Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dealing with Cultural Differences

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Effective Civil-Military Interaction in Peace Operations

  • 554 Accesses

Abstract

Cultural differences between the military and civilians can result in a wide range of problems ranging from minor issues causing daily friction to life threatening problems. Cultural challenges not only affect interactions with the local population, however, but also cause problems in working with international civilian partners in the area. This chapter provides the soldier with concrete guidance on how to recognize and respond appropriately to cultural differences before they become detrimental to the mission. Combining anthropological research on culture with practical experience in planning, teaching and training for cultural aspects in military operations, the author identifies five key dimensions of culture that must be considered in conducting successful operations: people’s interaction with their environment, their economic relationships, their social and political structures, and their belief systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Batson, C. (2014). Successful application of operational culture dimensions in Najaf, Iraq. In P. Holmes-Eber & M. M. Mainz (Eds.), Case studies in operational culture (pp. 25–26). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilas, J. F. (2009). Developing the Iraqi Army: The long fight in the long war. In P. Holmes-Eber, P. M. Scanlon, & A. L. Hamlen (Eds.), Applications in operational culture: Perspectives from the field (pp. 49–78). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bordin, J. (2011) A crisis of trust and incompatibility: A Red Team study of mutual perceptions of Afghan National Security Force Personnel and U.S. Soldiers in understanding and mitigating the phenomena of ANSF -committed fratricide-murders, N2KL Red Team, U.S. Army.http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB370/docs/Document%2011.pdf

  • Boré, H. (2006). Cultural awareness and irregular warfare: French army experience in Africa. Military Review, LXXXVI(4), 108–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christmas, B., & Holmes-Eber, P. (2012). Leadership, ethics and culture in COIN operations: Case examples from Marjeh, Afghanistan. In C. Connelley & P. Tripodi (Eds.), Aspects of leadership: Ethics, law and spirituality (pp. 13–38). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeFrancisci, L. J. (2008). Money as a force multiplier in COIN. Military Review, LXXXVIII(3), 21–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dill, E. (2014). The dilemma of female detainees. In P. Holmes-Eber & M. M. Mainz (Eds.), Case studies in operational culture (pp. 43–44). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Headquarters, Department of the Army. (2007). Joint civil affairs and joint civil military operations planning guide GTA 41-01-004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Immel, A. (2014). Permission to coordinate: There must be homage to authority in Ecuador 2009–10. In P. Holmes-Eber & M. M. Mainz (Eds.), Case studies in operational culture (pp. 63–64). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCoy, A. W. (Ed.). (2009). An anarchy of families: State and family in the Philippines. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, C. (2014). Operational culture challenge on the Fallujah Peninsula. In P. Holmes-Eber & M. M. Mainz (Eds.), Case studies in operational culture (pp. 11–13). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mwikisa, P. W., & Dikobe, M. M. (2009). Stories and literature in culture as sources of indigenous insights in peacebuilding and development. Journal of Peacebuilding and Development, 4(3), 46–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paterson, P. (2008). Darfur and peacekeeping operations in Africa. Military Review, LXXXVIII(4), 14–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Posey, M. J. (2014). Gender as a cross-cultural operational challenge and opportunity in Afghanistan. In P. Holmes-Eber & M. M. Mainz (Eds.), Case studies in operational culture (pp. 45–46). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose, N. (2014). Understanding the environment and social structures—Keys to unlocking access to indigenous Australian communities for the Army. In P. Holmes-Eber & M. M. Mainz (Eds.), Case studies in operational culture (pp. 3–6). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubenstein, R. A. (2005). Intervention and culture: An anthropological approach to peace operations. Security Dialogue, 36(4), 527–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salmoni, B. A., & Holmes-Eber, P. (2011). Operational culture for the warfighter: Principles and applications (2nd ed.). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shea, R. (2014). Mirror imaging the Afghan local police: Environmental considerations for the development of indigenous police forces. In P. Holmes-Eber & M. M. Mainz (Eds.), Case studies in operational culture (pp. 57–58). Quantico: Marine Corps University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smart, A., & Hsu, C. L. (2007). Corruption or social capital? Tact and the performance of Guanxi in market socialist China. In M. Nuijten & G. Anders (Eds.), Corruption and the secret of law: A legal anthropological perspective (pp. 167–189). Burlington: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. AID and Office of Military Affairs. (2010). Tactical conflict and planning assessment framework, PowerPoint. www.oss.net/…/2010-02-20%20TCAPF_Overview_w-notes_pages.ppt

  • U.S. Marine Corps Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning. (2010). CAOCL Survey 1, Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varhola, C. H., & Varhola, L. R. (2006). Avoiding the cookie-cutter approach to culture: Lessons learned from operations in East Africa. Military Review, LXXXVI(6), 73–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, E. (2012). The bones of the British lying in Maiwand are lonely: A Victorian battle and its continuing impact on Afghan memory. Marine Corps University Journal, 3(1), 35–68.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Paula Holmes-Eber

Authors
  1. Paula Holmes-Eber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paula Holmes-Eber .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague, The Netherlands

    Gerard Lucius

  2. Netherlands Defense Academy, Breda, The Netherlands

    Sebastiaan Rietjens

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Holmes-Eber, P. (2016). Dealing with Cultural Differences. In: Lucius, G., Rietjens, S. (eds) Effective Civil-Military Interaction in Peace Operations. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26806-4_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26806-4_13

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-26804-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-26806-4

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation