Globalization Will Result in Culture Becoming Homogenous - Essay Example

Globalization will Result in Culture becoming Homogenous Name Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date Introduction Debate about the impacts of globalization has been ongoing for some time now (Martin, 2004). Some feel, globalization threatens the existence of some cultures while other argues that globalization promotes cultural diversity. In this paper it is argued that globalization will result in a homogeneous culture (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). To do this globalization and culture are first defined followed by various arguments which support the fact that culture is likely to become homogeneous (Iwabuchi, 2002). This is followed by a brief look at some evidence which argues that globalization promotes cultural diversity. A conclusion is then provided for the main findings of the paper. Globalization Globalization refers to integration of regional economies, cultures and societies via a global network of political ideas, transportation, trade and communication (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). Globalization is commonly associated with economic globalization which refers to integration of national economies via trade, capital flows, migration, foreign direct investment, the spread of technology and military presence. According to Martin (2004), it has been found out that the main driving factors for globalization are economic, socio-cultural, technological, biological and political factors (Inglis, 2005). Globalization can also be defined as a process through which people, companies and governments of different nations interact and are integrated via international trade and investment by the aid of information technology advancement. Globalization in recent times has been spurred by opening up of economies on both domestic and international arena. During this period many states have adopted a free market economic system which has enabled globalization to thrive (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). Advances in technology have also been known to drive globalization. Information technology has been instrumental in helping businesses to identify and pursue new economic opportunities (Iwabuchi, 2002). Globalization increases connection and interdependence between different world markets and businesses (Fagan & Munck, 2009). Critics of globalization see it as the growing dominance of western forms of political, economic and cultural life. Culture Culture has no clear definition since it defines human social life. Culture is a collective programming of the mind which is a collective phenomenon that is shared partly by people who lived or live within a certain common environment where it was learned (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). This implies that culture is learned from one’s social environment and hence is not innate (Inglis, 2005). Thus culture distinguishes the members of one category or group from another (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). People have several mind sets that correspond to different levels of culture which sometimes may be conflicting (Iwabuchi, 2002). Why globalization is seen as a threat to cultural diversity Values, ways of life, ideas and contacts between people have been greatly increased via globalization. Globalization has enabled people to travel more frequently and widely. Many people around the globe are now able to access television globally even in inaccessible remote areas. People are being exposed to diverse cultural practices via media and internet. In some corners, this exposure to diverse ideas, values and ways of life is exciting and empowering while in some corners it if disempowering (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). It is thus argued that globalization might result in cultural universalism. This implies that world will arrive at a borderless world of tolerance (Inglis, 2005). This line of argument states that a unique culture identity will emerge due to globalization that will be a representation of the human gender (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). Many countries are in fear of cultural erosion through loss of national values instigated by increased interaction with foreigners who come with new customs (Martin, 2004). They fear the invasion of their cultural values by international trade and values promoted via media houses and internet (Inglis, 2005). Most cultures are being displaced by the ideas, values and ways of life being promoted via interaction, media houses and internet (Iwabuchi, 2002). It is being conceived that in the near future cultural practices will be homogenized. This conception is being augmented by increased number of national culture giving way to western cultural practices (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). As consequence some regions have adopted protectionists’ policies. For instance, groups in Western Europe have been involved in opposing the entry of foreign employees and their families (Inglis, 2005). An example is where Indian activists were involved in protesting against a foreign pharmaceutical company patenting neem tree. In addition, anti-globalization groups have been advocating for equal treatment of cultural products in a similar manner to other products in global trade and investment agreements (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). The argument that American influence is increased by use of internet has seen some countries like China and Cuba have adopted protectionists’ policies for website access. Other countries which have tried to stop the influence of American cultural programming include France, Iran and Canada (Iwabuchi, 2002). All these countries have tried this through limiting their people from accessing American cultural programming via satellites and the internet. All these are aimed at protecting cultural identity. The increased movement of people, products, ideas and capital in the world has thus been seen as a threat to national culture of many countries (Inglis, 2005). It is argued that such movements can result in complete abandonment of local cultural practices which can lead to dismantling of economic basis upon which traditional cultures are dependent. The movement is also argued to be capable of increasing cultural exclusion of traditional knowledge (Martin, 2004). It is thus argued that multicultural policies need to be adopted in order to manage immigration, trade and investment in ways which recognize differences in cultural identities and culture (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). Such policies should be aimed at protecting cultural liberty and expanding people choices instead of preserving tradition. It has been argued that preservation of tradition can deter human development. It is being argued that the great influence of corporate and cultural America is gradually diminishing many cultures around the globe. Thus it is argued that globalization is a threat to cultural diversity due to various reasons (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). One of the reasons given to cement this argument is that some cultures perceive themselves as being superior to others (Kinnvall & Jonsson, 2002). In particular it is argued that the key motivator for globalization is the desire for America to have access to foreign markets and advance its culture that they perceive to be superior to others. This is currently being witnessed in the American film industry. The perception that American culture is superior to other cultures is exemplified in the way marketers promote products (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). Most products have successfully been associated by marketers with American products as exemplified by Nike and GAP. Different cultures have for a long time been associated with different cuisines. However, with advancement of globalization, the world is turning into a fast food nation. The foods being taken in many countries are becoming more similar day by day (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). This