Discourses About Wildfire in New Jersey and New South Wales: Cultural Theory
A Brief Outline of Cultural Theory in General
The starting point of this research is cultural theory, in particular the "Grid-Group Cultural Theory" of anthropologist Mary Douglas. Cultural theory holds that people's discourses about various issues are intimately connected to their ways of life. Discourses serve to solve the problems raised in the discourse-proponent's relations to other people and the physical environment. These problems may be related to basic physical needs and economic gain; or of social integration, stabilization, and transformation; or of psychological needs for comprehension, identity-formation, and recognition by others.
Douglas' grid-group cultural theory proposes that there are four cultural orientations present in any society, which form the basis of disagreements over any particular issue:
Individualism asserts that the primary value is freedom, and that unfettered competition between self-interested and formally equal individuals is the best way to let talent rise to the top and earn its deserved rewards.
Fatalism's primary value is survival. Fatalists see the world as unpredictable and out of their control, and hence eschew long-term plans in favor of adaptation and coping.
Hierarchy promotes order above all else. Individuals are ranked -- by birth, expertise, or some other variable -- and hold differential responsibilities within society. Yet each part contributes in its own way to the good of the whole, so long as it doesn’t seek to rise above its station or neglect its duties.
Egalitarianism focuses on equality, at least within the group. Consensus, brotherly love, and xenophobia are Egalitarians' watchwords.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all of the organizations and individuals who participated in this research.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0526381. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.