Cultural globalization is the rapid movement of ideas, attitudes, and values across national borders, which can have positive and negative effects. The term “globalization” was popularized in the 1980s, but the process can be traced back through history. The rapid technological developments of the 20th century greatly accelerated the process. The ultimate consequence of cultural globalization is a world that seems smaller, where interactions happen more rapidly, and decisions tend to be made much quicker. Pop entertainment culture is perhaps the best example of cultural globalization. Those in favor of the concept point to the benefits that the exchange of knowledge and information can bring, while critics warn of its destructive effects on national identities.
Cultural globalization is the rapid movement of ideas, attitudes and values across national borders. The term “globalization” became widely used in the 1980s, but as early as the 1960s Canadian literary critic Marshall McLuhan popularized the term “global village” to describe the effect that the ability to instantly connect and exchange ideas would have the world. This sharing of ideas generally leads to greater interconnectedness and interaction between people of different cultures and lifestyles, which can have both positive and negative results. As a result, as technology has speeded up the process, it has attracted considerable controversy.
Historical perspective
Though often thought of as a modern concept, the processes of cultural globalization can be traced back through most of history. Even during times when most societies tended to exist in relative isolation, international trade and exploration often led to transformative exchanges of ideas. For example, the expeditions of early European explorers led to interaction with Asia, Africa and the Americas. Among many other results of this was the introduction of the potato to Europe from South America, which had profound effects on the European diet. Similarly, the colonization of India by the British Empire produced many cultural impacts on that nation which can still be seen today.
It was the rapid technological developments of the 20th century, however, that greatly accelerated the process and that led people to start contemplating globalization as a broad concept. Decade by decade, telephones, radios, jet air travel, and television media disseminate information around the world with increasing efficiency. By the turn of the century, the Internet had made it possible for ordinary people on opposite sides of the Earth to connect instantly and cheaply, whether for the purpose of conducting business or for personal communication.
A smaller world
The ultimate consequence of cultural globalization is a world that seems smaller and where interactions happen more rapidly. While it once took weeks, or even months, for information to travel long distances, communications are now nearly instantaneous. In turn, this means that decisions tend to be made much quicker. For example, within minutes of a major political upheaval in a country, traders around the world could react by selling stocks in large volumes, causing a financial panic even before the events can be fully analysed. In earlier times, before globalization reached its current level, such achievements would have been more limited in scope and would have taken place more slowly.
Cultural similarities
Cultural globalization is perhaps best exemplified by pop entertainment culture. Moscow youth, for example, dance in ways similar to those in Rekjavik and Tokyo. Japanese anime is seen in Chicago, and Mexican soap operas are enjoyed by viewers in Manila. A band’s latest release can be spread quickly around the world through a variety of video sharing websites; celebrity personalities achieve global pop icon status by the same means. It’s easier than ever for people of divergent cultures to find common interests.
Beneficial aspects
Those in favor of the concept of a “global village” often point to the benefits that the exchange of knowledge and information can bring. Some argue that this new widespread cultural awareness could help reduce bigotry and discrimination and could even ease international relations as a whole. While people of different backgrounds communicate more freely and enjoy many of the same fads and trends, they may find that they are not as different as they initially assumed.
Chief among its proponents is big business, as the more culture globalizes, the easier it is for companies to sell their products in other countries. Some products, such as soft drinks or portable electronics, are sold all over the world. Many brands are as coveted in Madras as they are in New York. Economic globalization goes hand in hand with cultural globalization and it is sometimes emphasized that cultural globalization is more commercially driven than nationally driven.
Downsides
Critics of cultural globalization often discuss its destructive effects on national identities. They warn that unique cultural entities may vanish and that languages spoken by small populations may be at greater risk of extinction. The specific values, traditions and history – the identity – of a culture may disappear. They fear the threat of dominated and industrialized cultures overtaking and supplanting indigenous ones, silencing new and different ideas. Critics also warn that vast multinational corporations could make secret deals without popular input or concern in the best interests of local people.
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