ü Xenocentrism
Accordingly, xenocentrism is the preference for another culture above one's own. Xenos is a Greek term that signifies stranger or outsider. A person who practices xenocentrism believes that other cultures are superior to their own and as a result cherishes, among other things, the products, styles, ideas, and customs of other cultures more than those of their own. The notion that one's own culture or nation is superior to all others is known as ethnocentrism. People who exhibit this mindset are said to have a form of tunnel vision that sets their culture or nation at the center of existence.
Ø A Few Illustrations of Xenocentrism
• Americans' perception that Europeans make better automobiles
• Renaissance artists in Europe sought to replicate ancient Greek art.
• Americans' perception that wine from French or Spanish vineyards is superior to wine from American vineyards
• The idea that French cheeses are much better than American cheeses
• The idea that Irish beer is of far higher quality than domestically manufactured beer
• Craving another country's culture, such as that of Central America, where the structure of the workday differs greatly from that of the United States.
• The idea that people in one's own country should wear clothing that is markedly superior to that of another culture.
• The idea that toys made in other nations are superior
• The idea that one cannot find a high-quality product in their country of origin
• The notion that other countries produce cloth for clothing more effectively.
These several situations each involve a preference for a different culture over the culture of the native country.
Ø Ethnocentrism vs. Xenocentrism: Differences
In contrast to xenocentrism, which refers to a desire for items, fashions, or ideas from another culture, ethnocentrism is the propensity to view the world predominantly from the perspective of one's own traditional, delayed, or adoptive ethnic culture.
Ø Xenocentricism's effects
Examples of Xenocentrism's negative effects include:
• Failure of firms in the country of origin
• Job losses in the country of origin
• A failing economic position
• A general decline in national morale
• Population decline due to emigration
• Negative effects on other people's cultural identities
• If practiced by sizable groups of like-minded individuals, xenocentrism may result in political polarization.
