Why Blame Works Differently in Different Cultures: The Cultural Perspective

Part of an ongoing series of articles exploring core concepts of political blame and blame avoidance in governance and political communication.

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Dear readers,

Why do political scandals cause resignations in some countries but not in others?

Why do public apologies resonate in Japan but sometimes backfire in the US?

The answer lies in the Cultural Perspective on blame — which shows that blame-avoidance behavior is deeply shaped by cultural norms, values, and narratives.

Let’s explore this essential concept from Christopher Hood’s The Blame Game — and why it helps explain the diversity of political behavior around the world.