Cultural Connections on Individual Journeys
What do I currently believe about liberal democracy? Initially, I struggled to answer this question. What was causing my mental block? It is the word “liberal.” I grew up in a conservative Christian home. The word liberal was not used positively. Liberal defined people who believe things counter to the Bible, who want to have the freedom to live in sin without any accountability to God, and who will try to destroy traditional Christian values. I now live in an Islamic Republic. Social values in this country are also conservative, traditional, and driven by religion. My Muslim neighbors would probably have a similar view of liberalism as I grew up with, but with liberals being those with beliefs counter to the teachings of Islam. In both contexts, I have had to wrestle as someone on the outside, not fully buying into all the social norms of those conservative cultures. I respect the beliefs and values of tradition, authority, stability, connection, family, and community. I also value change, autonomy, free speech, and giving a voice to the marginalized, which is counter to the traditional, conservative ideology. My deep beliefs stem from a desire to be who God made me to be as an individual, uniquely gifted and called to make an impact for God’s glory on the communities He has called me to serve.
Returning to the original question, what do I believe about liberal democracy? I believe liberal democracy allows citizens to have a say and a choice in how they live as individuals and in the influence of governmental regulation on the whole of society. A liberal democracy identifies and seeks to rectify injustices and social discrepancies and provides structure and governance without overbearing rule.
Patrick Deneen, in Why Liberalism Failed, discusses how liberalism has socially and philosophically led to the destruction of community, culture, and the environment in its efforts to try to promote freedom and thriving within these realms. I was specifically drawn to his arguments concerning culture and community, especially chapter three, “Liberalism as Anticulture.” According to Deneen, cultures and traditions have allowed mankind to develop a relationship with nature within the realm of community.[1] The social norms and values seen in these cultures and traditions lead to natural limits for the individual within their communities. These cultural limits inhibit the individualism valued in liberalism.[2] Conflict results when individual autonomy clashes with the traditional community values and beliefs. This confirms what I knew prior about liberalism and have seen firsthand in the conservative cultures in which I have lived. A palpable tension develops when an individual’s aspirations 
counter those of the greater community and culture. This causes tension, disunity, and disruption in family systems and within society. In the African society where I live, there is strong social pressure on women to wear a certain style of covering. It is a 6-meter-long body wrap. The younger generation desires to replace this restrictive garment with something more modern and freeing. However, the mothers and grandmothers of society hold to traditions, using shame and guilt to keep the young ladies in the traditional garb. Liberalism would argue that these women should be able to choose what they wish to wear as individuals. The community desires to maintain the distinctive dress worn by generations of their Saharan nomadic ancestors.
I believe that liberalism can have a balance between the pressures of traditional culture and individual desires, fostering both autonomy and community. In the example of women’s clothing, women could be free to wear traditional dress or other styles without either decision having extreme negative consequences for the individual or society they are part of. Deneen counters this belief, stating that in trying “to liberate the individual from embedded cultures, traditions, places, and relationships, liberalism has homogenized the world in its image.”[3] He goes on to call this aspect of liberalism anticulture. He claims that liberalism destroys cultural norms and beliefs due to their “oppressive” nature. Still, instead of freeing the individual, a monoculture has developed is essentially anticultural.[4] Deneen’s solution to this anti-culturalism caused by liberalism is to develop new methods rather than developing new theories. He states, “What we need today are practices fostered in local settings, focused on the creation of new and viable cultures, economics grounded in virtuosity within households, and the creation of civic polis life.”[5]
I agree that we need to develop better practices in moving forward. In the post-colonial society where I live, I see the daily discord between the community’s cultural traditions and the individual liberalism that globalization has brought into the country. What is my response as a Christian? I resonate deeply with Jim Wallis’s call to Christians to seek change and restoration in all dimensions of society: the family core unit, community neighborhoods, and worldwide.[6] In addressing American politics, Wallis suggests rather than choosing a specific political side, there is another possibility:
“[This option] is traditional or conservative on issues of family values, sexual integrity, and personal responsibility while being very progressive, populist, or even radical on issues like poverty and racial justice. It affirms good stewardship of the earth and its resources, supports gender equality, and is more internationally minded than nationalist—looking first to peacemaking and conflict resolution regarding foreign policy questions.”[7]
This perspective provides a balanced political view that can also be applied to liberalism, culture, and community. It values individuals God fearfully and wonderfully made, stewards the land and possessions He gives us, and seeks His Kingdom first. Finding this balance allows one to respect traditional cultures and values exhibited in the community while allowing God to guide and direct each individual on their journey with Him.
[1] Patrick J. Deneen, Why Liberalism Failed, Kindle ed. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2018), 70-71.
[2] Ibid, 76.
[3] Ibid, 17-18.
[4] Ibid, 66.
[5] Ibid, 197.
[6] Jim Wallis, God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It, Kindle ed. (New York, NY: HarperSanFrancisco, 2008), 384.
[7] Ibid, 74.
About the Author
Kari
Kari is a passionate follower of Jesus. Her journey with Him currently has her living in the Sahara in North Africa. With over a decade of experience as a family nurse practitioner and living cross-culturally, she enjoys being a champion for others. She combines her cross-cultural experience, her health care profession, and her skills in coaching to encourage holistic health and growth. She desires to see each person she encounters walk in fullness of joy, fulfilling their God-designed purpose. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ESV20 responses to “Cultural Connections on Individual Journeys”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Kari,
You talk about the pressures that muslin girls have to wear the traditional head coverings. Deneen talked about how the communal pressure can be beneficial. He mentioned how this is true when Amish teens/young adults make their decision whether to join the church. What benefits if any do you see in some the pressure that is placed on Muslims?
