Concept of Cultural Imperialism - Essay Example

?Concept of Cultural Imperialism Table of Contents Thesis ment 3 Discussion 3 Works Cited 7 Thesis ment The paper henceforth emphasizes on the concept of cultural imperialism taking into concern the point of view of Islamic people, especially in the post 9/11 attack period. Discussion In effect of globalization, industrial nations have come across various alterations, specifications, developmental needs and sustainability concerns. Among these, the issue of cultural imperialism has gained immense significance in the worldwide arena indicating towards the requirement of gradually increasing homogeny amid industrialized nations, not only in terms of socio-economic progress but also in terms of cultural indulgence. As connoted by Sarmela, “Cultural imperialism is the economic, technological and cultural hegemony of the industrialized nations, which determines the direction of both economic and social progress, defines cultural values, and standardizes the civilization and cultural environment throughout the world” (Sarmela 13). Hence, considering the instability and struggle of the various nations to understand and thereby react resourcefully towards the accreditations as well as criticisms made by foreign cultures, it can be affirmed that the aspect of cultural imperialism indeed plays a vital role. Contextually, it can also be regarded that forethought to the criticality of the concept (i.e. cultural imperialism), has been argued by various experts associated with different professional dimensions as a means to elaborate homogeny within humankind (Hawksley, “Conceptualising Imperialism in the 21st Century”). A philosophical explanation to the aspect also encourages the arguments on behalf of cultural imperialism, describing it as a fundamental aspect to energize human communication, harmony and socio-economic progress (Gilbert, “Cultural Imperialism Revisited: Counselling and Globalisation”). However, rather than being well thought-out in every industrialized nation, the concept of cultural imperialism has been mostly related with the philosophies considered by the United States of America in relation to its socio-economic progressive initiatives. It is in this context that the concept has often been criticized as an initiative of ‘Americanization’, especially when relating to the socio-economic relationship between the US and the Middle Eastern Islamic countries. This particular concern can be critically analyzed with concern to the study conducted by Rauschenberger (1-35). According to Rauschenberger, many industrialized nations today have been inevitably influenced by the technological developments as well as the philosophical aspirations of America and other developed western countries, which are somewhat impulsively re-shaping the cultural rudiments of those developing nations. The examples include China, Saudi Arabia, France, Iran and Iraq among others. The rudiments of the alterations happening within the national contexts in effect of cultural imperialism, which is also referred as ‘Americanization’ can be identified with reference to the rapid progression of American retail chains, film industry as well as the channelization of societal paradigms in the international podium. It is worth mentioning in this regard that not all the nations have been convivial with such alterations, disregarding their ancient heritage and cultural rudiments for the sake of cultural imperialism (Rauschenberger, “It’s Only a Movie – Right? Deconstructing Cultural Imperialism Examining the Mechanisms Behind U.S. Domination of the Global Cultural Trade”). It is in this context that Islamic nations have often been disparaged in the international context as a major adversary of the US. Even a few of the terrorist attacks on America have been deliberated by the groups as fundamentally motivated by the “perceived American cultural imperialism” (Rauschenberger, “It’s Only a Movie – Right? Deconstructing Cultural Imperialism Examining the Mechanisms Behind U.S. Domination of the Global Cultural Trade”). Although such a statement cannot be proved with sufficient empirical evidences, its effect in the international socio-economic and political environment is inevitable. The turning point of envisioning the actual effects of cultural imperialism in the international environment can be identified with reference to the catastrophe of 9/11. Indeed the event was disgraceful with consideration to humanity, but the motive working behind the attack can present a differing sight to cultural imperialism, or the perceived ‘Americanization’. Where on one hand, the terrorist group al-Qaeda claimed the attack of 9/11 as a response towards the retrospective cultural imperialism conducts of America, neoconservatives in the US political zones have been arguing on the importance of militarization in the borders to counter terrorist intentions (Hendricks, “Immigration, Imperialism and Cultural Genocide”). In correspondence, the US also announced attacks on Islamic nations including Iran and Afghanistan. Observing the viewpoints of international parties, measures in the post 9/11 period initiated by the US were affirmed as anti-terrorism strategies in the way of humanity which deliberately signified cultural harmonization or rather imperialism. However, an in-depth concern to the post 9/11 attack and the measures adopted by the US as well as the way such measures have been interpreted caused a deep impact upon the identification of Islamic religion all around the world (Griffin, “Neocon Imperialism, 9/11, and the Attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq”). Reports also argue that in response to one attack on 9/11, Islamic nations have been attacked multiple times by American as well as Anglo-American military forces, abolishing the civilization in various regions. However, these attacks were headlined and decorated with accreditations signifying such acts as ‘heroic’ and ‘humanitarian-minded’ (Mishra, “After 9/11: Our Own Low, Dishonest Decade”). Standing on such grounds, the conceptual explanation of cultural imperialism can be criticized as narrowed in the 21st century depicting it as a mechanism to obtain global power rather than a tool or concern to preserve equality. Works Cited Gilbert, Jane. “Cultural Imperialism Revisited: Counselling and Globalisation”. Critical Psychology (2004): 1-28. Print. Griffin, David Ray. Neocon Imperialism, 9/11, and the Attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq. 9/11 Commission, 2007. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Hawksley, Charles. “Conceptualising Imperialism in the 21st Century”. School of History and Politics (2004): 1-28. Print. Hendricks, Jeff. Immigration, Imperialism and Cultural Genocide. Tiamat Publications, 2003. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Mishra, Pankaj. After 9/11: Our Own Low, Dishonest Decade. The Guardian, 2011. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Rauschenberger, Emilee. “It’s Only a Movie – Right? Deconstructing Cultural Imperialism Examining the Mechanisms Behind U.S. Domination of the Global Cultural Trade”. New York University (2003): 1-35. Print. Sarmela, Matti. “What Is Cultural Imperialism?” Cultural Imperialism and Cultural Identity (1975): 13-36. Print. Read More