The effect of culture on globalization in African countries - Essay Example

Chapter Introduction 1. Topic and Overview The research topic of this proposed research is ‘The effect of culture on globalization in African countries’. The approach for this research is to establish how culture affects the implementation of globalization in African countries in the hope of understanding the impact of culture on the success or failure of globalization among African countries. We are now living in the era of globalization. Our world has become smaller and smaller. What used to be the other side of the world is now just a mouse click away. Communication technology has become so advanced that the borders and barriers that used to impede our contact with each other have now become penetrable. Globalization is affecting many aspects of our lives, from our economy to our politics, and from our social lives to our cultures. In some parts of the world however, globalization has not been easy to welcome and manage. Some countries have preferred a no-trade economic policy; or have refused to cooperate in international relations; or have refused to accept the effects of globalization into their culture. Globalization in Africa has been a difficult phenomenon to accept. The culture of Africa has not been very receptive to globalization. Culture can make a difference in the success or the failure of government and economic policies which seek implementation in any organization or country. The people’s culture and traditions can foster acceptance and enhance support in these policies. The culture in different nations has also affected the pace and success of globalization in many African countries. The culture prevalent in China, Saudi Arabia, and other parts of Asia is an important factor which bears impact on the entry of globalization. The current dilemma about culture and globalization is that most nations may share a nationality, but they often do not share a culture. There are different ethnic practices that may arise out of one country. And this lack of commonality affects the tolerance of the nation for economic universalism (Hopper, 2007, p. 39). It is important to study how culture will affect globalization efforts because its success is dependent on how well the people will adopt it into their lives. 1.2. The statement of the problem and sub-problems With the introduction of the latest innovations in communication, globalization has now become an inevitable phenomenon. However, as much as globalization is the current trend in international and economic relations, there are various factors in each country that have to be considered before it can be widely accepted and implemented. The main problem in this study is to determine the effects of culture on globalization among African nations. More specifically, it seeks to establish the extent to which culture affects globalization in terms of fostering acceptance from the people, and in terms of fostering participation of the people in globalization activities. Culture can potentially affect the people’s acceptance and participation in any activity and it can dictate on people’s traditions, and economic decisions. 1.3. Research Objective The emphasis of this research will be on the effects of culture on globalization among African nations. This topic was chosen in the hope of understanding why Africa has encountered various problems in the acceptance of globalization and in the implementation of important processes to make way for globalization. It shall analyse why many African countries are not always receptive or are slow to respond to globalization and why their cultural values affect the way they respond to globalization. 1.4. Significance of the Research African nations shall benefit from this research because it will help them understand why their cultural practices affect their economy and vice versa. It will also prompt them to assess the specific cultural practices that they can discard in favour of globalization. This paper is significant for the global economy in order to help the players understand the intricacies of each country’s culture before venturing into economic enterprises with the nation. Chapter 2 Literature Review This portion shows studies or researches which were conducted along similar lines with this topic. These studies show how culture has impacted on globalization among African nations. 2.1 Introduction Different studies have been conducted on the effect of culture on globalization among African nations. One such study was conducted for the University of Southern Denmark and it revealed that African nations have a varied and rich culture. There are various ethnic groups in the region which practice different cultures and traditions. These cultures and traditions have managed to affect the lives of the people in the region. Some of these cultures and traditions have managed to adapt to the changes in the society, however, others have managed to resist change. “Many of the chiefs and elders of these ethnic groups who are described as the custodians of their customs and traditions are still steeped in the medieval times, oblivious to the fast-paced changes that are shaping modern societys development” (Kwame, 2006). These chiefs and elders have a huge influence on the direction that any tribe is taking in terms of economic or political development. To their mind, globalization is a phenomenon which should be held off and resisted. The study cites how a practice in Ghana of not doing work on a particular day of the week is a hindrance to modern-day development. Many of these similar taboos are firm and inviolable practices in Africa and they actually prevent globalization from ever coming into full fruition in their region. This study also points out how practices and taboos are slowly losing meaning and power in the face of globalization. However, it also laments how the unstoppable tides of globalization are slowly and gradually changing the cultural landscape in Africa. Their languages are dying a slow and gradual death. And “it is lamentable