Globalization & Culture

Globalization focuses on changes in the economic and political spheres Cultural impact is uncharted territory World changes; forced policy makers to respond to crisis Culture vs. Globalization less studied; harder to see effects Production and distribution of goods Welcomed & blessed event in the World Concern of local goods vs. global goods (products) Increased exposure of other cultures - via movies, music, publications, »brings about changes in local cultures, values, and traditions Undermine their own cultural identity

World “Americanization” Spread of American corporations –cultural identity can be seen with regard to food –First, food is in many countries an integral aspect of the culture. –Second, food restaurants can influence the mores and habits in societies Increased fast food eliminates undermines culture –crowd out foreign products –McDonalds vs. French cusine Influence the traditions Starbucks causes cultural concerns in Italy McDonalds & China –Kids buying own meals (unheard of) –Popularized birthday parties Cultures change & evolve; globalization may & have accelerated cultural change

World Market & Influence Why is the American market so dominant? The size of the market - access to the U.S. market and 300 million people, provides a large advantage of economies of scale. Wealthy cultures of the world - being one of the richest countries in the world and one of the largest in terms of population put the U.S. market in a dominant position. Hemogenous cultural traits - The ability to speak English grants one access to larger markets; no mother language; limits market exposure (Nigeria/ India) Global Affluence – The U.S. has such a rich or economically affluent culture.

Integration of Cultures Hollywood - good example of integration Not an entire American institution –Subject to foreign influence –American movies are remakes of foreign films (Magnificent 7; Jungle to Jungle; Disney) –Producers are not even America (Columbia Tri-star and Fox are owned by Japan's Sony and Australia's News Corporation) Famous Actors (Nicole Kidman; Mike Myers, Jet Lei, Penelope Cruz,) Hollywood is typically a global institution

Culture Reaffirmation of Local Culture Reinforce local cultures –(India) Satellite T.V.; identify with regional ties –Violent back lash (Islam); protect their traditional cultural values, against disruptive onslaught of Western beliefs. Global companies to take into account the culture where they sell products. This enhances cultural awareness Clash of Civilization Samuel Huntington; Harvard Prof. –“The great division will be culture” –He divides the world into major cultural groups: Western, Confucian, Japanese, Islamic, Hindu, Slavic-Orthodox, Latin American, and African civilization –End of global competition over economic ideology, »will result in fault lines of world conflict along rifts between these great cultures

Cultural Impacts 3 ways globalization affects global culture Development of a new culture of global elite (business persons) Increase of pop-culture Diffusion of beliefs and Values –Implications of political systems and gov’t policies Davos Culture (elite culture) Drivers of economic process, foreign affairs, & pursuers of globalization Immersed in a shared culture: –cell phones, travel abroad, laptop comp., proficient in English, ignore cultural norms Vanguard of multiculturalism –Immigration, mobility, = people learning to deal with each other

Cultural Impacts Pop-culture Most visible influence (T.V., Movies, Music, Clothing, etc.) Reverse immigration Entertainment the most important export of U.S. –Dominates 90% of world entertainment - –Huge cultural diffusion from U.S. to other countries: threaten cultures Spread of American Pop-culture –Americanization imports brings in U.S. culture –Choke countries ability to produce their own cultural products or influence. Seizure of Foreign culture by U.S. dominance of pop-culture –Cultural genocide – largest & dominant cultures are doing so at expense of others

Cultural Diffusion Global village Opportunity for global interaction & exchange (promote tolerance) Foreign policy driven by what is seen/observed (George Clooney) CNN effect Press coverage influences outcomes (Famine in Ethiopia 1984) U.S. & Somalia (famine) – public pressure (1992) Diffusion of values: Created shared cultural values (human rights) –Doctors w/out boarders – Noble Peace Prize Efforts are limitless with technology – applying pressure

Cultural Conflict Canadian Case Study 89% of magazines sold in Canada are Foreign Magazines constitute the only national press we possess in Canada. – Magazines, can help foster in Canadians a sense of themselves Relatively protective of their economy/magazines (foreign highly taxed) –Foreign Magazines – anything imported to Canada was taxed at the border Technology blurred the line 1993 Time Warner – Sports illustrated magazine Produced in the U.S. electronically sent to Canada to be published –Time Warner argued that their magazine was Canadian (offered tax breaks to magazine subscribers in Canada)

Cultural Conflict Canada defends market Magazines have to have 80% content (Canadian) - Avoid tax –Attempt to protect their market; in name of culture –Other magazines screamed discrimination –Foreign magazines placed at disadvantage (tax) –U.S. threatened retaliatory measures (textiles, steel, etc.) WTO ruled in favor of U.S. – practice is discriminatory –non-discrimination between foreign and domestic producers –Almost trade wars over something so asinine Trade disputes not like criminal disputes; –Difficult to determine who is at fault

Protecting Family Farm Small Farmers Increased difficulty in competition –Lower trade tariffs U.S. & others lobbied for protection (subsidize & price support; tax imports) –Protect small farmers from going under –Proponents argue that we are losing economic efficiency by taxation –Small farmers argue that a way of life is being lost Farmers argue that they are multifunctional –Multifunctional = value beyond just producing goods –U.S. western plains = lost nearly half their populations Farmers lose money that are breaking into the new markets

Globalization of Values Imposition of economic sanctions – 40% of countries Enacted against countries with whom U.S. disagreed with Nuclear Weapon use; human rights issues; Nations accuse U.S. of wielding arrogance & self-righteousness Confucian Ideals Promotes hard work, authority, thrift, & belief in community –Criticism: run contrary to popular democratic practices –Created authoritarian regimes who wield too much power Many Asian cultures economies have grown due to this the Confucianism –They’ve also been able to promote Asian traditions & ideals

Western Values & Back Lash Irans Rapid Modernization s Shah of Iran sought quick modernization despite Islamic ideals –Back lash of these beliefs Ayatollah Khomeini –Islamic clerics railed against the “westoxicfication” –Called for revolutionary movements; expel all western influence Protection of culture & language Provide protection of foreseen foreign intrusion France efforts to protect language –Carry out random raids of the language to eliminate English terms & replace them Canada’s efforts –All signs in English must have French counterpart (lettering twice as large) –Immigrants graduation from college; using French only

Conclusion China’s Efforts –Western product names (2,000) had to be changed to more Chinese sounding names U.S. English only groups – –Ensure that English remain a integrating force among ethnic groups Demonstrates perceived threats to native culture by gov. Human Phenomenon: What cultural components are worth protecting Call for special committees to address cultural strains and disputes