Question

While globalization is sometimes referred to as westernization, there is some thought to the idea that it is mostly Americanization. Discuss and analyze the spread of the American political and economic model. Provide examples of countries where you feel it has been welcomed and successful and why and countries where it has not and why not.

Answer 1

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the American political and economic model has seen an exponential acceptance rate across the globe with the exception of a notable few such the Soviet Union and China. But the collapse of the Soviet empire in the 1980s and 1990s ended this stiff resistance of the American political and economic model. Much of the world today has aligned itself with the American economic model of capitalism. Free trade has become the norm and trade, investment, and migration of people, goods, and services are no longer hindered by international borders. As such, the USA is today the lynchpin that is holding the world economy together. Any adverse effect on the US economy results in a catastrophic impact on the world economy. This was very aptly demonstrated by the 2007 Economic Recession.

However, the American political and economic model comes with its unique set of benefits, which is why it has become so popular in so many countries. Globalized economy with the American model has seen an average economic growth of 5 percent a year since the 1990s. The advent of information technology and access to the Internet has broadened cultural horizons and enabled people around the world to overthrow autocratic rulers and establish a democratic order.

Developing nations such as India, Brazil, South Africa have welcomed the American political and economic model as it has allowed them to expand their economies greatly. However, some countries like China still not don't follow the American political and economic model as they believe in an economic model that sees a greater role of the Government in the ownership and control of the national resources.