Globalization Processes in Quebec - Research Paper Example

Political Science - Politics in Quebec (Canada Introduction. The topic of globalization has generated substantial attention among the academic community, civil society, and decision makers within Quebec. Besides playing host to a rich culture, Quebec has witnessed dynamism in economic and political life. Globalization processes have undoubtedly altered the social, cultural, and economic image of Quebec and Canada at large. Globalization in this case infers the materialization of international communication systems and a global free market of cultural goods. Globalization encompasses a critical transformation of economics, technology, and politics, coupled with a fast-changing set of beliefs, values, and attitudes. Cultural globalization refers to the emergence of a combination of values and beliefs even across the world. Globalization is associated with a clash of ideas, lifestyles, and identities, as well as enhanced interdependence within the international community. The amplification of international migration and advancement of technology has led to an increased ethnic and cultural diversification of societies. Canada hosts a constantly increasingly number of immigrants, majority of who originate in cultural1 environments that do not share similar values with the host society (Di Sciulo 2011, p. 28).1 The pressure of globalization on language and culture has triggered a remarkable range of research and analysis. This is certainly true in Canada where scholars and policy makers have long been anxious on the impact of globalization on local culture and language. The problem has aroused keen interest, especially owing to Canada’s geographical and cultural proximity to the U.S., the world’s biggest exporter of cultural products, as well as Canada’s internal division of twin population, French and English. Of recent, issues 2of globalization, ethnicity, and politics of identity have been dominant in Canada, especially in the region of Quebec. Most inhabitants of Quebec have raised concerns on the effects that cultural homogenization could have on Quebec’s distinct culture and language (Fletcher 1998, p. 360). 2 Background. Most Quebeckers are fearful that increased globalization will lead to language loss or language shift together with their cherished cultural heritage. Language shift in this case refers to circumstances in which speech communities witness gradual displacement of a certain language by another. The language question in Quebec has constantly aroused mixed feelings of anxiety and passion enveloping maintenance of cultural and linguistic diversity. Language laws in Quebec are opposed to enhancing the level of Anglicization in certain segments of society. The topical debate in Quebec revolves around adoption of anti-globalization discourse in protection of Quebec unique language and culture (Di Sciulo 2011, p. 30).3 The culture of Quebec materialized over the last few centuries as an outcome of shared history of the French-speaking majority in Quebec. Quebec culture is exceptional to the Western World, as demonstrated by the fact that Quebec is the only region in North America inhabited by French-speaking majority. Quebec is also one of the two provinces in Canada where French language is a constitutionally recognized official language. Quebec is a melting pot of diverse cultures as it has strong connections to the rest of Canada, the United Kingdom, the U.S., and France. Quebec is often labeled as a crossroad between America and Europe owing to diffusion of both European and American culture. Quebec’s unique features are the application of French language, which has had an extensive impact on social organization and shaping of institutions that are distinct to Quebec, especially in the arena of the educational system, culture, and administration of justice, as well as means of communication and governance (Fletcher 199, p. 363). 4 The French language is one of the prominent aspects of Quebec’s cultural heritage. French language can be 3considered to be the vehicle of Quebec culture. Quebec presents an independent Canadian treasure of both language and culture. In order to preserve and promote French language, the Quebec government created Quebec Office of the French Language, whose mission is spelt out in the Charter of the French Language. The Charter directs two other organizations (Superior Council of the French Language and Geographical Names Board) to intervene in matters regarding the promotion of French language in Quebec (Dick 2011, p. 40).5 The Charter of the French Language (1974), also referred to as Bill 101, defines French, the language of the majority, as the official language of Quebec, and goes to the extent of entrenching fundamental language rights. The charter can be considered as the principal legislative piece in Quebec’s language policy. This makes French the language of instruction, work, communication, commerce, and business. The policy of utilitarian bilingualism led to French becoming economically useful. One of the overriding debates in Quebec hinges on whether local politics can effectively oppose cultural influences of globalization. Globalization is grounded in the processes of speedy technological and economic changes, which result to an enhanced communication and integration of communities. Globalization has exposed the fragility of French Language and culture in Quebec. The forces4 of globalization have had direct consequences on Quebec’s cultural identity. There is growing fears within the population of loss of language and identity, the very heritage of the Quebec society owing to globalization. Quebec’s preoccupation in dealing with its own identity crisis brought about by globalization has led to adoption of protective measures to shield Quebec from exposure to identities and cultures, which may be detrimental to its own existence (Austin and Sallabank 2011, p. 56).6 Challenges that Globalization Pose for the Protections of Quebec (French) Culture and Language. One of the prominent challenges that globalization