Communication Between Cultures

ideological divide behind these differences is primarily between secular and religious

beliefs, and those on either side of the arguments show little inclination to seek a

middle ground. Varied ideologies have also resulted in a period of U.S. political dys-

function as liberals and conservatives have been unable to find common ground on

such issues as capital punishment, climate change, gun control, healthcare, immigra-

tion, the role and size of government, social welfare, and a host of others. In the

absence of some form of compromise, according to one distinguished U.S. scholar,

this gridlock trend is likely to continue unless some extraordinary event can break

the deadlock.^27

Russian History

Probably the most striking feature of Russian history is geography. The largest country

in the world, Russia is almost twice the size of the United States, encompasses eleven

time zones, and stretches across the entire northern tier of the European and Asian

continents. The severe climate and vast distances of the Russian steppes and forests,

coupled with a lack of any major north–south geographical barriers, have greatly

influenced the history and culture of the Russian peoples. The sheer enormity of

their country created a people who“would rather settle down by a warm stove,

break out a bottle of vodka, and muse about life.”^28

The lack of any significant barriers to east–west movement has historically left the

country vulnerable to invasions by armies from both Europe and Asia. The Russian

“Motherland” (Rodina) has been invaded and occupied by Mongols, Germans,

Turks, Poles, Swedes, French, Japanese, and English—subjecting the Russian peoples

to war, persecution, and intense suffering. Cities have been brutally occupied and cru-

elly governed, with the population of entire towns and villages slaughtered. Conse-

quently, Russians have developed a perception of the world that frequently

incorporates distrust of outsiders.^29 To illustrate this sense of national paranoia,

Monuments are often
used to create a
culture’s historical
memory by
highlighting the
suffering, hardships,
and victories.

Courtesy of Edwin McDaniel

168 CHAPTER 5•Cultural History: Precursor to the Present and Future

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