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.

Background

The global significance of cultural corruption emerged in the late 20th century, as scholars and international organizations observed the erosion of traditional values and practices under external influences, commercialization, and political manipulation. Heightened awareness followed reports of cultural homogenization and the exploitation of heritage for profit or propaganda. By the early 2000s, UNESCO and cultural watchdogs increasingly documented these trends, prompting debates on safeguarding intangible heritage and the ethical responsibilities of global actors.

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 and urgent problem that threatens the very fabric of society. When traditions, values, and artistic expressions are distorted for profit or power, we lose our collective identity and moral compass. This erosion breeds cynicism, weakens communities, and paves the way for further exploitation. Ignoring cultural corruption is not an option—addressing it is essential to preserving authenticity, fostering unity, and ensuring a just and vibrant future for all.

Counter-claim

The notion of "cultural corruption" is vastly overstated and distracts from real societal issues. Cultures naturally evolve and adapt, and labeling this process as "corruption" is alarmist and unproductive. Focusing on so-called cultural purity stifles creativity and progress. There are far more pressing problems—such as poverty, inequality, and climate change—that deserve our attention. Worrying about cultural corruption is simply not an important problem in today’s world.