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I was drawn by the headline: “We’re No. 1.” Aha, this must have something to do with modern values. [That’s what happens to you when you spend a great deal of time immersed in the values types]. I was a bit taken aback by the sub-head: “Why is India so crazy for world records?” I pushed on, as India is indeed on its journey to modern values – though a bit behind its faster-growing contemporary, China.
Modern values center around Maslow’s belongingness needs, that is, individuals desire to fit in with and be accepted by their peer group. On the national scale, it’s about fitting in with national counterparts. A stunning example was the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The pageantry was in effect a massive coming-out party for China in asserting its place as a powerful country – no longer of third-world status. India is not quite as economically developed and may be a bit behind in terms of modern values expression, thus my interest in signs. I’m not sure if having the world’s largest pair of functioning scissors, or having the individual will the most flags tattooed on his body (366), constitutes the most rigorous indicators, but it makes some sense. On a more serious note, India recently made history by became the first country to enter Mars’ orbit on its first attempt and also the first Asian country to reach Mars, in an article highlighting “India’s Impressive Space Program.” And of course, Obama just became the first US president to visit India twice.
Indeed, India is on the journey to modern values. And Hines
Andy – Nice find on this one! Having lived in Nepal-India for almost two years– in the 1990s I wonder what elements might create this #1 achieving value? There are elements of a Hero-focused culture in everything from Hindu myths to Bollywood films. Hero is a bicycle brand! An english word that everyone knows! Wondering if the #1 angle is more for love of spectacle and sense of a Hero completing a journey — than a modern values (Orange SDi) ‘achieve’ dynamic? There is certainly pressure to do well in school and on tests for many students– but the opportunity landscape as professional adults isn’t as developed. So it’s easier to achieve a record journey than what we might describe as achieving via ‘successful career’? Nice scanning find– I am curious to understand what is behind it! National pride for sure— though the diversity of cultures is more pronounced (or permitted) than China. Where do SDi or World Values folks say the research falls on India?
nice observation, Gary. The influence of culture remains powerful alongside the structural shifts of the values. Best I can tell from the data is that india is emerging out of traditional into modern, slightly “behind” china’s pace. There seem to be some improvements in working with WVS data, so maybe I can get some better numbers at some point.