Societal norms shaped by education and culture help define a country’s view of the world and its place in it.

Religion can be closely intertwined with politics, deep-seated ethnic tensions can lead to conflict, and education (or its absence) can prop up or drag down a nation’s economic prospects. Societal challenges may produce domestic upheaval, protectionism, and populism, which have ripple effects across the globe. Meanwhile, cultural exchange through news media, film, and public diplomacy shape individual and collective perceptions and bridge gaps between nations.