Globalization and Culture - Research Paper Example

Globalization and Culture Task: Content Page ……………………………………………………………………………..3 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………...4 Literature Review…………………………………………………………………….4 Discussion……………………………………………………………………………...5 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………….10 Globalization and Culture Abstract Globalization has been widely described as the interconnection between states and their cultures through trade, technology, sports and other forms. Therefore, due to globalization there have been several effects felt such as change in language, habits, dreams, dress code among others in the cultures of nations interacting with one another. For example, according to Jaenicke while writing in the journal of International Forum of Psychoanalysis, he argues that culture has an effect on dreams. However, he says that cultural attributes do not follow the accepted regular responses of certain cultures brought by globalization. On the other hand, globalization and culture have an effect on language in terms of how people converse both formally and informally. Furthermore, when it comes to dress code, citizens from around the world are copying the fashion sense of Western nations especially the U.S. These clothes include designer jeans, coats, scarves, t-shirts among others. In addition, globalization has both positive implications such as promotion of human rights and empowerment of the poor and negative implications such the broadening gap between rich and poor nations. In conclusion, globalization should both be taken as a curse and a blessing to humanity as it has its merits and demerits. 1. Introduction This paper is going to discuss the effects of globalization and culture in the modern world. For instance, there has been economic development because of various interactions between people of different cultures. Therefore, the main objectives of the paper are to discover why the world has evolved in terms of globalization and cultures. On that note, globalization is the increasing association such as legal, scientific, economic and cultural connections between persons and countries around the world. On the other hand, culture involves the belief, art, morals, law, and customs ad among other capabilities attained by humanity as members of the society. The limits of the report include the inability to explain the direct link between globalization and culture of different nations (Alon & Richard, 2006). However, the methods of enquiry in compiling the report include the use of secondary materials such books and internet sources. The background of this research goes back from the days of long distance trade routes that emerged out of transport systems to the modern days of planes and policies propelling economies to influence globalization. 2. Literature Review (a) What is Globalization? Yazdani describes globalization as progressing interconnectedness between countries and people around the globe though methods such as investment, popular culture, trade, travel and other methods of interaction (Yazdani, 2009). He continues to write that effects of globalization just like other countries around the world have influenced Central Asia societies. This has appeared as a change in the lives of their people, their thought patterns and logic of imaginative expression. For example, maintaining the religious traditions, safeguarding linguistic purity, protecting social institutions and upholding practical identity amidst all these global pressures. On that aspect, the journal looks on the significant function of Islam in Central Asia’s issues in terms of globalization. In addition, Yazdani attempts to comprehend how the development if globalization effect Islam on its responsibility concerning Central Asia. On the other hand, Sanagavarapu examines globalization from the social, cultural and economic aspect. These aspects include language, global economies, consumerism and global culture (Sanagavarapu, 2010). Similarly, Yazdani argues that cultural globalization has been thrust on the Islamic world under hard times. This has resulted to less impact of religion in politics which according Yazdani are the factors that play a crucial role in shaping globalization. Thus, on that aspect, the writer stresses that Islam has only influenced society but not the political world of Central Asia. (b) Globalization and dreams In this paper, Jaenicke investigates the connection between globalization and the culture of dreaming. He starts by dismissing that no impact of globalization upon human beings can influence how they dream. According to the writer, he wonders how individual dreams become more consistent with the progressing conventionality in the general manner of speaking and acting in the globalized world. Furthermore, he notes that cultural background, necessary feelings of familiarity, the feelings of being at home lack any major influence in how people dream. In the dream, observes the writer, cultural attributes seem to play a different function (Jaenicke, 2010). For instance, realistic experience implies that normal cultures such as shaking of hands among Western nations or bowing as per the Eastern countries cannot be a subject in dreams as long as they seem regular topics amongst people. However, abnormal things, which may be described as deviation of normality, which are familiar with cultural habits and norms can find a place in dreams. For instance, when a person is denied an expected handshake, it may be a significant issue of dream seeking for interpretation. Alternatively, Jaenicke explains that cultural attributes only enter people’s dreams as illustrations of probing normality, specifically stressing on personal meaning (Jaenicke, 2010). In conclusion, he says dreams deal with the very personal responses to general human issues. These issues do not follow the accepted regular responses of certain cultures brought by globalization. (c) Globalization and its effects on culture and dreams In this journal, Sanagavarapu tries to compare the cultural repercussions of globalization for parenting amongst immigrant families. It points out that, in a global framework, the parenting methods of immigrant families have a chance of being hybridized. This happens as they try to adjust to the cultural differences in parenting in their own country. The author continues examine the significance of family as a unit when evaluating the social and cultural effects of globalization from both local and global aspect (Sanagavarapu, 2010). He continues to explain migration, as a complicated process for families, since it comprise of psychological and social cultural adaptations. Furthermore, the effects of migration upon families include the geographical scattering of the family that has significant impacts on family units, family structures and their regular lives. Alternatively, Jaenicke explains that cultural attributes enter people’s dreams as illustrations of probing normality, specifically stressing on personal meaning. He continues to say dreams deal with the very personal responses to general human issues. Therefore, these issues do not follow the accepted regular responses of certain cultures brought by globalization (Jaenicke, 2010). Similarly, Sanagavarapu explains how each family is made up cultural customs and practices linked with raising up children. On that aspect, globalization is exercising an important effect on families through migration. According to the journal, families will be forced to bargain various local and global forces. In addition, globalization is also affecting households via the global media and information technology. These forms of communication have emerged as new methods of socialization amongst many families. Alternatively, globalization is also supporting the values of materialistic, aspirations, consumerism, individualism, academic excellence and a compulsion to learn English as a universal language. This is especially exerted upon the immigrant families and their children. 