that most Africans, especially Ghanaians from the elite background cannot communicate in their mother tongue” (Kwame, 2006). This study shows how culture and globalization affect each other, how they both bring benefits as well as drawbacks to each other. Another study discusses the effects of culture on globalization in Africa. The study points out how the ideals of globalization are based on Western ideology. This makes the application of globalization a complicated process in Africa. And “as former colonies of Western nations, the countries of Africa have never had this equal status in the global market, which makes its ways all the more difficult” (Lagadeg, 2009, p. 1). The African economic culture is based on the barter system and on a system where the sales of goods and services are not highly regarded. And yet the basic tenet of globalization, which is capitalism, relies heavily on the sale of goods and services. This makes it difficult for globalization to be assimilated into African culture. Many of the cultural groups in Africa also do not see themselves participating in the national level to the policies related to globalization. The study cites that in Algeria, the government is actually pursuing participation in the Arab League; this move however, does not sit well with the Kabyle population which has closer ties to European nations like France and Spain. And the Kabyles feel left out of the government’s efforts to align themselves with the Arab nations (Lagadeg, 2009, pp. 1-2). A study conducted by Udeani for the International Review of Information Ethics (2007, pp. 1-4) revealed that there is a steady and strong relationship between cultural diversity and Africa. It is the very essence of their cultural identity. And this diversity has, time and again, been a factor in how the nation has managed to deal with the rest of the world. African culture is very much grounded on ethnicity. They are bounded and bonded with the groups and tribes they belong to, and they abide by the teachings and regulations set by these groups. Their culture is now being called upon “to address, understand and interpret both her own and the global predicaments and cultural diversity for herself within the context of our today’s global age” (Udeani, 2007, p. 3). Their culture and globalization are at cross-purposes with each other, with their culture not tailor-fit to accept the demands and the implications of globalization. The diverse culture of Africa has also been discussed by Sriramesh and Vercic where they discuss that African culture is heterogeneous and this heterogeneity is vastly dissimilar from the diversity seen in many Western nations. They cite political scientist Mazrui in his discourse about Africa where he describes African culture as impressive in terms of charity and solidarity, but slow in speed. Mazrui further describes African culture as one that values prestige instead of achievement; and that African culture is a culture of poverty and indigence (as quoted by Sriramesh & Vercic, p. 159). In relation to globalization, this African culture as described by Mazrui, offers an unstable ground for changes and strides in favour of globalization. Culture affects globalization by controlling what seeps through a country’s traditional defenses. A study cites the case in France where they have managed to fend off the influx of fast food chains because they have been very protective of their food and their culture. Their food and culture is mostly about crepes and pastries, and the French were able to understand very early on that the entry of fast foods into their food industry might crowd out their own products. Starbucks in Italy is not welcomed with open arms because Italians have come to associate their coffee drinking habit as part of their culture and mores. But undeniably, some nations have come to eventually accept the forces of globalization. In China, for example, McDonald’s restaurants were originally frowned upon because Chinese children were not allowed to choose their own food. Because of the enticing marketing of McDonald’s to the children, children soon learned and appreciated the habit of choosing their own food. And soon enough, it became acceptable and common for Chinese children to choose and even buy their own food (Levin Institute, 2009). Culture has a profound effect on globalization because the people’s language can often affect the pace and the acceptance of globalization by the people. In the United States, their common language has made it convenient for them to pursue common economic and political goals. In Africa, the different nations and tribes speak different languages, and many of them do not speak or understand the English language. In order to gain access to the nation, one has to go through different language and cultural barriers, whereas for the United States, one only has to learn English, and various opportunities and doors can be opened. And for the African people to access and participate in the international market, they have to learn the English language. It is a vital prerequisite for any success in the economic arena. In another study, it is revealed that some villages in Africa have a culture which emphasizes on respecting other people’s privacy and not meddling in other people’s affairs. Globalization is founded on opening relations and communication with other people and other nations. The attitude of the above African villages will greatly affect the success or the failure of globalization in the region. The study also points out the fact that some Africans do not know any better; they regard all products from the West as status symbols. Many of them are actually not aware that many of the ‘imported’ products that they are craving for are manufactured in one of their village sweat shops. This culture and frame of mind, in some ways, makes them receptive to the benefits of globalization. But it makes them more vulnerable to the dangers and pitfalls of globalization. And, noticeably, it is the younger generation who is especially susceptible to manipulation