The Concept of National Culture

Abstract

The term culture has various meanings, all derived from the Latin meaning “which is the cultivation of soil.”¹⁴⁸ In today's colloquial language, culture is often used in the sense of “high culture,” perhaps better expressed by the German “Kultur,”¹⁴⁹ when referring to painting or classical music. Culture in the anthropological sense, however, is not restricted to these things, but comprises all products of human life. Further, culture does not only refer to “civilized” societies. All human groups are said to possess culture, even if they are considered “primitive”.¹⁵⁰