Protection of Cultural Industries in Europe - Coursework Example

Introduction Europe is among the continents that we have on earth and it located to the western part of Asia. It is the second smallest continent after Australia but it is among the most populated continents wit a total population of approximately 710, 000, 000, this is 11% of population in the entire world. The continent has forty eight countries of which 28 have the European Reunion membership. The Europe continent is the source of the western culture. The culture here is marked by a chain of cultures that overlap with each other. Hennighan, Tom (1996).It is nard to describe Europe as having a common culture due to its diversity. For instance, there is a difference in culture between Eastern and Western Europe; the languages spoken are a variety while there are over five religious groups that are predominant. The continent is actually said to have a fault line in culture in the countries that fall all across the continent of Europe. The figure below shows the location of Europe. Source, Dorland, Michael (2004) The cultural industry The industry is also commonly known by the name creative industry. This is a combination of the process of designing, producing, distributing of products either goods or services that have a cultural basis. The services and goods are normally covered by the rights on intellectual property. These industries among others include audio visual, cinema, the music industry and the craft industry. The creative industry is an essential industry in the creation of employment in Europe. It is estimated that an approximate number of 7 million people from Europe earn a living from this industry. The European people are themselves the source of cultural diversity as well as cultural identity. The industry has its basis on knowledge and heavily relies on human labor as well as creativity. The industry is particularly in Europe for fostering creativity and also nurturing innovation among the members of the society. Hennighan, Tom (1996). This industry helps to maintain the aspect of cultural diversity among people and also improve on the performance economically. In Europe today, the aspect of cultural tourism has been gaining popularity, in addition, it has also been of value and contributed in the creation of values for both the society and individuals. In the recent past, the cultural industry in Europe has incorporated the latest digital technology to enhance the quality of the products and services. In addition, there has been the drawing of policy on regulation of this industry at the international, regional and national levels. The deregulation in the industry has radically changed the context from which the flow of cultural services, goods and investments between countries takes place. The cultural industries have consequently gone through the process of progressive concentration and internalization which has resulted to the creation of just but very few conglomerates that are big .They are part of the global oligopoly. Dorland, Michael (2004). The recent trends in the cultural industry In the recent past, the creative industry has been growing at a very fast pace. Infact, in Europe, it is rated as one of the sectors of the economy with the fastest growth rate. The growth is attributed to the rapid dynamism in technology, growth the economy that is digital, the increased commercializing of all the intellectual property and the union of the media. Dorland, Michael (2004). All these factors and many others have enhanced the production, the distributing as well as the consumption and piracy of the goods and services produced by the cultural industry. The modern digital technology in communication and information sectors have completely lead to the revolutionalizing of this industry by improving the process of production so that it is of more quality, the channel of distributing the produced goods and services, the modes of consumption by the final consumer to he products. The availability of the technology at a low cost has made the diffusion of text, sound and image possible to even the small scale entrepreneurs without necessarily compromising on the quality of the product. The union of the internet, the telecoms and telephony in the context of the cultural industry has transformed the marketing, sales, the nature and level of piracy as well as the collection of royalties. Hennighan, Tom (1996). This practice has indeed balanced the gap between the marketing and the distributing companies and hence given the consumer a greater array to choose from. The prices in this industry have come down over the years due to competition in production which has resulted to the decline of the margined. Opportunities for the cultural industry in Europe 1. Exploiting the potential in the developing world 2. Venturing in the new markets growing in Diaspora 3. Increase the traditional and authentic culture in the tourists industry 4. Reduce the cost of the products and services since the technology advancement has reduced production cost. 5. Utilize the opportunities in the global market This picture shows a national theatre in Europe Source, Hennighan, Tom (1996) Protection and support of the cultural industry To protect the industry, which is vulnerable especially to piracy and such drawbacks, the government and other relevant bodies must be alert and swing to action whenever necessary. Dorland, Michael (2004). They