from Western nations because of their receptive attitude towards all things Western. They are likely to purchase the latest perfume, shoes, clothing, and music, of their American or European icons. And they do it at the expense of their own cultures and traditions (Muyale-Manenji, 1998). Ugandans and other Africans have also acquired a culture of inferiority alongside their European counterparts. They revere European products, sports, and culture. They ignore their own products and people. A study cites how Africans greatly admire football players like Christiano Ronaldo, Henry Thierry, John Terry, and other European players. They do not have confidence in their own players. “Lack of confidence and support in African football by Africans themselves is slowly killing this interesting sport on the continent” (Mugira, 2008). This lack of confidence in their own products and their own people is disadvantageous to the African people as a whole because in the face of globalization, they would be overwhelmed and crushed by the wealthier and more powerful countries. In the process of globalization, they would lose their identity as a nation. The economic culture in Africa is also fraught with many pitfalls that will not serve them well in this era of globalization. Their economic culture has been accustomed to high costs in production, limited government support and incentive for local production, subversion of local products through high importation, currency devaluation, and depletion of foreign reserves. And this culture has led to a massive foreign debt and the institutionalization of poverty (Akindele, et.al., 2002). The economic culture in Africa is entrenched in poverty, and is not a rich breeding ground for the seeds of globalization to flourish. Women in Africa throughout the years have lived in a culture of hard living and industry through agriculture and as civil servants. Their contributions to the economy are considered crucial to the success of capitalism and globalization in Africa. Because of the extreme poverty situation in Africa, many of these women have resorted to cross-border trades. In the process, they leave their children for long periods of time. Unfortunately, they have also exposed their children to societal dangers of rape and abuse. Many women have also taken to engaging in extramarital affairs while they are away from their homes, and their husbands too have resorted to their own affairs while their wives are away. And these promiscuous and sexually active practices have increased the spread of AIDS in Africa. This culture has driven women out of their homes and has also threatened the peace and unity of many African families. With poverty perennially plaguing Africa, both men and women have taken strides in finding work for their families. However, when economic crisis drives many companies to retrench their workers, the trend has been to lay-off the women first. And the economic crisis is also affecting areas of health and education. It is the responsibility of the women to care for their children’s health at home. And many of their children, especially the girls, are forced to drop out of school because they cannot afford tuition. They are also prompted to help their mothers in the chores and responsibilities at home. Africa’s culture is a big burden on women. They are obliged to help in supporting their families while also living with the threat of retrenchment and decreased access to health care and education (Muyale-Manenji, 1998). This culture, in the face of globalization, is likely to put further pressure on women. They are less likely to enjoy the benefits of globalization; in fact, globalization may even drive them deeper into poverty. In South Africa, there is no firm agreement between those who seek to preserve African culture and those who seek Africa’s economic development. The preservationists insist on an African development that does not compromise the value systems of the African society. And the developers also insist that there are sacrifices that need to be made in the name of development. It has to be emphasized and noted that South Africa is a country which has assimilated a strong collectivistic approach, and this approach has had a huge impact on individual performance and personal trust. And nowadays, “most organizations in South Africa encourage input by individual workers, and dissent is tolerated when it is not detrimental to the health of the organization” (Sriramesh & Vercic, 2008, p. 160). Africa has gone through many years of European and Western domination. And this culture of subjugation has brought them years of poverty and inferiority. Globalization has created a scenario for Africa where, once again, the world seeks to change the society to make it fit in with the rest of the world. The culture of subjugation and inferiority in Africa has made them powerless in the face of globalization (Owolabi, n.d., p. 3). 2.2. Theories There are various theories explaining the effects of culture on globalization. Malcolm Waters theorizes that after setting up policies and the standard economy “material exchanges localize, political exchanges internationalize, and symbolic exchanges globalize” (as quoted by Tomlinson, 1999, p. 22). He also claims that “the globalization of human society is contingent on the extent to which cultural relations are effective relative to economic and political arrangements” (Tomlinson, 1999, p. 22). Waters further explains that globalization and economic changes would only succeed in as much as they are accepted and absorbed into the culture of the people. The products which would be traded in the market or which would now be available in the era of globalization would be those which the people would need and avail of based on their culture and practiced traditions. In the case of Africa, the people would only avail of products and services they need. The fast-food economy would be a difficult product to sell in a nation which is impoverished. Waters theory implies that culture can control the direction and the extent of globalization; that