Thanks for your question, Jeff. One of the positives I see is the responsibility put on the family unit to care for one another. Children live with their parents until they can afford their own house or money is collected to build an addition to the family home. As parents retire, the children chip in to ensure they have money for food, internet, transportation, etc. It is unheard of that someone would be sick and alone at the hospital or at home.
Hi Kari, Thank you for your thoughts in the post. I particularly liked your reference to Jim Wallis and his ideas on when/what to be conservative about and what is a good reason to take the liberal approach. It sounds as though his differentiation resonated with you. How does this work within your current setting?
Peace.
Great question, Diane! Wallis’ values definitely come from a Western ideology. In my context, I have found peacemaking (different from peacekeeping) and healthy conflict resolution, even if using a more direct, Western perspective, go a long way towards building relationships and having constructive conversations about differing opinions and ideas. For example, personal responsibility and stewardship are not values in my host context. However, when there is a trusting relationship, I have seen people be more open to changing their ideology on these issues.
Hi Kari, I wondered if I would be in your photo, but I quickly spotted myself by my very white feet. In an interview with “First Things” magazine, Deneen refers to what he calls “despotism of custom” (the oppressive influence of traditional customs, conventions, and social norms that stifle individual freedom, creativity, and progress). I believe we see this in our context. How do you encourage the women in our context to pursue personal desires while also maintaining respect for their community?
Elysse,
That was the first thing I noticed were how white those feet were 🙂
Kari,
I appreciate the dive into the cultural differences here. In your current setting, you are not living in a liberal democracy. Are there aspects of the political environment that welcome some of the hallmarks of liberal democracy, like individual freedoms, equality of others, etc?
Hi Adam That is a great question and complex to answer. There is definitely a desire within the country for equality, especially for the treatment of black Africans, women, and children, freedom of speech and choice. However, the current laws and political corruption have kept this from being supported by the local government.
Elysse, can I suggest a henna treatment to help hide those white feet?! I try to encourage women to embrace who God made them to be in their context. This starts with understanding their strengths and weaknesses, how they think, and how they thrive within the realm of their community. Hmmm, you have me thinking perhaps this may become part of my NPO project!
Great post, Kari. I appreciate your integration of your local politics. You (and Elysse) bring a unique perspective to this group. I’m grateful for that.
How does the work you do strengthen the good things about the culture you’re in and at the same time challenge the cultural norms?
Thank you for your encouragement, Graham. Our work philosophy is to respect and appreciate the host culture and build trust to challenge the areas that do not bring dignity and worth to people nor glory to God. It starts with first having a curious learner’s perspective in which we can see, enjoy, and learn from the host culture. Asking questions rather than accusing is an excellent way to respectfully bring awareness to areas that (I believe) need to change in the culture.
Hi Kari, You suggest a balance between respecting traditional cultural values and promoting individual freedoms. How can liberal democracy meet this objective?
Hi Daren, Deneen would probably say liberalism has created that gap. Personally, I think an environment that emphasizes the individual’s unique purpose within the greater good and community can cultivate that balance.
Kari, I love the photo, and it’s always fun to read about the cultural differences you experience daily. Having lived in the U.S. and Mauritania, what is one cultural or faith element that is currently in practice in each country that you would love to see the other country embrace?
Hi Jennifer, This is a fantastic question; thank you. I would love to see my host culture embrace the freedoms of religion and worship that we have in the US, allowing people to choose what they believe without fear of cultural or political repercussions. Americans could learn a lot from the hospitality, generosity, and care of the community seen in Mauritanians. If I have a flat tire or car problems, it will only take minutes for several people to stop to help me. When I visit someone, even spontaneously, I will always be offered something to drink, even if it is just water.
Kari, I appreciate your perspective, which is drawn from your current context. You discuss the tension between individual autonomy and traditional community values, particularly in the post-colonial society where you live. How do you think Christian principles can guide the balance between respecting cultural traditions and fostering individual freedom that honors God and the community?
Great question, Chad. Just this morning I was reflecting on Galatians 5 and how it really is through walking in the Spirit that we can find that healthy balance. Jesus was a great example of seeing individual people in the middle of crowds (Zacheus, the woman bleeding, the woman at the well). He also spoke up against cultural norms but at the same time loving those at all levels of society.
Hi Kari, thanks for your post. I’m always intrigued by your posts, especially when they include your perspective as a woman living in north Africa.
What parts of north African culture have you adopted as your own that are different from your upbringing?
Hi Christy, I love this question. Arabic and African culture have helped me learn the value and importance of hospitality and those little details you can show to make your guests feel special. I have also fully embraced welcoming people to make my house theirs–putting feet on the furniture, sprawling on the floor, taking a nap, etc. It might mean your “stuff” wears out faster, but that sacrifice shows value and acceptance to one’s guest. Lastly, this independent woman has learned to readily accept the help of men when it comes to changing a tire or carrying my groceries out. I CAN do both myself, but if they want to help keep me from exerting the effort, why not?!
Hi, Kari, thank you for your post and your discussion on the intersection of community, culture, tradition, family and liberalism. In my country, we are modeling our government after U.S. Democracy, and competing alongside it are, influences from traditions and cultures within the community as well.
So, my question for you is now that your are experiencing others cultures and traditions, what would be the best practice for making liberalism work with other cultures and traditions? Thank you. By the way, nice photo. You and Elysse blended in.
Hi Noel, Thank you for your kind comments. My host country is modeling its government after France, and we see similar tensions. In my opinion, best practice is to identify the values of the culture(s) represented and then allow the community to determine how (or if) those can be guarded and protected in a liberal democracy.