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Naina Raturi's avatar

Loved reading this, a thought-provoking essay. India also presents a similar example of collective harmony. We have a saying, "adjust karo sabke saath", which translates to "adjust your own needs and accommodate other people's needs". There is something very passive-aggressive in the communication styles as well, that one should just anticipate how others would feel or perceive instead of oneself first, in my experience.

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Colin C's avatar

"As far as I am aware, this is an original theory of how ideals of collective harmony may shape cultural contestation."

The way you describe this theory, it seems blaringly obvious and surprising that no one else has posited it before. But I guess that's a testament to your success as a researcher and theorist to clearly describe and provide evidence for something that no one had put their finger on before.

But this raises the question: are there any techniques for implementing cultural change that are effective in cultures that value collective harmony?

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