it can only succeed up to such point that culture allows it to succeed. He further emphasizes that “material exchanges are rooted in localized markets, factories, offices, and shops, simply because of the practical necessity or the cost advantage of physical proximity in the production and exchange of goods and services” (Waters, 1995, as quoted by Tomlinson, 1999, p. 22). Another theory relating to the effect of culture on globalization advocates how culture can serve as the bridge and connection between and among the different nations of the world. It is the link being used to help ease the globalization process into the economic frames of different countries. “Culture’s capacity to foster understanding among peoples is especially true in the area of educational exchange and cultural diplomacy” (Feigenbaum, 2002, p. 25). In fact, the nature of the relations between and among some nations has been primarily based on an exchange of culture. This theory seeks to highlight the positive effects of culture on globalization. Some authors emphasize that the effect of culture on globalization in Africa mostly revolves around the fact that the culture of Africa is diverse, and this diversity is preventing the entry of globalization into the country. The expectation in a global economy is the unity of intent, purpose, and culture. Many critics of globalization point out that this phenomenon is too much about the ‘Americanization’ of a society. Not all cultures can accommodate an American or a Western culture. Many scholars point out that Africa is one such culture. It is too diverse to unite into a coherent whole. Africa’s culture is very traditional. It emphasizes on values such as “community, family, respect of life, hospitality” (Henriott, 1998). And these traditional values come in contrast with the values seen and communicated through Western music, movies, videos, cable television, advertisements, and icons in the entertainment and sports world. Just as globalization brings so much potential for development, it also brings with it various tools that chip away at the foundations of African culture. And this process of globalization does not bode well for the African culture which can be overwhelmed by the forces of Western culture and economic power. 2.3. Proposition After reviewing the theories and previous studies on the subject matter, it may be proposed that culture has both a negative and a positive impact on globalization in any country. It is also prudent to note that there are specific qualities in each nation’s culture which make globalization efforts either a success or a failure. Nevertheless, culture has an effect or an impact on globalization in any country – and these effects may either contribute or prevent globalization. 2.4. Conclusion Culture is an integral part of a country. It defines the people, it directs their actions and decisions, and it sustains their identity. In some instances it also affects the success or the failure of economic and political policies in a country. Culture affects globalization in Africa by impacting on the people’s acceptance and participation on globalization activities. In so many ways, culture can make or break economic and political policies. It can foster acceptance, but it can also limit the people’s participation into the globalization phenomenon. From these studies and theories, we can now proceed in assessing how culture affects globalization among African nations in terms of people’s participation and people’s acceptance of globalization activities. Primary research shall be conducted for this study which shall include library and phenomenological research methodology. The methods in the conduct of this study are hereby set forth in the following chapter. Chapter 3 Research Methodology This chapter presents the research methods that will be used in order to answer the questions posed by this research. The bulk of the data shall be gathered through semi-structured interviews of research subjects using a prepared set of questions. A test or pilot interview shall first be undertaken in order to establish possible questions that may be included by this researcher in this study. 3.1. Type of the Research Based on the issues and the objectives of this research, this research seeks to establish the effects of culture on the globalization of African nations. The effects that this research seeks to establish are in line with those which impact greatly on the globalization of African nations. This is a phenomenological research that seeks “to illuminate the specific, to identify phenomena through how they are perceived by the actors in a situation” (Lester, 1999, p. 1). The research questions are stated as follows as extracted from the literature review and from the research objectives: 1. To establish how culture affects the acceptance of globalization among African nations in order to discover whether or not African culture benefits or is detrimental to globalization in Africa 2. To establish how culture affects the participation of African nations in globalization processes and policies In this research, we hope to establish how the culture of respondents affects their acceptance and participation in the globalization process. This is possible by collecting qualitative data from respondents based on the research context and data because such data will affect the proposition and theories as mentioned in the literature review. In order to study the elements of this research, case studies shall be conducted on chosen subjects or groups of people in Africa. These groups shall represent different ethnic groups in different nations of Africa. Case study was chosen because 1. It emphasizes on the inductive collection of large amounts of data; therefore is more likely to pick up factors that are not part of the original research focus 2. It is capable of producing thick descriptions of people’s experiences or perspectives within their natural settings (Gray, 2004, p 29). The establishment of the effects of culture on globalization in Africa is a matter of research which is based on current phenomena. Various sources and current time shall be used to answer the questions raised by this research. 