Cultural corruption

Nature

Debasement of culture in art forms, language, history, and ideology may arise during, and hasten the process of, ethnic disintegration; or it may constitute a decadent or sterile epoch in the course of cultural evolution. Cultural assets may be altered to suit a certain line of propaganda.

Incidence

The 1990s has seen the re-emergence of the 3 million Bassijis (formed in 1980 to recruit volunteers for Iran's war with Iraq) this time to fight cultural corruption in the form of videos, makeup, pop music and other forms of cultural decadence. They have been issued with uniforms, arms and are receiving regular military training, endorsed by Islamic clerics and headed by the former chief of staff of Iran's Revolutionary guards. Parliament has guaranteed members of the movement 40% of admissions to the country's universities.

Claim

Cultural corruption is a grave threat to society, eroding our values, traditions, and sense of identity. It manifests through the commodification of art, the distortion of history, and the manipulation of media, leading to a superficial understanding of our heritage. This insidious decay fosters division, ignorance, and apathy, undermining the very fabric of our communities. We must confront and combat cultural corruption to preserve our collective identity and ensure a vibrant, authentic future for generations to come.

Counter-claim

Cultural corruption is often overstated and distracts from pressing global issues like poverty and climate change. While some may lament the decline of traditional values, culture is inherently fluid and evolves with society. The real problem lies in addressing tangible injustices rather than fixating on perceived moral decay. Focusing on cultural corruption diverts attention from critical challenges that demand our urgent action and resources, making it a trivial concern in the grand scheme of human progress.