The trouble with cultural assumptions is that they’re global—encompassing and influencing our thinking on a vast range of phenomena—and that they feel to us like “common sense”: in other words, we don’t know they’re assumptions. As the West looks toward Asia as a rising force—a partner and competitor in industry and global politics, unchecked assumptions can spell disaster. But where to begin? As the foundation of most of our assumptions about the East and the predictions we base on them is our understanding of Western history, that’s as good a place to start as any.Understanding the Roots of EurocentrismMost international relations study programs continue to favor European case studies.Broaden your perspective. Europe isn’t an accurate measure of the world’s diverse populations. Look for Asian examples to inform your point of view on Asian trends.Deepening Your Knowledge of the EastIt’s ok to have a theoretical worldview, but it must be validated with local knowledge.Te...