INTL 101-Cultural Globalization

INTL 101: INTRODUCTION INTL 101: INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL POLITICSTO GLOBAL POLITICS

Does Globalization Threaten Does Globalization Threaten Cultural Diversity?Cultural Diversity?

LECTURE CONTENETLECTURE CONTENET

1.1. Key ConceptsKey Concepts2.2. Argument against the cultural Argument against the cultural

globalizationglobalization3.3. Does Globalization Threaten Does Globalization Threaten

Cultural Diversity? YESCultural Diversity? YES4.4. Argument for the cultural Argument for the cultural

globalizationglobalization5.5. Does Globalization Threaten Does Globalization Threaten

Cultural Diversity? NOCultural Diversity? NO

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

consumerism- consumerism- economic policies economic policies that place an emphasis on that place an emphasis on consumption, and, in an abstract consumption, and, in an abstract sense, the belief that the choice of sense, the belief that the choice of consumers should dictate the consumers should dictate the economic structure of a society.economic structure of a society.

Cultural imperialism- Cultural imperialism- a critical a critical term for US dominance of the term for US dominance of the emerging global culture.emerging global culture.

Key ConceptsKey Concepts Economic integration-Economic integration- the merging to various degrees of the merging to various degrees of

the economies and economic policies of two or more the economies and economic policies of two or more countries in a given region.countries in a given region.

Fast food nation- Fast food nation- Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American MealAll-American Meal (2001) (2001) is a book by Eric Schlosser, first is a book by Eric Schlosser, first serialized by Rolling Stone in 1999. The book examines the serialized by Rolling Stone in 1999. The book examines the fast food industry in the US and its global effects. fast food industry in the US and its global effects.

Hegemony- Hegemony- the holding by one state of a preponderance the holding by one state of a preponderance of power in the international system, so that it can single-of power in the international system, so that it can single-handedly dominate the rules and arrangements by which handedly dominate the rules and arrangements by which international political and economic relations are international political and economic relations are conducted.conducted.

Information economy- Information economy- is a loosely defined term to is a loosely defined term to characterize an economy with increased role of characterize an economy with increased role of informational activities and information industry. informational activities and information industry.

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

Jingoism-Jingoism-is a term describing is a term describing chauvinistic patriotism, usually with a chauvinistic patriotism, usually with a hawkish political stance. In practice, hawkish political stance. In practice, it refers to sections of the general it refers to sections of the general public who advocate bullying other public who advocate bullying other countries or using whatever means countries or using whatever means necessary to safeguard a country's necessary to safeguard a country's national interests.national interests.

Key ConceptsKey Concepts Multinational corporations (MNCs)- Multinational corporations (MNCs)-

companies based in one state with affiliated companies based in one state with affiliated branches or subsidiaries operating in other states.branches or subsidiaries operating in other states.

Social Darwinism- Social Darwinism- is a term used to describe a is a term used to describe a range of political ideologies which are held to be range of political ideologies which are held to be compatible with the concept that Charles compatible with the concept that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution of biological traits in Darwin’s theory of evolution of biological traits in a population by natural selection can also be a population by natural selection can also be applied to competition between human societies applied to competition between human societies or groups within a society. It has also been used or groups within a society. It has also been used to justify capitalism or imperialism. to justify capitalism or imperialism.

Argument against the cultural Argument against the cultural globalizationglobalization

Julia Galeota of McLeanJulia Galeota of McLean argues argues that many cultures around the world that many cultures around the world are gradually disappearing due to the are gradually disappearing due to the overwhelming influence of corporate overwhelming influence of corporate and cultural America.and cultural America.

Does Globalization Threaten Does Globalization Threaten Cultural Diversity? YESCultural Diversity? YES

Globalization threatens cultural Globalization threatens cultural diversity because:diversity because:

• The motivations behind American The motivations behind American cultural imperialism: the desire for cultural imperialism: the desire for access to foreign markets and the access to foreign markets and the belief in the superiority of American belief in the superiority of American culture.culture.

