فصلنامه مطالعات فرهنگ - ارتباطات
پیاپی 8 (زمستان 1388)

Looking into two variables of "cultural invasion" and "cultural exchange" and describing logical and essential relations between them has always been the way to raise many questions. One of the basic questions is that concerning the present condition, the world of cultural invasion is present as an undeniable fact in the relations of nations and governments. How is it possible in such a cultural ground dominating international system to realize the conversation and exchange of cultures and remove the barriers present between these two variables having opposite relations with each other and pave the ground for understanding among cultures? Answering this question requires recognizing and defining the concepts of cultural invasion, cultural exchange, and the relation between culture and civilization. In addition, logical ways must be found for removing the social, cultural exchanges affected by the phenomenon of cultural invasion. In this study, it is hypothesized that cultural exchange needs its own language; a language which is able to create cultural understanding and remove misunderstandings in human communications. The dialogue of civilization is not possible under shadow of cultural invasion and confrontation, so the cultures are required to resort to positive efficiency of culture in order to enter into the conversation. It is hypothesized that cultural invasion has resulted in damage of many cultural exchanges of nations at present time and exists as a barrier for understanding among the present cultures. Confirmation of this hypothesis will be presented in two following parts: A. Clarifying the position of cultural invasion in the history of nations and stating the most profound principles, characteristics, and historical records of cultural invasion. B. Theoretical discussion on realization of an appropriate ground for cultural exchange and appropriate interpretation of cultures external efficiencies in order to remove the grounds of cultural invasion and contact. Familiarity with concepts of culture, civilization, and cultural invasion is an introduction to the main discussion of this paper

In recent decades and after the beginning of the independence movement and removal of colonization in the countries colonized by west powers, it was seen that some third-world and back-warded countries which were under the direct rule of west, gradually tore the chains of dependence and achieved political independence. Since then, we do not see the direct and multi-lateral presence of the great western powers in Asian and African and ex-colonized countries. But this is not the end of story; although there is no longer political hegemony and direct colony, other kind of domination and imperialism are imposed upon third-world countries. One aspect of imperialism which has been considered by researchers from previous decades is cultural imperialism. This article is aimed at finding answer to the question that how has the cultural imperialism been realized in newer forms such as media imperialism, information imperialism, cyber imperialism, etc. The aim of this study is briefly identifying cultural imperialism and stating the characteristics of post modern cultural colonization

The area of society economy and communications among nations emerged through reviewing traditional methods of thought and previous theories were seriously questioned and criticized so that the need for a modern international economic order was raised. Creation of international economical order depends on various scientific, cultural, and social factors which are considered within the issue of development. Focus on science and technology in the development has solved most of its problems; however, has resulted in other concerns like destruction of traditional cultures and degrading other forms of science. On the basis of these concerns, questions were put forward by developing countries showing serious ambiguities in the process of development such as: is it possible to generalize science and technology which have roots in the west culture to other cultures?

Through an interdisciplinary study, researching on culture was commenced that not only investigated culture in a traditional method of sociological approach, but also exploits basic theories such as semiotics, anthropology, etc. For, the social life is not merely limited to "objects" and "facts" which are considered as the phenomena of natural world; rather, social life includes a variety of ideas, values, beliefs, symbols, acts, speeches, texts, and their purposeful and creative creators who try to understand themselves and others through interpretation of what offer and receive, and recognize the meaningful social life. It is clear that deep understanding of various layers of culture requires its appropriate methodology and this, in turn, needs knowing the kinds of present methodologies and their assumptions, and knowing the capabilities of each method techniques of studying culture and cultural phenomena.

Post-structuralist approach to culture is the result of the thought deadlock in structuralist approach. Therefore, it must deconstruct the previous structures of structuralists, make the flexible, fluent, and evasive aspect of culture prominent, and in its genealogy and paleontology rely on "knowledge" and "power", respectively. In this regard, it claims that there are always forms of dominant discourse which are in contrast with forms of obstinate dialogues – or anti-discourse – and social arena is the ground for incessant confrontation of semantic networks. Thus, culture should not be imagined as if it is based on a principle and is under a central semantic system; rather, it is the result of struggles and challenges through which relativism is born

This paper aims at answering to the question that what are the tools and premises of cultural foresight construction? It is possible to answer this question in the light of theoretical knowledge and fundamentals of future study and introduction of the tools, the fourfold areas, and threefold issues of culture and civilization, as well as directing, feeding back, and applying them. Using library research method and a relatively comprehensive review of the factors influencing the formation of future, influential instruments are faced through the introduction and appropriate application of which it is possible to offer suggestions to form future condition in a way that desired and favorable events happen in the future as much as possible

Cultural and religious plurality and diversity is an evident fact which has been considered since long times ago. However, the important point that distinguishes the modern era from the past is not the question concerning the existence of their plurality; rather it is a question on the relation of the plural with their truth and salvation. This article, defining the concepts of cultural-religious plurality, attempts to answer this question

Since the difference between tradition and modernity is in their ontology and epistemology and a change in these elements transforms the elements of society, showing the hidden aspects of tradition and modernity as well as the actors of this scene and their reaction to the west, besides the anthropological recognition of these two trends are among the objectives of the present article. The debate between tradition and modernity has always been a serious and basic debate for the Iranians. Throughout history, Iranians have always been involved in these two issues, whether from the epistemological or from the biological perspectives. This debate always forms an aspect of human life. Today, the west which could make the Iranian "self" shaky through its knowledge and technology, tries to prove that we must not have an absolute and macro view toward tradition and expect it everything; rather we should converse with it through a rational view. In this situation, tradition and modernity can live with each other while presence of one does not lead to omission of the other