governments should above all appreciate the direction of the economy globally as well as find out the variety of means by which the economy can be diversified in order to overcome the emerging challenges and exploit the available opportunities. Organization in the cultural industry is very necessary if alt all the sector has to be protected. These industries need to be treated as important sectors of the economy, the industries will have to get in to good management plans and be organized. Hennighan, Tom (1996). In addition, there has to be a documentation of the economic value of the industry. Culture is very important as it defines a people. It gives a history of the particular people and describes their way of life. This culture is the same that is reflected in the cultural industry. Today, people ore afraid that they may lose their authentic culture in terms of the weakening of this culture, loss of financial independence and loss of diversity. Dorland, Michael (2004). The following have initiated the support and protection of cultural industries. The municipalities that have a commitment to the provision of cultural services to the citizens, to promote the interest of the citizens in creative arts as well as encourage people to participate in cultural industries. The establishment of cultural industries that are ready and willing to host cultural productions even those that are not very profitable. New and up coming states to encourage and also make stronger the cultural identity and also give support to artists. Precisely, the European government should support the industry in the following manner. There should be the creation of an environment that will enable the continued thriving of the industry. Hennighan, Tom (1996). This will only happen through the designing, the implementing and the harmonizing of the government policy on industrial, trade, and intellectual rights policies that are relevant and applicable in this sector. 1. Foster the preservation of the policies that are proactive and those that are directed towards the promotion of cultural investment for example the WTO as well as the policy that promotes cultural diversity. 2. The simplifying, implementation and harmonizing measures on trade at the intra -region level to enable the deeper penetration of markets that are regional. For example imposing general custom procedure and regime and having a national certification for skills procedure. 3. Adopting the system of carnet to facilitate a cheaper movement of cultural services and goods for the purposes of exhibiting and promoting the European culture overseas. 4. Harmonizing the measures of trade that are applied to all the partners outside their region for instance the Common External Tariff that may issue permits for work to the practitioners in the creative industry outside the region. 5. Having an improved system for data collection as well as the documentation of the impact on the economy that the industry has. In addition, the there should be a set of established targets, benchmarks as well as policy to encourage the creation of employment opportunities, expansion of exports, the development of the enterprise and upgrading this industry. 6. The introduction of incentives to the cultural industries. These include the tax incentives and tax concessions. 7. Having an increase in the consultations between the private and public bodies in the making of policies that are related to culture. In regard to this, there should be training of the relevant officials on the particular cultural industries. 8. For the continued growth and expansion of the cultural industries, there should be available or accessible credit, support services and finances for the people in this industry. Protection of the cultural industry The government in Europe endeavors to protect the cultural or creative industry. Hennighan, Tom (1996). This is evident in the array of policies from the government that are aimed at the promotion of the cultural industries in Europe through such measures as limiting the ownership of such businesses by foreigners, public ownership, copyright laws, subsidies, and tariff and tax measures. In addition to this, Europe has entered to agreements as well as several international commitments regarding trade in the cultural services and goods, cultural investments, copyright and the spectrum use. All this is in a bid to protect this industry. Dorland, Michael (2004). The policies in regard to the domestic market also take a direction towards protection of the cultural industry. This is in the promotion of the production of material that is from Europe as well as the distribution through the channels that are controlled and owned by people from Europe. Conclusion The creative industry or better yet the creative industry in Europe has is economically viable. It is known to make a mark in the economy in Europe. Europe is a culturally diverse continent with a high population. The languages, religion and other aspects of culture are available in quite a variety of kinds. This makes Europe a culturally authentic and culturally rich continent. The government and other relevant bodies throw their weight behind this industry wit the aim of offering support and protection to the industry. References Dorland, Michael (2004): The Cultural Industries in Canada, Toronto, Lorimer Hennighan, Tom (1996): The Presumption of Culture, 1996, Vancouver, Raincoast Books Read More