Example:Example: American film industry. American film industry.


Fast food nation, more Fast food nation, more widely recognized widely recognized tthanhan the Christian the Christian cross.cross.

Such American Such American domination hurts local domination hurts local markets, as the markets, as the majority of foreign majority of foreign industries are unable industries are unable to compete with the to compete with the economic strengths of economic strengths of US industry. US industry.


• Americanization of foreign cultures: Americanization of foreign cultures: American belief in the superiority of American belief in the superiority of US culture reflects the late 19US culture reflects the late 19thth age age of imperialism during which the of imperialism during which the jingoists attempted to fulfill what jingoists attempted to fulfill what they believed to be the divinely they believed to be the divinely ordained manifest density of ordained manifest density of American expansion of Social American expansion of Social Darwnism. Darwnism.


Superiority of Superiority of American culture American culture promoted by promoted by marketing- marketing- marketers have marketers have always been able always been able to successfully to successfully associate with associate with American products.American products.

Examples: Nike Examples: Nike and GAP. and GAP.


American corporations American corporations have developed a have developed a successful global successful global strategy: instead of strategy: instead of advertising American advertising American conformity, theconformity, theyy pitch pitch diversity.diversity.

Example: Mc Donald’s Example: Mc Donald’s international “i’m lovin international “i’m lovin it” campaign.it” campaign.

Coco-Cola.Coco-Cola.


If the strength of these If the strength of these diverse American diverse American images is not powerful images is not powerful enough to move enough to move products, American products, American corporations also corporations also appropriate local appropriate local cultures into their cultures into their advertising abroad. advertising abroad.

Example:Example: MTV –many MTV –many networks.networks.


Critics of American cultural imperialism Critics of American cultural imperialism argue that foreign consumers do not argue that foreign consumers do not immediately adopt the American culture.immediately adopt the American culture.

Example:Example: Naomi Klein- Naomi Klein- No Logo.No Logo.• Media and information industries play an Media and information industries play an

important role about the military and important role about the military and economic hegemony of the US.economic hegemony of the US.

Example: Example: Role of CNN.Role of CNN.


• The use of internet increases The use of internet increases American influence.American influence.

• Some scholars who oppose to this Some scholars who oppose to this belief refer to the new information belief refer to the new information economy.economy.

• Some countries use protectionist Some countries use protectionist measures for website accesses.measures for website accesses.

Example:Example: China and Cuba. China and Cuba.


Supporters of cultural imperialism Supporters of cultural imperialism theory, such as David Rothkop, a theory, such as David Rothkop, a former senior official in Clinton’s former senior official in Clinton’s Department of Commerce, argue Department of Commerce, argue that American cultural imperialism is that American cultural imperialism is in the interest of all of the world. He in the interest of all of the world. He uses Hungtion’s theory.uses Hungtion’s theory.


Some countries have attempted to Some countries have attempted to stop American cultural influence by stop American cultural influence by limiting access to American cultural limiting access to American cultural programming through satellites and programming through satellites and the Internet.the Internet.

Examples:Examples: France, China, Canada, France, China, Canada, Iran, Cuba.Iran, Cuba.


Some measures that maintain the integrity Some measures that maintain the integrity of culture:of culture:

i) in the Lexus and the Olive i) in the Lexus and the Olive Tree, Thomas Friedman advocates the Tree, Thomas Friedman advocates the use use of protective legislationof protective legislation and the and the concept of glocalizeconcept of glocalize..

ii) In ii) In Jihad vs McWorldJihad vs McWorld, Benjamin , Benjamin Barber argues for Barber argues for civic space. civic space.

iii) Need to focus on the iii) Need to focus on the educationeducation of youthof youth in their native values in their native values and traditions.and traditions.