3.2 Data Collection and Sampling The primary collector of data in this qualitative research will be the researcher. The processing and analysis of such data shall also be undertaken by this researcher. The interview method shall be utilized using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data collection shall be interactive, with possible follow-up questions fielded to the respondents based on relevance and response to questions in the questionnaire. The data gathering process shall help immerse the researcher into the research topic in order to get a clear and situational understanding of the answers of the respondents based on their values, their culture, and their station in life. Possible biases based on the researcher’s interpretation shall be eliminated by posing similar questions on respondents. The researcher shall also undergo the process of self-examination in order to eliminate and assess his own biases which may interfere with objective data gathering. The researcher shall also factor in observations and non-verbal cues that he may notice from the respondents in order to allow for a more accurate analysis and data gathering method (Grinnell & Unrao, 2008, p. 90). Sampling A small portion of the population shall be chosen for this research. A large sample would not be practicable and would be too costly for this researcher to undertake. Convenience sampling shall be the method which would be used in this research because of practicability and applicability. The respondents shall also be chosen based on their relevance to the topic and their knowledge in relation to the topic. In order to represent the different areas in Africa which shall be included in this research, 10 representatives shall be chosen from the top 5 and the bottom 5 performing nations in Africa. Ten representatives from Botswana, Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, and Ghana shall be chosen; 10 representatives shall also be chosen from Somalia, Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Burundi (World Bank, 2002, as quoted by Herbst, 2005, p. 7). The representatives shall be chosen from different ethnic leaders from various ethnic groups in each country. The diversity of the representatives chosen shall give the researcher a chance to assess the topic based on the status of the nation and the success or failures gained by the nation or ethnic group through globalization. Access to respondents will be made easy through accessible government channels which will be used to avail data about possible respondents. 3.3 Data analysis, reliability, and validity The analysis shall be based on relevance of the responses to the topic of this research. It shall also take into account the socio-economic and cultural status of respondents and the current status of the country in which the respondents come from. An interview shall first be pilot-tested in order to assess for relevance and weakness. Such pilot testing shall then help strengthen the points covered by the questionnaire and to help improve the accuracy of the data gathering process. Improvements on the questionnaire shall then be made accordingly. This data analysis shall take into consideration the following points (Public Health Resource Unit, 2006, p. 4): In-depth description of the analysis process Clarity of themes and categories used in this research Data extraction from original sample clearly stated by researcher Sufficient data presented to support findings Extent to which contradictory statements are taken into account Potential biases in the selection of respondents and in the analysis of data 3.4 Conclusion The research process for this topic can be summarized in the diagram below: Researcher reflecting on setting and his relation to it Researcher describes goals and means of research Sampling/data collection (Case study) Data analysis/interpretation Identification of connections Corroboration (Miller & Crabtree, 1999, as quoted by Schutt, 2006, p. 289) Chapter 4 Conclusion This final chapter now describes the potential limitations, benefits, and contributions of this research. 4.1 Limitations In general, this research is limited in terms of data reliability. The data gathered from this research is bound to reveal various results from the various ethnic cultures of different countries included in this research. Finding cohesiveness in this data will prove to be a challenge because data gathered may not form common patterns and trends. There are also bound to be different interpretations of data based on the researcher’s personal interpretation and analysis. Just as diversity in culture affects globalization in Africa; it may also affect the assessment of data gathered from respondents. 4.2 Benefits and contributions The findings in this research can bring various benefits to political and economic analysts and interest groups. By understanding the effect of culture on globalization among African nations, these analysts and interest groups will be able to gauge where adjustments in either economic policies or cultural practices can be made. On the part of the African people, it will stimulate them to reflect on their culture, which parts they can discard for the sake of globalization, and which ones they have to maintain as a part of their strong cultural identity. Some cultural and ethnic practices of tribes and groups are outdated and no longer serve a purpose in modern society. They often reflect complacency and backwardness. It is prudent for the African people to identify these practices and decide on whether or not to discard them. This research can trigger the African people to assess their practices and decide their destiny in this global world. Follow-up studies on this research may be made to cover a wider area and bigger population of respondents in order to establish consistency and reliability of the conclusions raised by this research. 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