The effect of globalization on culture in developing countries

Lê Trần Mai Anh - 10621043

Course: Academic Writing

Vietnamese-German University

Instructor: Nguyen Thanh Duoc

 2

Globalization has impacted all nations to differing degrees. According to Adam

Hochschild (1998), globalization is increasing and strengthening the contact and

integration of individuals, corporations, and governments from several nations. In the

1990s, "globalization" became a catch-all phrase for analyzing the evolution of the global

economy and international politics. According to the information provided, technical

advancements and modern communications have created new communication channels

and exchanges between individuals, social movements, global businesses, and

governments. As a result, a succession of events have had extraordinary effects on a

country's global political, social, economic, and environmental conditions. Culture is one

area that may be significantly impacted by globalization. On whether globalization has a

beneficial or negative effect on the cultures of rising nations, experts are split. This article

will analyze the good and bad effects of globalization on culture in developing nations.

According to Scott and Marshall, the existence of a global satellite information

system, the emergence of global patterns of consumption and consumerism, the

cultivation of cosmopolitan lifestyles, and the emergence of international sport are social

and cultural developments that contribute to global culture (2005).

Culture is defined by Jekayinfa (2002) and Tyler (1871) as the framework of

institutions and modes of life. In addition, they argued that culture is a multidimensional

notion that incorporates an individual's acquired knowledge, religion, art, morals, laws,

norms, and other skills and behaviors. Huntington, Samuel P., "Robust Nationalism," The

National Interest, Winter 1999/2000, pp. 31-40.

 3

Depending on the goal of the paper/study, understanding and evaluating

globalization may be addressed from a variety of approaches. Despite this, globalization

may be analyzed from cultural, economic, political, and institutional perspectives. The

primary perspective of this work is cultural. In 2004, Jan Nederveen Pieterse (quoted in

Ritzer, 2008) identified three significant paradigms in theorizing the cultural aspects of

globalization, specifically on the question of whether cultures around the world are

eternally distinct (cultural differential), converging (cultural convergence), or creating

new hybrid forms from the unique combination of global and local cultures (cultural

hybridization).

Globalization has had a pervasive effect on the creation of lasting contrasts

between and within civilizations, according to proponents of cultural diversity (Ritzer,

2008). In this view, globalization components are superficial, leaving the fundamental

structure of cultures mostly or totally untouched. The cultural convergence theory, on the

other hand, postulates that globalization will result in an increase in worldwide

commonalities. This is intended to demonstrate that, as a result of globalization, cultures

are shifting, sometimes significantly. While cultural hybridization emphasizes the

mingling of cultures as a result of globalization and production, the melding of the global

and the local creates hybrid cultures that cannot be reduced to either the cultural

international or the cultural local. As cultural convergence is the most important

perspective in this study, it is utilized as a guide to appreciate, for instance, the

 4

consequences of globalization on African cultures. This is because the world's

civilizations are becoming increasingly similar, at least in certain areas. Commonly,

global integration is regarded as a process that helps dominant groups and cultures

around the world, mostly Western and Northern nations. This formula includes cultural

imperialism, westernization, and the Americanization of subject nations.

In terms of globalization and culture, acknowledging globalization divides

families, promotes egoism, and, as a result, lowers compassion; it also has the capacity to

modify our vision of the world. Under the pretense of globalization, they projected their

government, consumer and pop culture, and capitalist economy in order to strengthen

their power and potential and pave the way for the worst kind of colonialism. Clearly, the

culture of the world has remained constant. However, it is incorrect to speak to the

western civilization as having a mixed culture; cultural imperialism is a more appropriate

description. In addition, capitalism "haves" continue to control the globe since "have-

nots" have no place or respect. When you claim that we are the guardians and keepers of

freedom, why shouldn't others have freedom of cultural performance? Globalization

necessitates the homogenization of products, even cultural ones.

The homogeneity of items inevitably results in the homogenization of culture.

According to research, individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa may be susceptible to famine

and illiteracy, but they will be able to recognise Mickey Mouse, a familiar figure created

by Walt Disney. Mass manufacturing of cultural goods is required by the homogenization

of signs (symbols/signature recognition). In the process of developing a homogenized

 5

product, the rich cultural legacy was obliterated, producing an instant consequence. The

uniformity of cultural objects and symbols is fundamental to globalized culture.

One of the greatest concerns regarding the seeming new globalization of culture is

that it would result in the homogenization of world culture and the "Americanization" of

foreign cultures. The impact of American businesses on the cultural identities of other

nations is evident, for instance, in the food industry, which is significant on two levels. In

a number of cultures, eating is a vital component. Second, restaurants have the potential

to influence the norms and behaviors of the cultures in which they operate. In addition to

these homogenizing impacts, others claim that globalization may assist maintain local

traditions.

In addition, it is crucial to investigate the consequences of globalization on

individuals with different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Globalization is

related with large and rapid human change; thus, such rapid change can foster extremism,

nostalgia, and a decline in religious and cultural tolerance. Individual identities and

cultural values are usually dramatically impacted by these alterations. New ideals can

produce strife and clash with strongly held convictions, whether across generations or

between individuals. These shifts and adaptations may impede internal growth and

development to an even greater degree.

Not every beneficial behavior can be attributed to a certain civilization. Today's

world is the product of the fusion of several cultures. If receptive, individuals of one
 6

culture tend to recognize the defects in their own culture and accept the more realistic or

contemporary society.

References
 7

Adam Hochschild, “Globalization and Culture” Economic and Political Weekly,

Vol. 33, No. 21 (May 23-29, 1998), pp. 1235- 1238

Ali M. Alli, Globalization: Its Effects, International Business and Economics

Research Journal – January 2007 Volume 6, Number 1., pp.89-95

Panikkar, K. N., “An Agenda for Cultural Action-II.”The Hindu. New Delhi.

January10, 2002

Samuel P. Huntington, “Robust Nationalism”, The National Interest. Winter

1999/2000, 31-40

Yurlov, Felix N., “Globalization, Inequality and Threat to Sustainable

Development", World Affairs, 5 (1), Jan-Mar, 2001, pp.36-53