2.2. Convergence

The entry delves into the debate on whether global cultural values and societal practices are converging or diverging. Grounded in the rationalist perspective, it argues that modern technology and industrialization drive convergence, making societies adopt similar attitudes and institutions. However, neo-institutional scholars highlight isomorphism, asserting that global institutions and lower-income nations contribute to convergence for legitimacy and support, irrespective of technological advancement. The globalization perspective strengthens both arguments, emphasizing the impact of multinational corporations and the growing global consensus on core principles. The complex convergence–divergence debate faces conceptual and methodological challenges.