Differences between Conformist and Populist mentalities
Today I want to explain the differences between conformist and populist mentalities. As I observe the cultural differences between North America (Populist mentality) and East Asia (Conformist mentality), I find the social norms of each society differs drastically from each other.
So, for starters, what is a conformist? And what is a populist?
Let’s assume that there is something large scale happening in a society, some kind of phenomenon or activity that is becoming a general accepted social norm… For example, wearing a mask in order to prevent COVID in 2020.
A Conformist would say:
Everybody is doing this, you have to…… !
And a Populist would say:
Everybody is doing this, would you like to…… ?
People with conformist mentality tend to stay inside a group. They are unwilling to stick out, unwilling to be excluded. When conformists decide to do something, peer pressure is usually the reason behind their actions.
On the contrary, populists simply believe in popular ideas. Their actions are based on their free will, but they tend to follow the mainstream. “A popular idea is definitely a good one.” This is usually how populists perceive the world around them.
Populists are not constrained by conformity, as the community they are in simply does not enforce ideas on everyone.
And I’d like to point out a crucial difference between the two mentalities, choices. Populists are given choices to choose from, but conformists are not. Conformists force others to join them. Populists ask others to join them. It’s about the freedom of choice.
For a country like China, conformist mentality is so strong that government acts as the enforcing machine of social norms. Peer pressure isn’t as strong as government propaganda, and the people there are devoid of freedom of choice. Their conformity comes directly from the total control of the government, which is far worse than countries like Japan and Korea, where conformity is a thing, but not as strong as to eliminate personal freedom.
The more conforming a society is, the less freedom people have in that society.
So, for starters, what is a conformist? And what is a populist?
Let’s assume that there is something large scale happening in a society, some kind of phenomenon or activity that is becoming a general accepted social norm… For example, wearing a mask in order to prevent COVID in 2020.
A Conformist would say:
Everybody is doing this, you have to…… !
And a Populist would say:
Everybody is doing this, would you like to…… ?
People with conformist mentality tend to stay inside a group. They are unwilling to stick out, unwilling to be excluded. When conformists decide to do something, peer pressure is usually the reason behind their actions.
On the contrary, populists simply believe in popular ideas. Their actions are based on their free will, but they tend to follow the mainstream. “A popular idea is definitely a good one.” This is usually how populists perceive the world around them.
Populists are not constrained by conformity, as the community they are in simply does not enforce ideas on everyone.
And I’d like to point out a crucial difference between the two mentalities, choices. Populists are given choices to choose from, but conformists are not. Conformists force others to join them. Populists ask others to join them. It’s about the freedom of choice.
For a country like China, conformist mentality is so strong that government acts as the enforcing machine of social norms. Peer pressure isn’t as strong as government propaganda, and the people there are devoid of freedom of choice. Their conformity comes directly from the total control of the government, which is far worse than countries like Japan and Korea, where conformity is a thing, but not as strong as to eliminate personal freedom.
The more conforming a society is, the less freedom people have in that society.
1 个评论
Excellent article !
Imo, when mentioning Conformist, Populist, I would suggest adding 2 more " Socialist and Communist ".
You hit the head on the nail about Choices, but equally important if not more is the Free Will to choose. Without that, any people/ organization/ country can give you plenty of meaningless choices.
Let's go back to China, what about choosing among Xi, Wang 73, Wang Huning.............
Just my 5 cent only!
Imo, when mentioning Conformist, Populist, I would suggest adding 2 more " Socialist and Communist ".
You hit the head on the nail about Choices, but equally important if not more is the Free Will to choose. Without that, any people/ organization/ country can give you plenty of meaningless choices.
Let's go back to China, what about choosing among Xi, Wang 73, Wang Huning.............
Just my 5 cent only!
