Insularity as a core of ethnocultural identity (a comparative study of Great Britain and Japan)

Abstract

The formation of cultural characteristics of a nation as well as the peculiarities of its worldview and ethnic psychology are largely influenced by the geographical factor which comprises the location of a country, its climate, the access or absence of access to seas, oceans, etc. One of relatively new terms in the Russian and foreign humanities is “insularity” which is understood as “isolated origin,” or “island location,” or “the island effect.” The notion of insularity is not only constituted by the fact of geographic isolation, but it also includes certain cultural, political, and ethnocultural features. The study aims to analyze the effect of the geographic insulation of Great Britain and Japan on the formation of island mentality and specific socio-cultural characteristics of these two island nations. The authors discuss the defining role of the geographical factor in the formation of the aforesaid characteristics of the British and the Japanese. The article particularly focuses on the study of national character traits typical of the two insular cultures. The study argues that the insular location of Great Britain and Japan as well as the climatic and natural conditions of these countries not only predetermined the specifics of human settlement and their economy but also shaped the mentality and worldviews of the people inhabiting the islands. The key factor in forming the national identity of both the British and the Japanese is the image of the Other, the image of the enemy. The distinction between the Self and the Other has underpinned a number of key national values. At the same time, the insular cultures of the UK and Japan display certain differences. Japan is a country with a distinct hierarchical social organization in which respect for older people and superiors is a key cultural characteristic. In contrast, the UK has a less hierarchical individualistic society. Furthermore, Japan is more conventional from the point of view of its cultural and religious institutions, norms and values. In its turn, the UK is more modern and possesses an ability to flexibly incorporate other cultural traits and new ideas. Finally, Japanese culture focuses more on collectivist practices whereas the UK being partly under the influence of European mentality is more oriented towards individualism and personal freedom.