American Culture and Americanization - Term Paper Example

American Culture American Culture American culture is one of the strongest cultures in the whole world. The history of the United States dates back to several centuries. The high proportion of immigrants to the United States, who arrived as slaves, has largely influenced the American culture. Due to its generosity and stable social, economic and political atmosphere, America continues to attract millions of people from all over the globe entering the country in search of greener pastures. American culture is considered superior all over the world. It is hard to judge and give opinion about the Americanization as a truly powerful nation dominates hearts and minds of people. If the world is seeing America everywhere it is the law of nature to favor the mighty. Subtitles1: Americanization The dominance of the American culture has been felt in almost every part of the earth, in what has been termed, Americanization. Americanization is an ideology that dominated the 20th century where immigrants were forced to become Americans through embracing the American culture, dressing and also learning the American English. The American culture has spread widely and is represented by various subcultures including the pop culture. People world over have copied the American culture in terms of language, fashion, self-expression and generally their lifestyle. Be it in Africa, Asia, Europe or Australia, the American culture has been adopted. Subtitle 2: Americanization and Globalization Globalization is a universal term for a compound series of political, cultural, social, economic and technological transformations perceived as increasingly co-dependent and relationship between people and businesses in various locations. Various scholars have argued over the issue of globalization being Americanization and vice versa.  It is hard to confine all the positive things about the American culture in just a few lines. However, there are some aspects that can contribute to the thesis of this paper. The individual liberty is something that the whole world acknowledges about the American culture. The term democracy may be relative but the Americans do not have a dictator or an appointed head of the state ruling them, making regulations that do not represent the public sentiments and values. In fact the U.S. Constitution is over 200 years old, probably the oldest document of its kind on the whole planet. Despite giving freedom to religious followers the American culture dwells and excels in scientific development. The relationship between the state affairs and church is barred by an invisible wall so that no party interferes in others’ matters (Campbell and Kean, 2013). The environment in this country for the scientific discoveries is extraordinary. Countless inventions have been made in this land of opportunities: computers, television, movies, airplanes, electricity, modern railroads, mass production of cars, and so many things have made the average life on earth more comfortable. In addition, there is also the agricultural revolution where a farmer is producing more crops from the same area of land; courtesy the US agricultural technology. The whole world benefits from the medical research that the Americans produce. The American culture doesnt confine any form of arts or artistic expression. Aesthetics are encouraged and promoted here; cinematic entertainment, music, and other forms of arts thrive in the American culture. Every culture has its place in the world with their pros and cons, none is perfect. And the American culture is no exception. It was the Americans that popularized the slave trade. Other colonizers like the Europeans also traded slaves but the way the culture manifested itself in America is exceptional. Without a doubt the American culture has given so much back to the world; freedom of expression, democracy, technology and inventions. However, the trend set by the US regarding money and globalization has also turned people into commodities. It is the American economic culture spreading throughout the world; the culture of living on debt and mortgage is probably its biggest measurable shortfall. It is one thing that the Americans have endured the whole world towards it. But it is also true that these immigrants face racism. There are schools that have huge majority of Hispanics, blacks or whites. This concentrated form of stereotyping can be damaging to the society. This is the shortfall that can spread to other cultures because the Americans are the leaders in narrative formation. They need to understand that the world looks up to that. The global, social and political issues never fail to indulge anyone interested in these topics. Since the time of civilization, the colonialism and the upsurge of independence, have always grasped the attention of the masses. Then the world observed the Cold War, where the Soviets were gradually beaten over a long period of time by much smarter capitalists (Allan, 2006). There is a transition to power and then there is transformation. Time changes everything, power and cultural dominance is no exception. After the Cold War came the influence of what many call the ‘quasi-governments’ (Allan, 2006). These are not the governments that the people are used to. These are cloaked in institutional names such as the World Bank and IMF, and to some extent the United Nations and NATO. The World Bank and the IMF in particular became the global economic police (Allan, 2006). It would be a very long process to sugarcoat their policies and their intentions. In simpler terms their agenda so far has been to tell the underdeveloped/developing nations how to spend their own money. The reward for following their commands is aid. Today the term globalization is overused. People have forgotten what it actually means. It cannot be just jumbled up into a few words and presented as a compact idea. Globalization is an umbrella term that incorporates many complexities of technological, political, social and economic variations. Globalization has turned this world into a small village. The interaction between people, companies and governments has become so rapid and frequent that it is shaping the global culture now, and the story does not end there. It is interesting to note that when a specific narrative is formed there is always ‘for and against’ panel for it. The question arises who has been the greatest supporter of globalization and why? Out of the proponents of the new world order and especially globalization, the USA stands out as the frontrunner. On the surface globalization is harmless. In fact, it has given cell phones to people living the far-fetched areas in Africa. They are now communicating over mobile phones and conducting businesses. However, countries like the USA are probably using globalization as their launching pad of corporate imperialism. Globalization is a loaded term. One view considers globalization a tool for trampling over