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Introduction: 

Theory/concept 1: Economic and Political Interdependence

Example 1: Political- How U.S always wants to be superior 

Example 2: Political- everyone is treated the same in French, Yellow Vest Movement 

Example 3: Economic-Rich get richer poor get poorer 

As one knows, interdependence means that something depends on more than one thing or person. Politically and economically speaking, countries can depend on or gain ideas from each other through effective communication. At other times, countries differ than others and are not dependent policy or economically wise. Being that Net neutrality is the main topic, one can see a big difference in policies based on countries such as France and the United States. While the United States is in the process of slowly getting rid of Net Neutrality, France is progressing in enforcing it. In the first example, the political aspect will be discussed on the United State’s liking of remaining in power whether it is through politics or economics. Through capitalism, the U.S. sees this as a big advantage for businesses all across the country because it means that the companies will be making more money. A majority can associate more money with power. With Net Neutrality, the U.S. clearly visualizes a market for companies to make money by charging what they like for the services which can be seen as good and bad for consumers. Some might feel this is unfair and caters to wealthy customers while others feel that it gives opportunities for smaller companies. France is using their best efforts to try and give equal access to all users because they see it as a right rather than a necessity. Through these different viewpoints, one can see how countries value certain topics differently. 

Theory/concept 2: Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is defined as judging another culture and believing that the values and standards of one’s own culture are superior especially in regard to language, behavior, customs, and religion. Every person has their own cultural values which can influence on what is considered right or wrong. This leads to certain cultures believing that their beliefs and perspectives are superior to others. Ethnocentrism can have a positive and negative attitudes in cultures. Positive attitude towards one’s own ethnic/cultural group and a negative attitude towards other ethnic/cultural groups. It’s a debate whether ethnocentrism is reasonable or unreasonable mostly because it doesn’t have much rational when it comes to making a decision rather than I think my way is right just because of how someone’s culture perspective. This plays a part on the net neutrality issue and what exactly France thinks is right compared to the US and what they think is right, especially since they have very distinct cultures. 

(George) America and European countries like France practice different in many aspects. One of these aspects is net neutrality. Net neutrality is the principle that an internet service provider (ISP) has to provide access to all sites content and application at the same speed, under the same condition without blocking or preferencing any content. Many consumer groups and tech support net neutrality because many of them argued that without net neutrality we could lose access to free and open internet. One big fear is that smaller companies and startups will not have the same opportunities to grow if internet service providers can pick and choose companies and services to favor in what is called “paid prioritization.'' Compared to the United States, France operates things complete opposite. France has a reasonable restriction on any explicit content online that involves children or minors. Material that can be viewed and considered as terrorist propaganda is also halted by internet service providers.

 Verizon says about Net Neutrality:It does not want the internet to be treated as a utility, in spite of how important access to the internet is of tens of millions of people to find jobs, get an education and connect with the community.

AT&T says about Net Neutrality:A page on AT&T's website states in large letters "We support an open internet." that seems to be in support of net neutrality.

Comcast says about Net Neutrality:Comcast says it loves net neutrality. Comcast customers will continue to enjoy all of the benefits of an open internet today, tomorrow and in the future.  

Example 1: What U.S. Thinks 

Example 2: What French Thinks

Example 3: 

Theory/concept 3: Hofstede Power Distance (Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory)

Example 1: Both have power distance 

Example 2: uncertainty avoidance

Example 3:U.S. Federal Communication Commission and French President;Power belongs to the people 

Gilt Hofstede, a Dutch psychologist, worked in the human resources department at IBM. His role there was to recruit talented individuals from around the world and that required examining their ability to handle crises, coordination of work, and their responsiveness to authority. The content of the questionnaire was very complex and Hofstede used their results to study the differences between ethnic cultures. As a result of his studies today, the "Hofstede Cultural Scale", is widely accepted and has become the classic theoretical framework for cross-cultural psychological research.

Probably the most striking in Hofstede’s findings was the Power Distance Index (PDI). The PDI refers to the attitude that the majority/subordinates has of the ruling class/superiors, more so to the degree of respect that is shown to authority. In countries with a smaller PDI, the communication between superiors and subordinates tends to be smoother and more equal. The majority tend to be less afraid of the ruling class, compared to countries with a higher PDI, the superiors will be more authoritative and the subordinates will be more inclined to be fearful or more respectful to their superiors. The PDI in the United States is 40 which compared to Frances’ 68 shows a difference in cultural make up as well as how things tend to operate in two very distinct countries. These differences are due to the establishment of a democratic republic in France in 1789 after a very bloody and tumultuous civil war. 

Another measure in Hofstede’s  theory is uncertainty avoidance, which is used to distinguish ambiguities between cultures. Here are the top 5 countries in the Hofstede’s  study that have avoided uncertainty. People in these countries are more accustomed to relying on guidelines, planning, and strict enforcement in all circumstances. 1. Greece 2. Portugal 3. Guatemala 4. Uruguay 5. Belgium. Here are the last five. People in these countries have the most tolerance for ambiguity. 1. Hong Kong 2. Sweden 3. Denmark 4. Jamaica 5. Singapore. There are two points to note here. One is that these rankings by Hofstede do not represent good or bad. There is no such distinction as high score or superior score. Second, these attributes cannot be used to predict the specific behavior of people in these countries, which is certainly impossible. For example, you cannot assert that a Guatemalan must be an individualist. Hofstede wanted to make it clear that each of us has a distinct personality. But at the same time, our personalities also continue the tendencies, habits, and conditioned reflections unique to our growing environment, and the differences between different cultural characteristics are particularly obvious. If you're in the corner of a French city, it's hard to tell how it differs from an American city. But when it comes to avoidance of uncertainty, the two countries cannot be farther apart. France is a country with a high degree of uncertainty avoidance. Compared to Americans, French people don't like surprises, but like planning and arrangements, which are necessary for them. They are more afraid of change and the risks it may cause. Americans are more receptive to changes in their lives and are more willing to accept new and stranger things than to resist them.

Besides, there is also a need to consider listening from either side of the issue under discussion. There is no culture of a certain nation that's better than the other. As a result, all nations should be given equal opportunity to help in coming up with a neutral ground that would result in effective solving of the matter at hand (Higgins, Regan & Lyons, 2017). The dominance and interference by the culture among the nations should not be a reason in which internet providers are denied rights or prohibited to provide services in order regions. As a result, all the nations should be given equal opportunities as required.

Conclusion: 

Works Cited

Higgins, M., Regan, M., & Lyons, D. (2017). Net Neutrality. Edina, MN: ABDO. 

Gilroy, A. A. (2011). Access to Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate. Collingdale, PA: DIANE Publishing. 

https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country/france/

France-Amérique. “Net Neutrality: A French Right, an American Luxury.” France, 7 Dec. 2017, france-amerique.com/en/net-neutrality-a-french-right-an-american-luxury/.

“After U.S. Decision, France Says Will Continue to Defend Net Neutrality.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 15 Dec. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-internet-france/after-u-s-decision-france-says-will-continue-to-defend-net-neutrality-idUSKBN1E927D.

France-Amérique. “Net Neutrality: A French Right, an American Luxury.” France, 7 Dec. 2017, france-amerique.com/en/net-neutrality-a-french-right-an-american-luxury/.

Leskin, Paige. “On Net Neutrality, Here's What AT&T, Verizon, Charter, and Comcast Say.” Inverse, www.inverse.com/article/38734-net-neutrality-att-verizon-charter-comcast.