Question

Is globalization triggering cultural homogeneity or heterogeneity? In developing your argument, make sure that you pay attention to economic, 4 political and cultural dimensions of globalization. In other words, do not reduce globalization solely (and erroneously) to economic globalization. Argue below

Intensifying globalization is triggering a one-world culture where global corporations (e.g., McDonald’s, Apple, Coca-Cola), global transportation (e.g., quick shipping), and global communications (e.g., Al Jazeera, social media, Internet) dominate cultural landscapes from Toronto to Johannesburg to Beijing. As a result, local cultures are being changed or assimilated by the dominant outside culture (e.g., Westernization, Americanization, transnational capitalist values).Intensifying globalization is triggering a one-world culture where global corporations (e.g., McDonald’s, Apple, Coca-Cola), global transportation (e.g., quick shipping), and global communications (e.g., Al Jazeera, social media, Internet) dominate cultural landscapes from Toronto to Johannesburg to Beijing. As a result, local cultures are being changed or assimilated by the dominant outside culture (e.g., Westernization, Americanization, transnational capitalist values).

Answer 1

It is often argued that globalization penetrates through cultural boundaries and in the process results in the spread of Western ideologies and values across the world.The impact of globalization on cultural identities in isolation has traditionally been viewed as negative. This perspective views cultural identity as a victim of consumer culture- Western and homogeneous in nature. Perhaps, more radically put, globalization is a cultural homicide since it converges cultural pluralism into a standardised minion form, the process known as cultural homogenization.

Globalization is a consequence of expansion of business internationally through liberal economic policies worldwide. These economic policies are often influenced by international politics powerplay, that is, the political dimension of globalization. For instance, WTO influences its member countries to remove trade barriers to foster globalization. It has resulted in a worldwide phenomena where huge MNCs are selling products across nations and creating a globally homogeneous culture of consumption. The consumers find themselves at crossroads between 'localism' and 'globalism', the latter emerging victorious more often than not.

Through globalization, the local markets are targeted in such a way via media, advertising, movies and pop culture that the companies sell an idealised lifestyle. This indoctrination transforms the majority of people into obedient consumers without identities. Thus, it could be rightfully stated that globalization is triggering cultural homogeneity.