Running Header: CULTURAL COMPARISON OF THE UNITED STATES AND

GERMANY 1

Cultural Comparison of the United States and Germany

Alexis Zeznanski
Dr. O
CIS 110 - 007
University of Kentucky

CULTURAL COMPARISON OF THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY

Abstract
The United States and Germany can be compared using Geert Hofstedes cultural
dimension comparison theory. Hofstedes theory compares cultures individualism, masculinity,
uncertain avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence. These dimensions of each of the
culture can be measured and defined using Hofstedes theory. Germany and the United States are
very similar using some of Hofstedes dimensions like masculinity, individualism, and long-term
orientation. Even though the United States and Germany are separated by an ocean and may have
different ideals and societies, they are comparatively the same.

CULTURAL COMPARISON OF THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY

Geert Hofstede created a cultural comparison theory based on six different dimensions:
power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and
indulgence. The United States and Germany can be compared using some of the dimensions of
masculinity, individualism, and long-term orientation. These comparisons explain how these two
countries can be similar and different.
Masculinity of a country can be measured by successfulness of power and wealth. It
focuses on heroism and has a competitive environment, especially in the workforce. It also can
be measured by gender differentiation. Usually masculinity is more authoritative and powerful,
while femininity can be described as submissive and caring. Since masculine countries focuses
on success, it creates a competitive environment, which then motivates people to be the best at
whatever they do. On the other hand, femininity of a country focuses on caring for others and is
measured by the quality of life. This type of environment motivates people to like what they do
for a living. Also feminine countries tend to have a more socialistic political view.
Even though the United States seems to be more masculine, it actual can be described as
a pendulum, it is both feminine and masculine. The United States has a free market and
competitive work environment causing a more masculine view. When it comes to the workforce,
women and men are equal, in theory. In the history of the United States, the model family was a
man who went to work and provided for the family while the woman was the caregiver and
maintained the house (Wu, 2006, p.40). Generation after generation different ideologies of a
modern family has been revised and gone against this social norm America once called Model
Family. A woman can go to work and have a higher status of power over a man in the
workforce.

CULTURAL COMPARISON OF THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY

Germany and the United States share similar masculinity traits. Germany is one of the
many masculine countries in Europe. It is considered masculine due to the competitive
workforce environment created by German corporations and businesses. Germany also focuses
on the men being in the most powerful in a household.
Another dimension used for cultural comparison is individualism versus collectivism.
Individualism can be measured by how people in a society value themselves over the
group/society. Individualism has a positive correlation with the country's wealth (Hofstede, 2010,
p. 79). When a country has a more of an individualized outlook, they value wealth and power
that is similar to a masculine value. Collectivism is more historical perspective than in the
modern, present world; however, there are still some collectivism cultures currently. When a
person in a group holds the group's welfare before himself, they are considered to be in a country
that has a collectivistic view.
The United States history is known for its collectivism; however, as more time has
elapsed, the United States has become a more individualistic country. The American dream is a
clear representation of individualism. The American Dream is supposed to focus on ones own
profit and stability, rather than their community or nation. In our present day in age some
representation of collectivism are the Hawaii, the Amish and other religious groups, and the
military because they value community, well being over others, and will protect their belief and
values.
Just like the United States, Germany has a highly individualistic perspective. They value
the wealth of one another rather than having wealth equally distributed. Also, Germany believes
in the right of privacy and that speaking ones mind is healthy (Hofstede, 2011, p. 11). A free
market and competitive environment encourages such individualism in these countries. Unlike

CULTURAL COMPARISON OF THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY

other countries in Europe like Portugal and Greece, Germany values work values over family
values. The difference of the business world in Portugal and Greece compared to Germany is that
Portugal and Greece value trustworthiness and building long term relationships within a
company is worth more to the business rather than profit and power (Hofstede, 2011, p. 11).
According to Hofstede, Long Term Orientation means valuing, for example, persistence
and thrift. Short Term Orientation pole means valuing face and respect for tradition
(Hofstede, 2007, p. 418). Long term-oriented countries value the future and having savings.
Short term oriented countries only think of the present and do not care about saving and spend
money. National debt has a positive correlation with short-term orientation.
By using the correlation between the national debt and short-term orientation, the United
States is clearly a short-term oriented country. In 2001, the U.S. gross public debt was about $6
trillion; a decade later it was $14 trillion; by the end of 2012 it exceeded $16 trillion (Dorn,
2013, 77). The United States borrow money and spend it right away and do not save to pay off
any of these debts.
Germany is similar to the United States when comparing their long-term orientation.
Germanys score of 36 indicated that it is a short-term oriented country (Hofstede, 1993, p. 91).
According to countryeconomy.com (2015), Germany is currently 2,170,001 millions of euros in
debt which means that they are short term oriented with their financials.
Even though an ocean separates the United States and Germany, they are very similar.
When it comes to masculinity they have the same perspective. Both countries can be considered
masculine, however the United States is both masculine and feminine. Germany is considered an
individual country, just like the United States. They value themselves over their in-group or
society. Short-term orientation is becoming more of a trend within our current world. Most

CULTURAL COMPARISON OF THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY

countries like the United States and Germany only care about the present and not the future, thus
creating high national debts. The United States and Germany are similar when compared using
Geert Hofstedes cultural comparison theory.

CULTURAL COMPARISON OF THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY

Reference Page
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