the basic human rights in under developed and developing countries (Allan, 2006). They do it by claiming to give them prosperity, freedom and democracy. In fact, they are only profiting their own businesses. The reason why America is considered the front-runner of the globalization is because the debate has started has globalization translated into Americanization? In very strict term Americanization actually meant welcoming immigrants from all over the globe and turning them into more American. This process required them to speak English and wear the American dresses, so they can be more acceptable in the American society. Many critics think that globalization is in fact imposing the American culture on the globe (Allan, 2006). Their claims are not full of fluff; widespread chains of fast food restaurants throughout the world is a strong evidence for their claims. Companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds, KFC and Burger King are found on everywhere on earth now. Thomas Friedman is considered the front-runner of globalization, he also sees overdue indulgence of the Americanization in the globalization (Allan, 2006). According to him globalization in so many ways has become Americanization. (Allan, 2006). He paints a vivid picture of what globalization has turned into. It wears Mickey Mouse ears, drinks Coke/Pepsi, eats BigMacs, and uses IBM laptop and Windows for its computing. Many societies around the globe simply cannot get enough of it, making efforts to be more American. This might not seem harmful but there are people who consider this a fundamental threat because Americanization is eating up local cultures across the globe. Americanization has reached the far-fetched corners of the earth where people are feeling proud in leaving behind their ways of living. The Americanization has become so strong that the airtight Chinese society is also affected. Globalization is considered a measure of influence of the United States on the cultures across the globe. The American culture is becoming a substitute for theirs. This can be good or bad depending on the purpose behind it. If it is imposed on a country then it will engulf local culture but when a society wants to become more American by speaking and thinking like Americans then it does have some positive ambiance to it. The greatest matter of concern is what the imperialist businessmen is going to get out of Americanization. The American companies now have easy access to more Americans outside of America. They can market their products all over the globe because their customer base just expanded. Other companies from other countries are at a serious disadvantage due to this fact. Globalization does not serve them the way it serves American companies. The Americanization comes in many colors and tastes. The land of immigrants is now reaching out to other areas where the people are definitely not coming to the United States but still they are being influenced living in their own countries. The sense of style and dressing including genes sports shoes T-shirts in the American culture. It is termed as casual but the sense of style is more suited accustomed to the American culture. There is no need of proof that the American entertainment industry dominates the world. The Hollywood movie studios, their TV production houses and the American music industry, influences billions around the world. An album is released of a famous American artist and the whole world sings along. If someone does not know about the latest Nikki Minaj, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, or Justin Biebers song hey are considered cut off from the mainstream culture. It is supposed to be globalization but in fact it is the Americanization. The debate of globalization versus Americanization is also manifested into popular culture versus the American culture. The transmission of the American culture is done through several channels. The most influential of these is the electronic media. Television is a drug, it has been the most potent tool for Americanizing the whole world. The motion picture from Hollywood are portrayed on the television screens entertaining the whole world. Theyre getting more information in their subconscious then they knowingly receive. When the Hollywood directors get together and think about creating a character that rides a heavy motorbike, smokes a cigarette and goes to win cash in casinos, the whole world thinks this is what their dream should look like. They want to live life like these characters so they can move in the society. This is trendsetting at its best. The desirable female figure with thin legs and blonde hair has become a symbol of beauty and femininity across the world. The concept of a beautiful woman is now more like an American woman. The tribes of Africa or the societies in the Middle East never heard of music genres like rap music or country but now they are. The Americans have spread their culture, which has become so popular that it is the mainstream culture now. The world loves to listen to hip hop, rock, R&B music. Over 90% of the pioneers of these music genres were born or raised in the United States. Music should be acknowledged not as singular but something that is contested and plural (Coulter, 2002). Music is heard, listened and interpreted. For convenience it is better to consider the American popular culture in place of the popular culture because many countries have not started to follow the American award systems like Oscars and Academies, and are giving out Grammys for music performances. One can simply switch on an African channel and see that similar beauty and talent shows are hosted. Americans have crafted and excelled and made billions of dollars through these shows. The followers have named these awards differently but follow the same trend. The entertainment world wears a face which is American. There are many countries around the globe that make tremendous effort to construct theme parks like the American Disney World. In fact the language English does not originate in the United States immigrants brought it here but now the American English is more popular and acceptable. The American English is becoming a symbol of modernism. One can go to any country and ask about the major popular icons and 9/10 names would be American. People like Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Elvis Presley, Al Pacino, Michael Jackson and the Rolling Stones etc. are just a few names popular everywhere. During the 90s globalization was the focal point of social sciences. Many commentators think that the capital and commodities across international boundaries are eroding and obliterating what was considered local. The wave of globalization is wiping away anything unique. Any political or social debate triggers different points of views and responses. Anthony Giddens, a high modernist, considers that an ordinary individual will have easy access to transform his local environment according to what