ORIGINAL PASSAGE
Culture, in human societies, has two main aspects; an external, formal aspect and an inner, ideological aspect.
The external forms of culture, social or artistic, are merely an organized expression of its inner ideological aspect, and both are an inherent component of a given social structure. They are changed or modified when this structure is changed or modified and because of this organic link they also help and influence such changes in their parent organism. Cultural problems, therefore, cannot be studied or understood or solved in isolation from social problems, i.e. problems of political and economic relationships. The cultural problems of the underdeveloped countries, therefore, have to be understood and solved in the light of the larger perspective, in the context of underlying social problems. Very broadly speaking, these problems are primarily the problems of arrested growth; they originate primarily from long years of imperialist – Colonialist domination and the remnants of a backward outmoded social structure. This should not require much elaboration European Imperialism caught up with the countries of Asia, Africa or Latin America between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. Some of them were fairly developed feudal societies with ancient traditions of advanced feudal culture. Others had yet to progress beyond primitive pastoral tribalism. Social and cultural development of them all was frozen at the point of their political subjugation and remained frozen until the coming of political independence. The culture of these ancient feudal societies, in spite of much technical and intellectual excellence, was restricted to a small privileged class and rarely intermingled with the parallel unsophisticated folk culture of the general masses. Primitive tribal culture, in spite of its child like beauty, had little intellectual content. Both feudal and tribal societies living contagiously in the same homelands were constantly engaged in tribal, racial, and
religious or other feuds with their tribal and feudal rivals. Colonialist – imperialist domination accentuated this dual fragmentation, the vertical division among different tribal and national groups, the horizontal division among different classes within the same tribal or national group. This is the basic ground structure, social and cultural, bequeathed to the newly liberated countries by their former over-lords.
VOCABULARY
Ideological: Relating to or based on a particular set of ideas, beliefs, or principles.
Contagiously: In close proximity or contact, often referring to the coexistence or interaction of different societies or groups.
Subjugation: The act of bringing someone or something under control or domination, often through force or oppression.
Homelands: The native or ancestral lands of a particular group of people or community.
Feuds: Long-standing conflicts or disputes between individuals, groups, or communities, often characterized by hostility and ongoing tensions.
Imperialist: Referring to a policy or practice of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, domination, or control over other nations or territories.
Colonialist: Relating to the establishment and control of colonies by a foreign power, often involving exploitation and imposition of cultural, economic, and political systems.
Outmoded: No longer in fashion, use, or practice; outdated or obsolete.
Folk culture: The traditional beliefs, customs, arts, and practices of a particular community or group, often passed down through generations.
Primitive: Referring to an early stage of development or a simple, basic, or rudimentary form.
Bequeathed: In the context of the text, "bequeathed" means to pass down or leave something, such as traditions, characteristics, or aspects of culture, to the succeeding generations. It implies the transmission or inheritance of cultural elements.
Subjugation: "Subjugation" refers to the act of bringing someone or something under control or domination, often through force or authority. In the text, it is used to describe the state of being controlled or oppressed by a more powerful entity, such as during colonial or imperialist rule.
Arrested Growth: "Arrested growth" suggests a situation where development or progress has been halted or stunted. In the text, it is used to describe the problems faced by underdeveloped countries due to a lack of progress or development, often attributed to historical factors like colonialism.
Organic Link: An "organic link" in this context refers to a close and inherent connection between different aspects of culture and society. It suggests that cultural and societal elements are interconnected and influence each other, and changes in one aspect can affect the other
MAIN POINTS
Culture has external and internal aspects, with external forms being expressions of the inner ideological aspect.
Cultural problems cannot be understood or solved in isolation from social, political, and economic issues. Underdeveloped countries' cultural problems stem from years of imperialist-colonialist domination and outdated social structures.
European imperialism froze the social and cultural development of these countries until they gained political independence.
Feudal and tribal societies coexisting in the same regions often engaged in conflicts, which were exacerbated by colonial domination.
PRECIS
Culture in human societies comprises external and internal aspects: the former involving social and artistic expressions, and the latter representing ideology. These facets are intricately linked with the prevailing social structure, evolving alongside structural changes. Cultural issues are inseparable from broader sociopolitical and economic contexts. For underdeveloped nations, cultural challenges stem from prolonged imperialist-colonialist dominance and outdated societal structures. European imperialism arrested socio-cultural progress until these nations gained political sovereignty. Colonialist-imperialist rule worsened social divisions among tribes, nations, and classes. The newly liberated countries inherited this fractured social and cultural framework from their former oppressors.
SUGGESTED TITLES
Imperialism and Cultural Fractures
Cultural Intersection
Ideological Dynamics
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