the use of law enforcement agencies to control people has escalated the feelings of anxiety (The Hofstede Centre). Russia has different challenges pertaining to human rights issues, the economy, and democracy. Indicatively, these challenges escalate because of government activities and decisions.
Human rights Problems
Human rights violations in Russia are a major predicament that has persisted. Human rights defenders in the country are susceptible to persecution, brutal assaults, and killings. The massacre of three activists in 2009 has gone unpunished. This has escalated anxiety in the country. The unexplained death of whistleblowers such as journalists and anti-corruption crusaders escalates uncertainty. Furthermore, the government has failed to provide an official explanation to the public on the progress of investigations (Human Right Watch). Anxiety has also increased because of many hate crime incidents. The government appears unable to control the situation.
Russians also lack freedom of assembly. Police always disperse people who attempt to hold peaceful demonstrations (Human Right Watch 47). The government’s counterinsurgency response to the rebellious attacks on the North Caucasus has created more anxiety. The government has continued to use torture and extrajudicial killings that violate Russians fundamental rights (Human Right Watch). The creation of a law that prohibits the adoption of Russian children also highlights the extent to which the government is going in order to suppress the rights of her people (David).
Political Problems
The political situation has continued to raise confusion in the country. The government declined to list fresh political parties in 2011 to play a part in the parliamentary elections (Charles). The elections body for Russia created discriminating guidelines. The rules largely limited full participation of observers in the electioneering process. The rules also prohibited Russian nationals from working with international elections monitoring team. The legal environment in Russia also hinders the participation of civil society organizations in the electioneering processes (Jenny).
There has been a noticeable infiltration of the elections processes by the Russian government. The government uses illegal means in order to influence election outcomes. These include widespread use of public resources and engagement of the state officials in campaigns (Jenny). The constitutional rights of the residents are normally violated during political activities. The political processes in Russia have never been free, fair and democratic.
Economic problems
The widening gap of inequality between diverse Russian classes characterizes the economic challenges. Rich people continue to amass wealth. Conversely, poor people suffer increased poverty because of economic inequalities. This situation has escalated anxiety and confusion in the country. Russians have started expressing their dissatisfaction (Stephan and Andrew). The Russian economy also suffers low efficiency associated with diminished labor output. Capital efficiency is a major problem in the country and largely hinders economic expansion prospects.
Furthermore, the economic uncertainty created by inflation in the country presents additional challenges (Stephan and Andrew). Corruption activities have made the Russian marketplace worthless. The economic predicaments have escalated unemployment. The problems emerging from unemployment includes poverty and hunger. These are likely to continue should the weak economy extend into the future (Stephan and Andrew).
Discuss the Uncertainty Future for Russia
From the ongoing discussions, Russia has faced many economic, political, and human rights predicaments that have threatened to derail the growth of the country. The last elections have put in place a new leadership that is likely to bring little reform in the country.
Works Cited
Charles, Clover. Election uncertainty leaves Russia paralyzed. FT Europe, 2011. Web.
David M. Herszenhorn and Andrew E. Kramer. Russian Adoption Ban Brings Uncertainty and Outrage. NY times, Web.
Human Right Watch. Human Right in Russia. 2012. Web.
Human Right Watch. Russia: Worst Human Rights Climate in Post-Soviet Era. The Blog, 2013. Web.
Human Rights Watch 2013, Laws of Attrition Crackdown on Russia’s Civil Society after Putin’s Return to the Presidency. 2013. Web.
Jenny L. Ravelo, Uncertain Future for NGOs in Russia. Devex. Web.
Luger, Elisabeth. Hofsteede’s Cultural Dimensions. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH, 2009. Print.
Mindtools. Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions. Web.
Nichol, Jim. Russian Political, Economic, and Security Issues and U.S. Interests. 2013. Web.
Stephan Mergenthaler and Andrew Bishop. Russia’s economy: A great run but an uncertain future. World Economic Forum. 2013. Web.
Steve Rosenberg, Mass protests in Russia put Putin under pressure, BBC News. Web.
The Hofstede Centre. National culture: countries. 2010. Web.