is now considered the mainstream, envious environment of the global community (Willett, 2000). To understand how Americans have influenced the fashion industry here is an example how jeans has become part of the global fashion. Working men, physical labor and the American ways have given rise to the blue jeans, fundamental satire that apparently stems from sentiments of democratic nature, equality and freedom (Davis, 1994). The way a person dresses represents their mood and ideology. Religious fanatics adorn their religious attires. They also flaunting their beliefs through their clothes. It is the same in popular culture, where ideologies of modernistic views and novel ideas are represented in a person’s dress. For instance jeans has become a symbol of liberty. It represents a strong opposition to the dominant and conservative forces. Blue jeans according to its historical importance became vivid means for announcing “anti-establishment sentiments” (Davis, 1994, p.70). There is an in-depth social science that defines how fashion and culture stem and become popular in the society. Undoubtedly there are people that defend the sociological enterprises. The fashion choices of the shoppers at the big American departmental stores at the fall defines the fashion trends and merchandising strategies. Davis (1994) goes on to call that this is how fashion “happens” (p. 114). This gives the American culture monopolistic power. To understand the concept of this monopolistic power it is better to go step-by-step through the historical evidence for instance the 18th century global exchanges, the 20th century consumerism and finally the Americanization. They all have progress virtually in isolation from each other, and they seem to stem from different sources. However there is a correlation between these three as they come in sequential order. They do influence each other in a cause-and-effect relationship. Americanization and the monster of global consumerism do not mean the same thing. Geographers, anthropologists and researchers emphasize that local cultures is important in creating the global culture. Having said that when it comes to the point of tracing back hybridity or globalization there are a few historians that link past and present through a vivid model where the Americanization turns out to be an unsustainable global consumerism, highly dependent on fossil fuels, addictive buying behaviors and automobiles (Trentmann, 2009). Consumerism turns out to be an evil impulse that is confined only within unlimited material desire which is no longer countered by other values. Therefore consumerism has turned out to be an ideal that creates its links with Western materialism. Selfish desires give rise to a commercial culture and then individuals are judged according to these materialistic values. It was a transnational achievement mobilizing non-European knowledge, technological advancement, labor and other resources. Many of these sources made it to the international trade like Indian textiles and many were forced through enslavement and slave plantations (Trentmann, 2009). The global consumerism has the USA at its origin (Trentmann, 2009). This form of consumerism is also termed as the self-critical inversion; the rise of the Western values that replaced the positive commerce and law with dark materialistic view of the world. The Americanization or the consumer culture is limitless in its territory and social ambitions. It find its competition in the Europeans, bounded by nation, class and ethnicity. For this reason this creates a conflict between the materialistic worlds, most notably American culture and other civilizations. The European societies have their own culture and social dynamics; dance clubs, advertisements, tourism etc. One needs to go into the background of Americanization. It is not only Californication or the Washington think tanks spraying American culture over the globe. There is stark similarity between Berlin and Chicago as researchers suggest that the cultural transfer is never a one-way traffic. From this perspective Americanization is in fact a hybrid form because the Europeans took certain American values and mixed with their own inherited traditions this gave rise to a new culture. The influence of American culture on Europe is evident from the famine of 1840s when the whole of Ireland was dependent on American potato (Peskin & Wehrle, 2011). It also means that the Americanization did not receive the same welcome in each country. In fact it had different influences in different countries. They received it in such a way that France, Britain and Germany, all have different forms of Americanization in their own culture. The American way of giving peace a chance by reaching out and selling their products was borrowed from the British but they took it a step further. The British Imperial colonial mission was to spread civilization through business and commerce. The advertisers and businessmen were in fact missionaries. They replaced the peace atonement and gospel with culture of best practices and the material comfort. But it was boundless and this effort continued to send people up the hill of consumption. If there was any other country as dominant as America, it would have been their culture permeating through other nations, and the world would be discussing them, not the Americans. The Americans can win the narrative formation war any time as they have monopoly over media outlets and entertainment channels. They have shaped the perspective of the world. They decide what is mainstream and what should be ditched. Flaws are inherent in any culture. Americans get discussed a lot because they have the dominant culture. They have influenced the world through it. It is the law of nature that the powerful asserts their culture over the weak. When Romans were the super power, it was their say that made the world spin, when the Greeks wore the crown, they made the rules, when it was the time of Persians, they covered the world with their magic. Now is the time of the Americans. Even if it means replacing globalization with Americanization or replacing popular culture with American culture, it is all according to the laws. References Allan B. (2006). “Americanization or Globalization?” Global Envision. Accessed Jan. 30, 2014. Retrieved http://www.globalenvision.org/library/33/1273. Campbell, N. & Kean, A. (2013) American cultural studies: An introduction to American culture. Abingdon: Routledge. Coulter, C. (2002) Popular Music and Youth Culture: Music, Identity and Place by Andy Bennett. Popular Music. Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 141-143 Davis, F. (1992). Fashion, culture and identity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.  Peskin, L. A., and Wehrle. E. F. (2011). America and the world: Culture, commerce, conflict. New York: JHU Press. Trentmann, F. (2009) Crossing divides: Consumption of globalization in history. Journal of Consumer Culture. 9(2). 187-220. Read More