Is the World Developing a Homogenous Culture? Essay -- Globalization

Introduction In response to globalization, many critics have become concerned with its effects on other cultures. Globalization is not merely the sharing of goods and people, but also the spread of ideology and values. So, what happens when the ideologies of different nations conflict? For those who support the cultural imperialism theory, the answer is simple? The more powerful countries’ ideas prevail, forcing the people of the less powerful country to quickly abandon their former ideas and adapt to the new ones. The result is that authentic cultures are ruined which will lead to a global homogeneous culture. However, those who oppose this theory contend that cultures are not ruined but expanded and enhanced to create more complex and diverse societies. In my paper I examined both arguments as well as the way in which American popular culture is spread. In particular, I will focus on the impact of American influence in Japan and Korea, both of which have been receptive to Americ an culture, and France. Most often, scholars cite media and business as the main form of cultural imperialism, but what is the true effect of watching American television and movies, listening to music, or eating a Big Mac? I don’t believe that there is a significant impact because while people from other cultures may emulate common American images and ideas, they also find different ways to adapt these new ideas into their traditional culture. These different methods of adaptation will lead to an even more complex global culture instead of a homogeneous one, while concepts of ethnocentrism will maintain diversity. Theories First, what is culture? Furthermore, is it destructible? Marvin Harris and Orna Johnson, the authors of Cultural A... ...cohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=16&hid=107&sid=c517a5a1-cad3-4e0a- 8850-8b75290ad3cc@sessionmgr114&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ== Rauth, R. (1988). The myth of cultural imperialism. The Freeman, 38(11), Retrieved from http://www.thefreemanonline.org/columns/the-myth-of-cultural-imperialism/ Rinaman, K. (n.d.). French film quotas and cultural protectionism . Retrieved from http://www1.american.edu/ted/frenchtv.htm Rothkopf, D. (1997). In praise of cultural imperialism?. Foreign Policy, (107), Retrieved from http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/protected/rothkopf.html Top 10 ways kfc in japan is different from kfc in the us . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.facingtherisingsun.com/japan-travel-tips-eating/japan-kfc-different U.S. Department of State. (2012, March 5). U.s. department of state. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4142.htm Is the World Developing a Homogenous Culture? Essay -- Globalization Introduction In response to globalization, many critics have become concerned with its effects on other cultures. Globalization is not merely the sharing of goods and people, but also the spread of ideology and values. So, what happens when the ideologies of different nations conflict? For those who support the cultural imperialism theory, the answer is simple? The more powerful countries’ ideas prevail, forcing the people of the less powerful country to quickly abandon their former ideas and adapt to the new ones. The result is that authentic cultures are ruined which will lead to a global homogeneous culture. However, those who oppose this theory contend that cultures are not ruined but expanded and enhanced to create more complex and diverse societies. In my paper I examined both arguments as well as the way in which American popular culture is spread. In particular, I will focus on the impact of American influence in Japan and Korea, both of which have been receptive to Americ an culture, and France. Most often, scholars cite media and business as the main form of cultural imperialism, but what is the true effect of watching American television and movies, listening to music, or eating a Big Mac? I don’t believe that there is a significant impact because while people from other cultures may emulate common American images and ideas, they also find different ways to adapt these new ideas into their traditional culture. These different methods of adaptation will lead to an even more complex global culture instead of a homogeneous one, while concepts of ethnocentrism will maintain diversity. Theories First, what is culture? Furthermore, is it destructible? Marvin Harris and Orna Johnson, the authors of Cultural A... ...cohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=16&hid=107&sid=c517a5a1-cad3-4e0a- 8850-8b75290ad3cc@sessionmgr114&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ== Rauth, R. (1988). The myth of cultural imperialism. The Freeman, 38(11), Retrieved from http://www.thefreemanonline.org/columns/the-myth-of-cultural-imperialism/ Rinaman, K. (n.d.). French film quotas and cultural protectionism . Retrieved from http://www1.american.edu/ted/frenchtv.htm Rothkopf, D. (1997). In praise of cultural imperialism?. Foreign Policy, (107), Retrieved from http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/protected/rothkopf.html Top 10 ways kfc in japan is different from kfc in the us . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.facingtherisingsun.com/japan-travel-tips-eating/japan-kfc-different U.S. Department of State. (2012, March 5). U.s. department of state. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4142.htm