Cultural Homogenization

[Union Jack]

Given the trend of globalization, I believe it would be valuable to consider the possible facets of cultural homogenization. As nations open up more and more, and the spread of information and ideas increases, markets are being flooded with foreign goods and concepts. Many ecnonomists/ sociologists predict that this will lead to a "dumbing" down of individual cultures, and produce a new, global culture.

The question, Do you think this cultural homogenization is likely? If so, what are the possible pros and cons.

Some would tend to aurgue that the loss of our diverse cultures is a bane to our eclectic world. Yet others would counter that this thought process is nationalistic, and even facist, and would aurgue that a cultural homogenization would be a boon for our world, and would serve to alleviate many of the racial, cultural strifes inherent between sepearte beliefs and nations.

[kilted exile]

I have no problem with global cultures mixing to form on culture which includes some of the customs of each. As an example the town I live in currently has a large number of immigrants from different areas of the world (Eastern European, North American, UK, mediterranean, and middle east) I enjoy the fact that when out walking I pass shops selling merchandise/food from all the different original areas.

I do worry however, that globalization of culture often really means americanization and the MacDonalds/WalMart culture.

[Bandini]

The MacDonaldization of Society by George Ritzer is a good read.

[Union Jack]

Well I do not believe that this "americainzation" is forced upon other countries, As America functions on capitalisim, the goods flow towards the demand. The reason MacDonalds moves overseas to places like China, is due to the demand in that area. MacDonalds would not attempt to sell its product in an area devoid of interest.

[Bandini]

No - but they do not consider anything but profit. I think that is a problem. Demand for a product does not always make it morally acceptable to sell it. A crack dealer moving into a neighbourhood were people desire crack is not morally sound is he?

Incidentally, a MacDonalds 'big wig' some years ago stated that if the Japenese ate MacDonalds rather rather than fish and rice, they would grow taller and become whiter.

[Union Jack]

That's a hilarious quote, good point.

But, unfortunately, morals do not enter into economics, and they shoudn't.

[Virgil]

That's an interesting question Union Jack that I've considered in the past and discussed with people. First you should consider that all peopole of all cultures are never static; they are always evolving. Sometimes as an outsider (or even an insider) we get the impression that this or that culture has been that way for centuries. But it's not true. There are changes within a culture, despite what the most conservative (and I don't mean this in a political sense) members may claim.

Now as to globalization, yes the interaction through mass modern communication has spread certain traits across the world. And cultures that might have evolved differently might be evolving toward, let us for now call it western values, but it's not necessarily only western. Nor is western all homogenized. There seems to be in human nature two opposing drives of identity (if that makes sense to you), the drive to bond together and the drive to divide apart. There will always be some dividing apart, and cultures (groups of people who have bonded together) will distinguish themselves over time. So, no, I don't think we will be one homogenized world culture.

Hopefully we can take what works to make society better (modern medicine, industrialization, human rights) and share that, and if people wish to pick up on it so be it.

[Union Jack]

Thank you Virgil, you bring up a good point, that cultures are not static. I do not believ that "western" culture would necessarily dominate others in the future. Perhaps nations would merely adopt western economic systems ( capitalism) and retian their heritage, identity, and political setup.

Is that a bad thing? Would the we be better of with a "world" culture than many smaller ones? Would it end divisions and strife? What are the benefits and losses?

I'm honestly not sure where my opinions lie on this topic, I'm hoping for others to participate so that I may weigh the value of many opinions, and perhaps agree with one, or maybe combine some, or reject them all and develope my own view.

[chmpman]

My Am. Lit. professor made an interesting statement considering a like topic; that it is now impossible, if one is exposed to these mediums of communication, for an author to create regionalized literature. So therefore, we should no longer consider what has been referred to as American Literature by this name; rather we should call it World Literature written in the English language in America.

What are your opinions on what globalization will do to literature, and whether or not an author can still create regionalized lit.?

[Union Jack]

Oh truly, it is very hard to nail any of our thoughts down to being purely "Americain" or in my case, purely "British."
We live in a global world, and many other cultures have influenced our thoughts and opinions, so I would say that it is near impossible to write a "purely Americain novel" containing Americain ideas and characters.
Enviornemnt plays a huge part of our developement, and our enviornement is the world, not just one culture.

[Virgil]

Thank you Virgil, you bring up a good point, that cultures are not static. I do not believ that "western" culture would necessarily dominate others in the future. Perhaps nations would merely adopt western economic systems ( capitalism) and retian their heritage, identity, and political setup.

Is that a bad thing? Would the we be better of with a "world" culture than many smaller ones? Would it end divisions and strife? What are the benefits and losses?

In my opinion, it would be a good thing. Nations whose economic systems are interconnected are far less likely to develop strife. Look at Europe? Can one imagine a major war between any of the European countries as Europe currently stands? Countries (free and democratic, of course) who risk major economic down turns by going to war will usually find solutions to their conflicts. Prosperity depends upon it.

[Bandini]

But, unfortunately, morals do not enter into economics, and they shoudn't.

What?? They don't cos, as a world, we worship Mammon! But surely they should? And doesn't 'unfortunately' and 'they shouldn't' make your statement a little paradoxical?!

[Xamonas Chegwe]

The saddest thing about the 'McDonaldisation' of cultures is that the Big Mac, like most things that are (allegedly) bad for people but rather moreish (drugs, tobacco, alcohol, pornography, as other examples), does not need to be 'pushed' on to other cultures; it is instead, actively pulled. It hurts me to say it of my own race, but a lot of people would genuinely prefer a McOffalburger with fries and a shake to a three course meal in a 'proper' restaurant.

[Union Jack]

What?? They don't cos, as a world, we worship Mammon! But surely they should? And doesn't 'unfortunately' and 'they shouldn't' make your statement a little paradoxical?!

Ha Ha, I'm glad you got my irony Bandini. What I said reflects the views of many economists, or buisiness people.

[chmpman]

Virgil,
I see a difference between your analogy about Europe now being so interconnected that it is unimaginable to see them going to war and the globalization of the entire world. Europe has been steeped in the Western tradition of thought for many centuries. The problem with globalization may not be the outcome, but rather the process, with the confliction you see between very different cultures.

I wonder if this homogenization of cultures will mean not only that it is impossible to create regionalized literature (I don't necessarily think regionalized lit. is bad), but that it may become impossible to read past literature without making judgements on it under our globalized viewpoint. I think we'll be losing a lot of literary merit if this occurs. (sorry if this sounds rather vague)