The Effects of Globalization on the Forms of Entertainment - Essay Example

? Topic: The effects of globalization on the forms of entertainment in contemporary societies. In many ways the world is becoming one large market than a series of separate national markets. The same goods and services can be found in many countries throughout the world. Globalization is the term now widely used to describe the increased worldwide competition between businesses. When investment, trade and cultural exchange happen internationally between different countries of the world and consequently bring changes to society and global economy, we call it globalization. This term is most commonly used to describe the effects of international trade but applies to trade of all sorts of industries. Global village is a terminology used to describe a new kind of globalization presenting us with an interconnected world and a global collected culture. Globalization affects world economies and cultural identities. There are several reasons for this increasing global competition. Free trade agreements and economic unions have reduced protection for industries. Consumers can now purchase goods and services from other countries with no import controls. Improved travel links and communications between all parts of the world have made it easier to compare prices and qualities of goods from many countries. This has further developed as the internet has become more widely available worldwide. Business in every sector of the economy are now striving to enter the global market be it science, manufacturing or entertainment industry. Globalization has led to more choice and lower price for consumers. It has forced firms to look for ways of increasing efficiency. Inefficient producers have gone out of business. Many firms have merged with foreign businesses to make it easier to sell in foreign markets. This is one of the reasons behind the growth of entertainment industry (Stimpson, 2006). Globalization has a positive impact on almost everybody as it generally helps to creates greater economic value. Globalization is able to provide equal distribution of the added value. The process of globalization must focus on letting go of the economic self-interest by respecting different religious and cultural values for the benefit of all classes of people. It must be beneficial for everybody by developing a global world outlook that boosts up the mutual and common values of all cultures. When we talk about the effects of globalization on all forms of entertainment in contemporary societies, it is important to realize that it is the global mass culture that we are dealing with. It comprises of new and modern ways of cultural exchange in the entertainment sector which may include movies, music, television and internet to name a few. Accumulated forms of communication create images that cross different linguistic boundaries more quickly and conveniently than many goods and services. This global mass culture has entered, influenced and revolutionized the lives of people in modern societies and this culture of imagery and graphic arts has altered the forms of entertainment, leisure and fashions of advertising. Mainly the Western culture has a strong manipulative influence on cultural values (Robertson, 2008). Globalization especially in the entertainment industry is mainly criticized for affirming other country’s cultures and traditions onto another. People of ethnic beliefs do not easily accept the interference of different and modern cultures and traditions for it alters their own cultural identity and personality. This can be observed when people’s decade old lifestyles start transforming and with a change in their culture and norms change with foreign influences. With globalization or entrance of different cultures in the world economy, humans try more than ever to preserve their cultural identities and traditions. This diversion of culture comes as a threat to them. But the point is to realize, accept and acknowledge cultural differences and diversity across the world. This is called cultural pluralism. This occurs with cultural exchange in the form of communication, cultural dialogue and amalgamation between countries of the world. This world dimension and diversity and pluralism of culture play with people’s identities. A balanced approached should be encouraged to provide equilibrium in this globalization of entertainment and not just oppose the cultural uniformity, nationalism or segregation. Although globalization bind the world together through global mass media and this increased communication flow across borders allows information to be transmitted easily between individuals and organizations. There is a superior speed of transportation of commodities between people. The global village effect reduces cultural barriers. However, it brings a threat from a handful of organizations that control the world media by limiting cultural expression and that can lead to violent reactions by people in order to protect and preserve their cultural heritage (Shore, 2005). Contemporary globalization in the entertainment industry has great impacts on the social and cultural norms of a society with transformation of identities. With the increasing intervention of globalization and appearance of cyberspace, it has started dominating the culture, identity and polity of different countries. It helps to even out and also differentiate identities. We now observe new forms of self-expression and enunciation. The entertainment industry revolves around different forms of art, literature, poetry, music and movies. Globalization affects all these forms by legitimizing the status quo and ignoring the norms of societies. It builds social transformation to new levels. Global consumerism can affect some logical identities in lifestyles and virtual arts. Globalised entertainment form new identities that maintain their domination at the cost of divided chauvinism and prejudice in contemporary societies. It has strong influence over cultural resistance and youth cultures. The youth is more vulnerable to any kind of influence be it good or bad. It gives a rise to mixed and submerged identities, not too sure and confident about one’s beliefs and opinions. These problems of confused identities are also linked to cyberspace. Those people who are happy with the globalised effect on consumerism, enjoy the new goods and products of entertainment while maintaining a certain status quo. While, some resist it openly and try to get free from these globalised entertainment. With globalization, many automated and deskilled jobs have been created and most of the youth is either not happy or are estranged with new systems and its requirements. Some might find great entertainment in the rock music of Eminem and just listen to it for enjoyment, while some might misinterpret professional wrestling being shown on TV and try to follow it blindly. These contrasting scenarios do