In: Economics
McDonald’s latest move sums up its wretched cultural imperialism Fast food restaurant McDonald’s has long come under attack from anti-globalisation campaigners for its homogenizing effect on global food systems, cityscapes, and local cultures. The marketing of its unhealthy and potentially addictive foods – especially to children – has also been criticised by public health advocates at a global level. Its negative impact on diet and health has created a lifestyle disease.
The company’s destructive and homogenising characteristics have been well documented. McDonald’s has had a profound impact on businesses. Multinational companies like McDonald’s deploy similar technologies and production methods worldwide to achieve more uniform operating methods and outputs, leading to the loss of local business values and initiatives. Workers and trade unionists have testified in hearings of human rights against McDonald’s over low pay and poor working conditions for its operations in developing countries like Brazil. Instead of driving a global race to the bottom by exploiting them for lower labour costs, McDonald’s can use its power and influence to help improve the lives of workers around the world.
In addition, its marketing techniques are increasingly viewed as overly manipulative and in part destroying local cultures. On 6 June, McDonald’s in the U.S. unveiled its new ‘International Currency Exchange’. Customers will be able to use foreign currency to purchase four new items on its so-called ‘Worldwide Favourites’ menu at participating U.S. McDonald’s stores. This new menu includes the Dutch delicacy ‘Stroopwaffel McFlurry’ and a Spanish dish named the ‘Grand Extreme Bacon Burger’.
Fast food is not just culturally, environmentally, and nutritionally destructive, it is also a symbol and tangible manifestation of U.S. imperial power. It represents the conquering of the world by the U.S. ‘values’ of so-called “free” markets, corporatisation, and cultural imperialism. (Source: http://thecanary.co published 13 June 2019) Questions:
(a) There are many aspects of globalisation that need to be dealt with. Discuss the THREE aspects of globalisation which need to be dealt resulted from the fast food business developments. Illustrate each aspect with an example from the above case.
(b) Discuss the other FIVE issues that need to be addressed when dealing with cultural globalisation. Provide one example for each issue from the above case.
(c) Suggest TWO ways for multinational companies such as McDonald’s and governments to deal with the issue of “racing to the bottom”.
solution to part A
There are many aspects of globalisation that need to be dealt with. Discuss the THREE aspects of globalisation which need to be dealt resulted from the fast food business developments
The three major aspects of globalistion are :-
1. Economic
2.social
3.political
Globalization is all around world is a scale of growth and an ongoing process where economic, cultural and societies are being l integrated. It has become a very controversial issue. Globalization has both positive and negative effects on the world.
1.Economic aspects
fast foods are popular in many countries as a result of media and internet advertisements. Through aggressive marketing campaigns targeting consumer wants and needs through internet and media has contributed a lot to the growth of fast foods in the world. As per economic point of view food is now available in every market and easy to each. as globalisation help to trade off between countries it help the fast food industry to grow .
example: mcdonald facilitate the media campaign and customers all over the world which help in growing economic factor of life . McDonald’s deploy similar technologies and production methods worldwide to achieve more uniform operating methods and outputs help in advancement of technology.
2. social cultural
As trade in between countries is not limited to trade of items ,it also includes the social and cultural aspects of life. as the fast food industry is not only selling food items but also exchanging the cultures between the nation. as mcdonald exchanging the western culture with rest of the world. This helps reduce the communication barrier so that people from different culture, life style, and society have more understanding of each other .
example :mcdonald usually integrerate with the different nation and help in exchanging the culture also with help all nations worldwide to know and participate in different culture.
3. Politicial
globalisation inspires nations to develop friendly relationship, to help nations work together to improve quality of life, and achieve world harmony. fast food industry help to grow the inteaction between the countries . it promotes the circumstance of state interaction. Whether nations like it or not, we are all internationalists. There are a lot of collaborate institution among countries to strengthen the political collaboration .
example : as per the political aspect of economy fast food companies like mcdonald usually help to maintain the stabillity in the economy as these companies help to increase the market availabilty also.