poses to maintenance of Quebec culture and language centers on striking a balance between the vectors of cultural goods and services. Maintaining the duality in cultural goods, as vectors of identity and values, as well as objects of commerce, is one of the challenges that confront Quebec government. In a globalizing world, identities (individual or collective) are shaped by diverse factors. The pressure of homogenization and assimilation poses a severe challenge to individuals and groups when the subjects are forced to give up part of their identities, especially in cases where the subjects are the minority. Homogenization refers to the process by which different cultures become more alike; on the other hand, assimilation infers the process by which the minority culture adopts a dominant culture and becomes integrated into it. This has raised fears of an onset of “cultural imperialism.” Although Canada is a bilingual country, the francophone population is constantly confronted by assimilation, which threatens the population’s language and culture (Gentz and Kramer 2006, p. 18).7 Critics of globalization suggest that the rise of globalization has resulted to homogenization of cultures where distinctiveness in values, attitudes, customs, and traditions of both individuals and groups is quickly being eroded. As a result of participation in various regional cultures, people are slowly being oriented into a single 5popular monoculture. The advancement in technology and the emergence of media such as the internet and associated social networks, as well as television, have led to fast spreading of popular culture (Handler 1988, p. 76).8 The universal access to cyberspace and globalization processes has had overt impact on the application, knowledge, and preservation of language and culture. The extended language contact propelled by globalization has generated feelings of cultural threat and defensive reactions among communities. One of the challenges of globalization revolves around the creation of an environment that enables people to participate fairly and equally. Attaining accommodation and integration of diverse cultures are complex 6endeavors, especially in an interconnected world. Effects of Globalization on Quebec Language and Culture. Globalization has a significant impact on the factors that aid in shaping identity. The identities may incorporate beliefs, ideas, values, morals, and ways of living. The effects of globalization on languages and cultures, as well as the factors that contribute to language endangerment are varied and complex, which complicates the ability to make an accurate prediction. As demonstrated, the ability to make a concise prediction on the future of Quebec culture and its identity maintenance struggles is both elusive and indefinable. The debate on the effects of globalization on the identity of certain communities is always rich with social, political and economic competitive pressures, disagreements, and the struggle to establish a dominant cultural status between the diverse speech communities (Larrivee 2003, p. 22).9 Technological Advancement has accelerated the rate of globalization, making the world smaller. Growth in technology has enhanced opportunities for access to information. Overtime, globalization has progressed in the arena of politics, economy, and society. Globalization poses a threat to multilingualism as people rely on dominant languages that are prominently used in the internet today. For instance, English has been dominant within international economic system and has been central in conducting international affairs. This places minority languages on the verge of disappearing (Schmid 2001, p. 48).10 Globalization may lead to extinction of some languages and culture, especially the most vulnerable. Endangerment of a language can harm a culture. A language is critical to a culture’s existence as language contributes to the formation of culture. Globalization harbors the risk of perpetuating uniformity, which is a threat to languages, especially when the emphasis dwells on acquiring the dominant international languages at the expense of regional or local languages. This is critical in areas such as education systems and media and public life. Despite its downsides, globalization has the prospective to revitalize7 language and culture within the society. Globalization and the rise of information technologies such as digitization, has fundamentally transformed means of creating, producing, and accessing of cultural oriented products. Globalization has the potential of bringing people together whereby similarities in values, language, and ideas may ease the promotion of identities. Globalization brings people from diverse cultural backgrounds together while highlighting their diversity. Globalization has contributed towards connecting institutions around the world, thus enhancing the revitalization, maintenance, and perpetuation of the said languages (Schmid 2001, p. 50).10 In addition, globalization has availed information and communication resources that can be employed in preserving the societal linguistic diversity. The mutual exchange of culture and values beyond borders has enhanced interests in regions with diverse and distinct languages and culture. This has eased access to new knowledge and experience. Furthermore, globalization has been critical in connecting communities whose language and cultures are threatened by enhancing their capability to raise awareness, enhance advocacy efforts, and share international best practices (Tierney 2007, p. 68).11 Possibility of Overcoming Challenges brought about by Globalization. It is possible to overcome challenges brought about by globalization on Quebec culture and language. This calls for finding effective ways of confronting the trend towards uniformity or homogeneity of cultures. Authorities should show commitment towards maintaining and fostering the preservation and development of cultural diversity. The case of Quebec demonstrates that local politics can have a significant bearing on resistance to the cultural influences of globalization (Schmid 2001, p. 52). 