Values in Muslim Countries. A Review of Cultural Value Studies

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Problem setting

1.2. Objective

1.3. Structure of the thesis

2. Value Theory

2.1. The Definition of Value

2.2. Human Values and Cultural Values

2.3. Conceptual framework of major value studies

2.3.1. Rokeach

2.3.2. Hofstede

2.3.3. Inglehart - World Value Survey

2.3.4. Schwartz

2.3.5. The GLOBE Study

2.4. Comparison

2.4.1. Comparison of studies – different classification systems

2.4.2. Particular issues of Muslim values

2.5. Conclusion for the research

3. Method

3.1. Methodologies of major value studies

3.1.1. Hofstede

3.1.2. Inglehart - World Value Survey

3.1.3. Schwartz

3.1.4. The Globe Study

3.2. Countries covered

4. Results (supported by relevant research papers)

4.1. Hofstede

4.2. Inglehart - World Value Survey

4.3. Schwartz

4.4. The Globe Study

5. Discussion

6. Summary

Objectives and Topics

This thesis aims to investigate whether Muslim groups possess distinct shared cultural values compared to other religious groups. By analyzing major cross-cultural frameworks, the research seeks to determine if Islam exerts a primary cultural influence that allows Muslim populations to be distinguished from followers of other religions based on their value systems.

• Review of major 20th-century cultural value studies (Hofstede, Inglehart, Schwartz, GLOBE).
• Classification of Muslim countries and analysis of their cultural orientations.
• Comparative analysis of Muslim societies against control groups in similar geographic regions.
• Investigation of potential value differences between Shia and Sunni branches of Islam.
• Impact assessment of regional, climatic, and socioeconomic factors on cultural values.

Excerpt from the Book

Chapter Summaries

1. Introduction: Outlines the religious and socioeconomic context of Muslim societies and establishes the objective of identifying shared cultural values within these populations.

2. Value Theory: Provides a comprehensive overview of existing cultural value definitions and theoretical frameworks, including Rokeach, Hofstede, Inglehart, Schwartz, and the GLOBE Study.

3. Method: Details the research methodologies, data collection, and country selection criteria used to analyze the cultural values of Muslim countries compared to specific control groups.

4. Results (supported by relevant research papers): Presents empirical findings regarding the cultural dimensions of Muslim countries across the four primary value studies.

5. Discussion: Synthesizes the results, interprets discrepancies between the studies, and highlights the specific cultural deviations found in countries like Turkey and Iran.

6. Summary: Concludes the thesis by reiterating the presence of shared values among Muslim societies, such as collectivism and high hierarchy, while acknowledging individual differences.

Keywords

Islam, cultural values, Muslim societies, Hofstede, World Value Survey, Schwartz Value Survey, GLOBE Study, cross-cultural research, collectivism, power distance, religiousness, socioeconomic development, Sharia, Middle East, Southern Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this research?

The thesis focuses on identifying whether Muslim societies share distinct cultural values that can be differentiated from other religious groups using established cross-cultural frameworks.

Which major value studies are utilized?

The study utilizes the frameworks of Geert Hofstede, the World Value Survey (Inglehart), the Schwartz Value Survey, and the GLOBE Study.

What is the core objective regarding Muslim groups?

The goal is to determine if Islam as a dominant faith exerts a significant enough influence to create shared cultural patterns across diverse Muslim populations.

How is the methodology structured?

The research conducts a comparative analysis by grouping Muslim countries into clusters (Middle East and Southern Asia) and comparing them against regionally similar non-Muslim control groups.

What are the main thematic fields covered in the main body?

The analysis covers concepts like power distance, collectivism vs. individualism, masculinity vs. femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and future orientation.

Which keywords best describe the work?

The work is defined by terms such as Islam, cultural values, cross-cultural study, collectivism, and socioeconomic modernization.

How does the author treat the role of Sharia?

Sharia is analyzed as a foundational element that dictates social rules, legal systems, and daily behaviors, influencing the traditional nature of many Muslim societies.

Why are Turkey and Iran highlighted as special cases?

Turkey is noted for its industrialization and secular leanings, while Iran is distinguished by its Shia majority and specific hierarchical and humane orientation scores.

What do the findings say about collectivism?

The results consistently indicate that collectivism is a primary shared value across the analyzed Muslim societies, regardless of regional differences.

What are the identified limitations of the study?

The author identifies limitations regarding the age of some data sets, the scarcity of specific high-quality research on certain Muslim countries, and the variations in participation across the different studies.