Argument for the cultural Argument for the cultural globalizationglobalization

Philippe LegrainPhilippe Legrain, chief economist , chief economist of Britain in Europe, an organization of Britain in Europe, an organization supporting the adoption by Great supporting the adoption by Great Britain of the euro as its currency, Britain of the euro as its currency, argues that it is a myth that argues that it is a myth that globalization involves the imposition globalization involves the imposition of Americanized uniformity, rather of Americanized uniformity, rather than an explosion of cultural than an explosion of cultural exchange. exchange.

Does Globalization Threaten Does Globalization Threaten Cultural Diversity? NOCultural Diversity? NO

Globalization does not threaten Globalization does not threaten cultural diversity because: cultural diversity because:

1.1. It increases individual freedom.It increases individual freedom.

2.2. It revitalizes culture and cultural It revitalizes culture and cultural artifacts through foreign influences, artifacts through foreign influences, technologies and markets. technologies and markets.

• Example:Example: African rhythms in rock n African rhythms in rock n roll.roll.


3.3. Fears about an Americanized Fears about an Americanized uniformity are overblown.uniformity are overblown.

• Example: Example: Most countries’ shows Most countries’ shows are homegrown.are homegrown.

4.4. America are not the only player in America are not the only player in the global media industry.the global media industry.

• Examples:Examples: Germany, France, Germany, France, Japan.Japan.


5.5. America is an outlier, not a global leader.America is an outlier, not a global leader.• Example: Baseball and American football Example: Baseball and American football

have not well to other parts of the world.have not well to other parts of the world.

6.6. Although Hollywood dominates the global Although Hollywood dominates the global movie market, it is less American than it movie market, it is less American than it seems.seems.

• Example: Example: Top actors and directors are Top actors and directors are often from outside America.often from outside America.


7.7. A common global language- use of English- A common global language- use of English- would certainly be an advantage, but a single would certainly be an advantage, but a single one seems far less desirable.one seems far less desirable.

8.8. Even though American consumer culture is Even though American consumer culture is widespread, its significance is often widespread, its significance is often exaggerated. exaggerated.

9.9. Profound cultural changes have little to do with Profound cultural changes have little to do with Coco-Cola.Coco-Cola.

• Examples: Examples: Technology and immigration are Technology and immigration are reshaping culture, but national identity is not reshaping culture, but national identity is not disappearing rather it is loosening. disappearing rather it is loosening.


10.10. Cross-border cultural exchange Cross-border cultural exchange increases diversity within society increases diversity within society but at the expense of making them but at the expense of making them more alike.more alike.

11.11. Cross-cultural exchange can spread Cross-cultural exchange can spread greater diversity as well as greater greater diversity as well as greater similarity.similarity.

• Example: Example: More traditional as well More traditional as well as McDonald restaurants.as McDonald restaurants.


12.12. Foreign influences can rapidly Foreign influences can rapidly become domesticated changing become domesticated changing national culture, but not destroying national culture, but not destroying it.it.

13.13. Some losses of diversity are a good Some losses of diversity are a good thing. thing.

• Example:Example: Liberalism is a European Liberalism is a European philosophy that has spread the philosophy that has spread the world.world.


14.14. Faith in science and technology is even Faith in science and technology is even more widespread. Even those who hate more widespread. Even those who hate the West make use of its technologies.the West make use of its technologies.

• Example: Example: Anti-globalization protestors Anti-globalization protestors organize by email. organize by email.

15.15. Globalization is not a one-way street.Globalization is not a one-way street.• Example: Example: Muslims are a growing Muslims are a growing

minority in Europe, but Christians are a minority in Europe, but Christians are a disappearing in the Middle East.disappearing in the Middle East.


16.16. Foreigners are changing America Foreigners are changing America even as they adopt its way.even as they adopt its way.

• Example: Example: Immigrants.Immigrants.

17.17. New hybrid cultures are emerging.New hybrid cultures are emerging.• Example: Example: In America people speak In America people speak

Spanglish. Spanglish.

INTL 101-Cultural Globalization

Documents

Transcript of INTL 101-Cultural Globalization