12 Recognizing cultural diversity and enhancing dialogue between cultures is a significant step towards overcoming challenges occasioned by globalization. This calls for the strengthening of usage and promotion of language, as well as preserving and highlighting cultural and linguistic diversity. Emphasis 8should be placed on shielding cultural diversity from the extensive homogenizing tidal wave of globalization. Addressing Challenges brought about by Globalization. The existence of two media systems (French and English), which are weakly linked to each other, obscures efforts to counter the growth of universal communication systems and the emergence of a worldwide culture. The French language media have been critical in promoting Quebec nationalism via focusing their attention inwards, while ignoring the socio-cultural and political growths in the rest of the country (Vaish 2010, p. 103).13 One of the strategies of overcoming the challenges brought about by weakening or threat to Quebec identity details creation and reinforcing of the official version of recognized Quebec culture and language; this should be done via 9activities such as government sponsorships and mass media. Quebec’s population inclusive of grassroots communities should also adopt innovative and diverse efforts geared towards maintenance of a lively identity. Quebeckers should make it their duty of protecting and preserving local customs, cultures and diversity. The pursuit of cultural diversity should be inspired by vibrant and spontaneous efforts geared towards rediscovering and reclaiming Quebec heritage. The preservation of Quebec identity should be multidimensional and tied with the province’s development strategy (Vaish 2010, p. 105).13 How to overcome Challenges of Globalization. Globalization denotes the increasing scale, growing magnitude, speeding up, and deepening influence of transcontinental flows and patterns of social interaction. In order to overcome the challenges heralded by globalization, there is a need to institute national language policies and approaches geared towards empowering populations in utilizing their languages. The key focus should be incorporating language to boost admission to education, economic opportunities, and political decision making processes. Quebec endeavor to protect and preserve its identity embodies creation and reinforcement of an official version of Quebec culture detailing conservation of traditional and local customs, cultures and diversity (Fletcher 1998, p. 365).14 Many governments around the world have imposed bans on what they perceive as cultural intrusions in a bid to shield vulnerable languages and cultures. The extreme sensitivity to cultural issues and subsequent intuitive reactions that people have regarding what they perceive as threats to traditional ways of life have left many governments on the defensive, especially in matters regarding globalization. The radically transformative platform of globalization has made it imperative for Quebec to make choices, exert consistent effort, and apply new leverage to its best advantage in matters relating to the preservation of language and culture, and advocating for forms of globalization that exhibits respect of cultures and diversity.10 Conclusion. The enhanced attention spotlighting Francophone in Canada, especially in the arena of influence of globalization on language and culture, has led to some critics perpetuating a stereotype that Quebec francophone are ethnocentric at best and xenophobic at worst. Nevertheless, there is every reason for Quebec francophone to feel a sense of cultural insecurity owing aspects such as immigration. Quebec’s case highlights concerns regarding the intricacy of balancing identity and openness to others. Despite the dilution of language and culture emanating from negative effects of globalization, there is no need to apply shock therapy in matters regarding the contest between globalization and language and identity. Quebec faces an uphill task in its bid to maintain an official version of its culture and language while confronted by globalization and diverse searches for local identities. There is no doubt that Quebec has been struggling to safeguard its national identity. However, as a society whose economic, social, and cultural flourishing hinges on its ability to reach out and interact with the rest of the world, the importance of globalization cannot be underestimated. Technological advances and globalization are likely to continue altering national and international cultural dynamics, adding more complexity to maintenance of effective cultural policies. Bibliography Austin, Peter and Sallabank Julia. The Cambridge Handbook of Endangered Languages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Di Sciulo, Vincent. “Globalization, ethnicity, and politics of identity: Quebec’s resistance to cultural homogenization.” McGill International Review 1 no.1 (2011): 27-34. Dick, Caroline. The Perils of Identity: Group Rights and the Politics of Intragroup Difference. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2011. Fletcher, Frederick. “Media and political identity: Canada and Quebec in the era of globalization.” Canadian Journal of Communication 23 no.3 (1998): 359-380. Gentz, Nataswcha and Kramer Stefan. Globalization, Cultural Identities, and Media Representations. New York: State University of New York Press, 2006. Handler, Richard. Nationalism and the Politics of Culture in Quebec. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press, 1988. Larrivee, Pierre. Linguistic Conflict and Language Laws: Understanding the Quebec Question. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003. Schmid, Carol. The Politics of Language: Conflict, Identity and Cultural Pluralism in Comparative Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. Tierney, Stephen. Accommodating Cultural Diversity. Hampshire: Ashgate, 2007. Vaish, Viniti. Globalization of Language and Culture in Asia: The Impact of Globalization Processes on Language. New York: Continuum, 2010. Read More