Question No.1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. To answer the questions, you must have good understanding of all the concepts discussed under the head of “Culture.” Word limit: 750 words. (15 marks) When it comes to human rights, the issue of cultural relativism is widely discussed. Majority of the human rights literature encompasses the western and non-western argument on what best illustrates what human rights should be. As a result of these debates, comes the discussion of cultural relativism. Cultural relativism, at first glance, seems like quite a reasonable argument towards safeguarding different cultural groups. However, when we begin to analyze the cultural relativism theory, we come to find that it is not quite as reasonable or even as practical as it seems to be. Cultural relativism seems to not only ignore human rights violations, but actually seems to approve them. Furthermore, it hardly disapproves any cultural or religious practices. Cultural relativism ignores the necessity to oppose violations and other human rights, and also ignores the freedom of choice to do so. Despite how much humans have in common, cultural differences are far more prevalent than cultural universals. For example, while all cultures have language, analysis of particular language structures and conversational etiquette reveal tremendous differences. In some Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to stand close to others in conversation. North Americans keep more distance and maintain a large “personal space.” Even something as simple as eating and drinking varies greatly from culture to culture. The way cuisines vary across cultures fascinates many people. Some travelers pride themselves on their willingness to try unfamiliar foods, like celebrated food writer Anthony Bourdain, while others return home expressing gratitude for their native culture’s fare. Often, people in the United States express disgust at other cultures’ cuisine and think that it’s gross to eat meat from a dog or guinea pig, for example, while they don’t question their own habit of eating cows or pigs. Such attitudes are an example of ethnocentrism, or evaluating and judging another culture based on how it compares to one’s own cultural norms. Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906) described the term, involves a belief or attitude that one’s own culture is better than all others. Almost everyone is a little bit ethnocentric. For example, Americans tend to say that people from England drive on the “wrong” side of the road, rather than on the “other” side. Someone from a country where dog meat is standard fare might find it off-putting to see a dog in a French restaurant—not on the menu, but as a pet and patron’s companion. A good example of ethnocentrism is referring to parts of Asia as the “Far East.” One might question, “Far east of where?” A high level of appreciation for one’s own culture can be healthy; a shared sense of community pride, for example, connects people in a society. But ethnocentrism can lead to disdain or dislike for other cultures and could cause misunderstanding and conflict. *The above-mentioned passage contains excerpts from articles published by lumenlearning. com and UKessays. com. Q.1.a. How do you think that ethnocentrism is related with cultural relativism? Elaborate your answer with examples and logical arguments. (4 marks) . Ethnocentrism is the concept of one person's ethnicity is above all others' ethnicities. Example, my grandfather's ethnocentrism makes him believe that the religion he follows is the only true religion and make differences with the other religions. Here the person understands his ethnicity which is his religion is superior and above all others. Q1.b. Comment upon the statement “Ethnocentrism leads to a variety of conflicts between nations including wars.” Justify your answer with examples and logical arguments. (4 marks) Q1.c. Comment upon the statement “Cultural diffusion tends to reduce ethnocentrism.” Justify your answer with examples and logical arguments. (3 marks) Q.1.d. Has the widespread use of electronic communication technology (internet, mobile phones, social media, etc.) significantly reduced cultural lag? Elaborate your answer with examples and logical arguments. (4 marks)