3. Discussion Effects of Globalization on Culture As discussed by various scholars in the various journals, globalization has numerous effects on culture. This paper is going to explore some of the below. (a) Effect on language Language, for example, English, is considered the universal language of trade among different nations and there it dominant. It is estimated that about 80% of data found in world’s computers is in English. Therefore, there have been deep fears of linguistic domination upon non-English countries. This includes forcing the English speaking upon these nations. Furthermore, people are being acquainted with the life-worlds and linguistic performances of their interlocutors (Buzan, 2010). In that aspect, they do not use the same semantic prospects. Furthermore, basic information is communicated with the least of formalities and limited shared knowledge. In addition, urban language is considered to have less one-word statements than the language found in the village. Alternatively, elements, which act as modifiers such as ‘also’ or ‘please’, are several. Similarly, the language of the urban people has different coordination of address. For instance, individual pronouns are restoring kinship as the chief style of address. Additionally, cultural critics argue that because of globalization, people are able to communicate with one another irrespective of the syntax and the grammar of the English language. For instance, young people are able to converse with their peers using different codes as opposed when they converse with their parents (Pieterse, 2009). Linguists refer to this as code switching as it enables the communicator to use different formalities in communication with the respective recipient. (b) Effect of Habits There are a number of ways in which globalization has affected the habits of people. For example, there are eating methods, entertainment, fashion, parenting and other different habits copied by other cultures. On that note, it is significant to note that through interactions of countries through media such as televisions, radios and magazines, societies, for instance, use spoons and metallic plates while eating. This is because they have seen it in other advanced countries. Furthermore, different foodstuffs such as snacks, soda and burger are universally eaten by way of habit because they are common globally (Hopper, 2007). When it comes to a habit such as parenting, families around the world have been affected by globalization in different ways. For example, most parents do not cane their children these days, as opposed to the old days. This is because of the notion spread by various media and leaders that children have their fundamental rights (Haynes, 2002). Similarly, parents have adopted the system of employing house helps who take care of their children as go to work. All these are the effects of globalization in influencing the cultures of other countries altering their normal habits. (c) Effects of Dress Code When it comes to dress code, globalization has created an impact in the form of fashion. This is through wearing of different forms of fashions worn by other nations due to the nations’ superiority (Alon & Richard, 2006). For example, most countries copy various dressing styles and fashion from Western countries especially America. Cloths such designer jeans, t-shits, suits and sport shoes among others are won many citizens across the globe. There exist other popular designer clothes from countries such as Italy, France, Britain and others that are won by people from Africa, Latin America, and Asian countries. There are popular fashions that have been copied such as coats, scarves and caps won across every country. Therefore, cultures continue to transform due to effects of globalization. (d) Positive and Negative Implications However, despite the presence of globalization amongst cultures in changing peoples’ lives, it has several positive and negative implications we are going to discuss below: Positive implications include the following: for example, globalization has beneficial repercussions including better economic recovery of markets. In addition, globalization has resulted in effective international institutions such the UN, World Bank, IMF among others that help people across the world. There are also effective mechanisms that assist in solving problems and increased political space due to democracy among most countries. Furthermore, globalization has an effect upon political, social and economic behavior. Other positive effects include making civil society groups stronger and organizations that support the common citizens such as NGOs (Pieterse, 2009). This helps in the promotion of self-mobilization the underprivileged and their active participation community and national governance. Negative implications, on the other hand, include political strife and war both within and between nations. In addition, globalization leads to poverty because of streamlining of global production. Similarly, there are increased migratory, and refuge travels in the industrialized countries to seek for better opportunities of life (Haynes, 2002). Another implication is the rising disparities between developed nations and other countries around the world in terms of economic and environmental conditions. Conclusion In summary, we can note a few things. For instance, we can define globalization as the interconnectedness between countries and people around the globe though methods such as investment, popular culture, trade, travel and other methods of interaction. Similarly, globalization affects culture in significant ways (Buzan, 2010). For example, it affects the way people communicate through the use a universal language such as English, it also affects dress code, habits, technology among others in different nations. Furthermore, globalization as a form of civilization has both positive effects and negatives upon various cultures. References Alon, I., & Richard, L. (2006). Globalization, language, and culture. New York, NY: Infobase Publishing. Buzan, B. (2010). Culture and international society. International Affairs, 86 (1), 1-26. Haynes, J. (2002). Politics in the developing world: a concise introduction. Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell Publishing. Hopper, P. (2007). Understanding cultural globalization. Malden, MA: Polity. Jaenicke, U. (2010). Does globalization affect our dreams? An inquiry into the subject matter of dreaming. International Forum of Psychoanalysis, 19, 92-97. Pieterse, J. (2009). Globalization and culture: global mélange. Lanham, MA: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Sanagavarapu, P. (2010). What does cultural globalization mean for parenting in immigrant families in the 21st century? Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 35, 36-42. Yazdani, E. (2009). Globalization and the Role of Islam in the post-Soviet Central Asia. Turkish Journal of International Relations, 8 (2), 53-69. Read More