Reading journal - Essay Example

Reading Journal: “Fear Not Globalization” In the article, “Fear Not Globalization”, which appeared in the Newsday in October 8, 2002, Joseph Samuel Nye Jr. argues that globalization does not homogenize or Americanize different cultures in the world. Nye Jr. argues that globalizations and modernization are closely related and that both have less impact on homogenizing world cultures. Despite the fact that modernization has brought about changes such new structures and improved technology, Nye Jr.

argues that indigenous cultures are still intact. On the other hand, Nye Jr. provides an example of how industrialization in major developed countries does not dictate the pattern of development in other countries. Nye Jr. states that there were more differences than similarities in industrial development in Britain, Germany, American and Japan (1). Moreover, Nye Jr. points out that industrial development in China, India and Brazil will not reflect that of U.S and Germany when completed (1).

Additionally, Nye Jr. argues that the influence of America in other country is ‘situational’ and will diminish with time. According to him, the U.S was in the forefront in the current information revolution hence Americanizing other cultures through television programs and internet. However, if any other country took the place of Americans, the same would have happened (Nye Jr. 1). Of more importance, Nye Jr. maintains that some have strongly held to their cultural identity. For instance, the Japanese are persistent to their unique culture despite external influences from other countries.

In addition, Nye Jr. argues that vibrant cultures borrow useful ideas from other cultures that need not to be the U.S (1). Finally, Nye Jr. points out that globalization is a double edged sword citing that in some incidences, the American culture has not only received a backlash but there have been efforts to change the culture itself. For example, the American policies concerning capital punishment and genetically modified foods draw a lot of criticism in Europe (Nye Jr. 1). Further, Nye Jr.

argues that the American culture will diminish as people from other areas of the world gain increased technological capabilities (1). Interestingly, this article relates to several current personal experiences at various areas. Firstly, globalization has led to change in the modes used in teaching students in school. For instance, in the recent past, our tutors began training us through online programs that enabled easy assessment of individual performance. Secondly, at individual level, due to the technological advancement brought about by globalization, I have been able to connect easily with friends living in different parts of the world easily through online social websites such as Facebook.

Further, this article relates effectively with our unit readings in several ways. To start with, the article addresses various methods in which globalization process has transformed various regions in the world. Similarly, our unit readings discussed the effects of globalizations in different sections of the world. However, the article by Nye Jr. has argued several facts that indicate that globalization does not pose negative effects to community cultures, something not dealt with intensively in our unit readings.

In conclusion, Nye Jr. has helped us to understand a unique aspect of globalization not conversant to many people. In precise, Nye Jr. has pointed out that every country has a potential to influence other parts of the world. In addition, we have understood that Americanization is a product of rapid technological advancement in the U.S, something that can happen to any other country in the world. Works CitedNye Jr., Joseph. “Fear Not Globalization”. Newsday 7 Oct. 2002. Web. 26 Jun. 2014.

< http://www.newsday.com/fear-not-globalization-1.343498 >.