As we saw previously, the possible explanation behind why some societies advanced more than others lays on two possible theories. The first, developed by Jared Diamond, argues that the environment is the principal agent behind how different societies developed. The second, explained by Lawrence E. Harrison, claims that the differences lie on certain cultural values and attitudes such as people’s sense of community, their ethical system, the exercise of authority and views about education and finances.
In Jared Diamond’s argument, climate, geographic location, the abundance of domesticable plants and animals, and mostly sheer environmental luck, catapulted some societies into the path of wealth and condemned others to poverty. According to his book, those regions that had the right environmental ingredients were able to get a head start and prosper before the rest of the world. Moreover, Diamond argued that because Europe and Asia were on the same …show more content…
Moreover, cultural differences explain why Japanese, Chinese and Jews minorities, with their impeccable work ethics and emphasis on education, have succeeded economically no matter the region of the world they settle in, even in the impoverished ones. The cultural argument also explains successfully how two countries, South Korea and Ghana, who had similar economies and comparable levels of GNP, ended up in completely different economic positions in a matter of thirty years. As Harrison and Huntington explained, South Korea became one of the largest economies in the world in part because of its emphasis on education, hard work, thrift, organization and discipline. The people from Ghana had different values
In Jared Diamond’s argument, climate, geographic location, the abundance of domesticable plants and animals, and mostly sheer environmental luck, catapulted some societies into the path of wealth and condemned others to poverty. According to his book, those regions that had the right environmental ingredients were able to get a head start and prosper before the rest of the world. Moreover, Diamond argued that because Europe and Asia were on the same …show more content…
Moreover, cultural differences explain why Japanese, Chinese and Jews minorities, with their impeccable work ethics and emphasis on education, have succeeded economically no matter the region of the world they settle in, even in the impoverished ones. The cultural argument also explains successfully how two countries, South Korea and Ghana, who had similar economies and comparable levels of GNP, ended up in completely different economic positions in a matter of thirty years. As Harrison and Huntington explained, South Korea became one of the largest economies in the world in part because of its emphasis on education, hard work, thrift, organization and discipline. The people from Ghana had different values