injustice to the global order. This leads to interrogation of the difficulties of the global economy such as economic disparities, environmental exploitation and not fulfilling human rights. This further gives rise to alienation and power exploitation at work (Baghwati, 2004). We have seen that globalization along with internet has become an important cause for both cultural dominance and resistance and has led to the advent of new kinds of identities and communities. We will now more specifically discuss the effects of globalization on different forms of entertainment with examples from my own country, Pakistan. If we look at history, ancient times also give us vivid examples of architecture and art has always fused with the local art and culture of the Mughal era. Great explorers from all areas of the world tried to come and capture our land. Some used to settle in and start their lives with their own norms impacting the surrounding people and cultures. For example, the Turks are known for building innumerous monuments, mosques and tombs in their own style but amalgamating with the Mughal theme. In around 326 BC, Alexander, the Great reached and invaded the subcontinent bringing with him his own culture and identity and incursion of art which led to a new form of art called Pak-Indo-Greek art. The statue of Bamiyana Buddha in Kandahar is a great example of this art form. Those were ancient times, but even today, our forms of entertainment are widely accepted and used by people worldwide. The unique and typical form of Pakistani Sufi poetry is very popular in the rest of the world. Poets try to make a fusion with this mystic and spiritual aspect of poetry first initiated by great scholars and philosophers like Baba Bulleh Shah. Sufi poetry is not only used in written works of different poets but also as lyrics in various countries’ music. The film industry is becoming increasingly globalized lately. We know that the export rates of US and UK movies have been quite high since a last few years; this has led to more export of Asian and European films in the global film market. This transformation of consumption has affected the production of films. Hollywood is famous for out-sourcing labor intensive production technologies like latest technical and digital distribution facilities to India, Pakistan and other countries, Asian and European films have become large scale and international. Likewise, contemporary societies are also affected by globalization of entertainment in say, for example the Pakistani movie entertainment industry called, Lollywood. Many film producers now go abroad for the shooting of their films and videos for it provides them with the much-needed scenic beauty and also results in being cost-effective. Getting permission to shoot a movie in Pakistan has become difficult and costly for its issues of corruption and piracy. Technicians and cameramen are hired from other countries that are more experienced and professional in their work and help to create a new aura to their cinematography. Our local professionals are given special courtesy and privileges as it boosts the foreign country’s tourism industry and helps in good publicity. Some governments often offer grants and finance to film producers if the film’s subject is positively impacting their country like in cases of war refugees or respectable culture and tradition. The outlook has now changed with news spreading that Lollywood is now going global. Not only that, foreign film producers and directors also cast our actors for they have their own personal style of acting. Then there are some joint ventures where foreign and local cast and crew amalgamate together to produce better films, dramas and music. For example the movie made on the murder case of Daniel Pearl in 2007, called A Mighty Heart, was directed by American director Michael Winterbottom but had cast member from Pakistan and India as well alongside Angelina Jolie. Even some parts of the movie were even shot on the streets of Pakistan (IMDB, 2007). Each country and their people have their own distinctive taste, style and persona. So this cultural exchange of ideas and expertise help to provide us with new, better and diversified forms of entertainment to enjoy. It benefits the final consumer at the end. However, there are some disadvantages of globalised entertainment business like when Indian or English movies start to show at local Pakistani theatres, the audience is diverted towards foreign products neglecting local cinema. People will stop watching local films just like how they are inclined and attracted towards buying imported goods and services instead of domestic ones. This emergence of global films can force local film makers out of business. This means no revenue for the film business and producers will have no money to invest into new film projects. This can lead to unemployment for actors, technicians, directors and other film related people. There will be closure of cinema houses and dedicated people will be deprived of local entertainment. But at the same time, it will instill the determination to become more efficient in terms of quality so that local films can compete in the international market. This way world entertainment industry and economy will prosper and flourish. There is a great demand for Pakistani music and pop singers in particular in the neighboring countries like India. Indian pop singers lack the kind of talent we have in Pakistan, although their film music is far better than ours. Huge film productions want to hire Pakistani pop artists to give music to their hit films. Their talent is both recognized and acknowledged over there, because there is a certain gap in the music market that we get to fill. So there are international business opportunities for our artists abroad. This is another example of how globalization has helped the entertainment sector to grow globally. Globalization in the forms of entertainment has helped entertainment businesses to become more efficient and competitive at local and international levels. There is now a more complex but globally diversified entertainment industry worldwide with new and modern strategies and policies. (Word count = 2042) References: Agh, 2006, "The Conflict of National and Western Cultures in the Third World," in Philosophy and Culture (Budapest: 1983), p. 79. Bhagwati, Jagdish. 2004. in Defense of Globalization. Oxford University Press. Erwin Laszlo, 2008 "The Role of Culture in Development," in Erwin Laszlo and Ivan Vitanyi, European Culture and World Development, p. 22. Imdb.com Internet Movie Database. A Mighty Heart 2007, Imbd.com, Inc. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0829459/ Shore Herbert, 2005 "Culture, Development and Human Values," in Culture and Development. Budapest: Corvine, p. 41. Karen Borrington and Peter Stimpson. (2006) IGCSE Business Studies. London, John Murray publishers. 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