Globalization and the spread of Western culture
In the future, I hope to see development in the economies of third-world countries. These countries may soon (hopefully) be able to buy more and more industrialized goods. Already we are seeing mass globalization, as Western companies export their labor needs and factories to foreign soil.
But I can’t help but wonder: As we export American goods and jobs, are we exporting American culture too?
Seeing Allure and Vogue magazines stacked in booths along the aisles of Pakistani street markets is, for me, like something out of a nightmare. And sadly, this is already happening. Not that I am totally against some aspects of American culture; I just value extremely highly the diversity of the many different cultures of the world. And there are a lot of bad habits that foreign countries can pick up from us Americans: eating disorders, Hollywood-fascination, etcetera. I respect, honor, and adore the diverse cultures of the world, and I don’t want to see them becoming more Americanized, until we just have one homogenous, U.S. world culture.
I can’t help but wonder what the cultural side effects of globalization will be. Millions of people in foreign countries make a living assembling products for the Western world—but what influences does this have on their cultures? How many exercise machines or flat-screen TVs can they assemble before picking up some of our cultural habits? Sure, globalization may be giving foreign economies a boost. But I don’t want to see their unique cultures collapse as their economies are built up, from service to the Western world.
I hope that the cultures of the Middle East are strong and cohesive enough to resist the American influence—and I think they are. Still, it is amazing how much American influence is already woven throughout the world. Middle Eastern and Oriental people make their living assembling American goods, or answering customer service calls from Americans halfway around the globe. People in Africa wear our old T-shirts, sold in street markets from the excess of American department stores, while African children walk around in N’Sync and Old Navy T-shirts. Not to mention that these people are forced to learn more and more computer skills to keep up with the only jobs that are opening up to them—computer / phone services.
Again, it’s not like I have something against American culture; I wouldn’t want U.S. ways changed by any other world cultures either. Diversity is something very positive and fundamental, in my opinion, and globalization has posed a threat to that diversity.
I totally agree. Just knowing that half the world is still listening to 1980's pop music gives me chills. Just imagine a world where everyone watches dumbass reality tv shows, obsesses over Brangelina and britney spears, and listens to incredibly bad music. All I know is that I wouldn't want to live in a world like that, its just too terrifying.
Yes we are exporting American culture: it is the only product we have to export. KFC is the most popular restaurant in China and other countries love our movies and actors. The degradation of culture is horrific, but the young people don't want their culture anymore. They see their culture as poor and weak, they want to be rich like the Americans.
"Oriental" is not pc... If you care.
I never understood this issue. There is no 'culture' army forcing American culture on people. As parts of the world lighten up, people naturally gravitate to many aspects of American culture. To me, that signals that there is something natural in many of these chosen, common aspects. In other words, McDonalds doesn't hold a Chinese village at gunpoint and force them to eat there. If the Chinese didn't buy the McDonalds, then the McDonalds wouldn't exist. The Chinese obviously want it, or thye wouldn't buy it. If they let parts of their culture go then there is a reason for that, too. For instance, I once heard a professor whining about how theere were these 'great' monastaries in the mountians where disciples would be kicked out forever if they even brushed against a woman. that should go away, because that is stupid. You take some mountain top, illiterate farmer who goes to the monastery because he knows nothing else, show him what else is in the world, and what do you know, he says the hell with the monastery. That is his choice, and it is a good thing, precisely because he has choices, and if he chooses not to live in the monastery that isn't western culture's fault, it is his own decision. I know what you're saying, I don't want to look like I'm shooting down your argument, but it's kind of arrogant if you think about it: these other nations are CHOOSING to adopt Westernized ways, and we stand back and say 'oh, you poor dolt, don't you know that isn't good?' They are perfectly capable of deciding for themselves what is right. As for Middle Eastern and African culture, I can't think of much better than Western influence. Then, maybe women won't have to wear veils, maybe they will read what they want instead of only what their churches approve, maybe African men will stop raping young female virgins because it's a cure for AIDS. These things are good, and I don't think of it as cultural interference, I think of it as increased education and freedom. If the people truly want these cultures than they will keep them by choice, regardless of any interference. The fact is, they like what they see, and they have as much a right to that as I do.