is another argument put forward to argue that globalization is a threat to cultural diversity since different culture are associated with different cuisines but this is drastically changing and people are being unified in the kind of food they take. The fact that developing countries have less capability of competing big firms from developed countries implies that smaller firms in the developing countries have no capability of competing with the large multinational firms (Martin, 2004). For those which can be able to survive in economic turbulent environment are forced to adopt organizational culture adopted in the big multinational firms (Inglis, 2005). This implies that organizational culture is converging to resemble that promoted in multinational companies. It is on this basis that it is argued that global culture is likely to be unified instead of the current diversified cultural practices. It is ironical that even the anti-globalization movement are themselves involved in globalization unknowingly. For instance, these people use media and technology to convey their anti-globalization messages (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). It is argued that globalization uses the defence mechanism promoted by those against it to bring about changes in its target (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). Thus it is argued that globalization will in long run result in an integrated culture that will bring together all groups that are currently opposed to each others ideas. It is argued that there is a tendency of various groups opposed to globalization to culturally integrate using the forces they use to struggle against their integration. Thus, such integration may in the long run result in the formation of a universal cultural identity (Inglis, 2005). It is argued that in this universal identity different groups will have varied cultural differences but there will be unifying principles that will identify them to the universal cultural identity (Martell, 2010). Even though some cultural differences will remain only that which is considered fit will remain in fused form where various cultural practices integrate to form new cultural practices (Martin, 2004). In this sense, it is argued that no culture will be able to remain in its pure form but instead it will evolve and lose some practices that will not be fit and adopt new ones from different cultures that will be involved in the integration (Rehbein, 2007). Thus a homogenous cultural identity will arise. It is also argued that there is a possibility that some cultural practices and identities might be lost altogether. This has been exemplified by historical happenings which have shown that globalization has the capability of destroying entire communities and subduing them to some sort of post colonialist power where they are left without the shape and face of the nation that previously existed (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). This thought of argument alludes that agents of globalization can use this kind of force to form an empire which will be used to subdue the multitude (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). As a consequence many cultural values and practices will disappear and those which are fit will be buried in a fight against neo colonialist and neo liberalism economical models. Why globalization is seen to support cultural diversity Contrary to the universalism consequence of globalization, some authors argue that will result in the construction of a cultural environment where different communities with self-defining cultural practices will coexist in harmony in spite of cultural differences. Some authors have discredited that argument that globalization seeks to impose Americanized uniformity. They instead argue that globalization enhances cultural exchange (Inglis, 2005). They argue that globalization enhances diversity by increasing individual freedom. In addition, they argue that globalization helps in revitalization of culture and cultural artefacts via the influence of foreigners, markets and technologies (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). For instance, they argue that rock n roll music has incorporated African rhythms. It is also argued that the argument put forward that multinational media houses promote Americanization of the world is misplaced since local media players in different countries air home-grown shows which have little or no influence at all from America (Stromquist & Monkman, 2000). It is also argued that other countries such as France, Germany and Japan are also major media players in global media industry and hence the argument that media is promoting Americanized uniformity do not hold water (Martin, 2004). It is further argued that America is not a global leader but instead it is an outlier. This argument is illustrated by the fact that some games such as American football and baseball are only popular within America and not in other parts of the globe. It is also argued that even though Hollywood movies are dominant in the world movie market, it has little American cultural practices (Benyon & Dunkerley, 2000). This is illustrated by actors and directors who come from diverse cultural backgrounds and who are not restricted to American boundaries. Conclusion Globalization refers to integration of regional economies, cultures and societies via a global network of political ideas, transportation, trade and communication. Culture is a collective programming of the mind which is a collective phenomenon that is shared partly by people who lived or live within a certain common environment where it was learned. Many countries are in fear of cultural erosion through loss of national values instigated by increased interaction with foreigners who come with new customs. Most cultures are being displaced by the ideas, values and ways of life being promoted via interaction, media houses and internet. This conception is being augmented by increased number of national culture giving way to western cultural practices. The increased movement of people, products, ideas and capital in the world can result in complete abandonment of local cultural practices which can lead to dismantling of economic basis upon which traditional cultures are dependent. It is being argued that the great influence of corporate and cultural America is gradually diminishing many cultures around the globe. Different cultures have for a long time been associated with different cuisines. However, with advancement of globalization, the world is turning into a fast food nation. The multinational companies are also defining the cultural practices in organizations undermining the existing norms in countries they operate. It is argued that there is a tendency of various groups opposed to globalization to culturally integrate using the forces they use to struggle against their integration. It is also argued that there is a possibility that some cultural practices and identities might be lost altogether due imperialism development. All these arguments point to the fact that cultural practices are likely to be homogeneous in future. References Benyon, J., & Dunkerley, D. (2000). Globalization: The reader. London: Routledge Fagan, G., & Munck, R. (2009). Globalization and Security: Social and cultural aspects. Introduction to volume 2. London: ABC-CLIO Inglis, D. (2005). Culture and everyday life. London: Routledge Iwabuchi, K. (2002). Recentering globalization: popular culture and Japanese transnationalism. Duke: Duke University Press. Kinnvall, C., & Jonsson, K. (2002). Globalization and democratization in Asia: the construction of identity. London: Routledge Martell, L. (2010). The sociology of globalization. New York: Polity Martin, M. (2004). Globalization, macroeconomic stabilization, and the construction of social reality: an essay in interpretive political economy. Verlag: LIT Verlag Münster Rehbein, B. (2007). Globalization, culture and society in Laos. London: Routledge Stromquist, N., & Monkman, K. (2000). Globalization and education: integration and contestation across cultures, 2nd Ed. London: Rowman & Littlefield. Read More