Cultural dimensions of globalization

Introduction

According to Manfred Steger cultural dimensions of globalization is divided into four main categories which involve: Political, cultural, ecological and economic which has got ideological aspects in each group (Steger). He argues that introduction of globalization with an inadequate examination of cultural dimension would just be woeful. This paper exemplifies a discussion of a cultural aspect of globalization by answering different questions. Therefore, the author will discuss issues like: What is culture? , Is there global culture? , What are some of the defining features of global culture?

    What is culture? Is there a global culture? What are some of the defining characteristics of the Global Culture?

Culture refers to like the ideas, social behaviors and customs of a given people or a community in a given country or society. Culture helps human beings to manifest their intellectual achievements collectively within the organization. No. Apparently, there is no global culture since the world is made of different people who are of different social status, ancestry and use different languages (Bhandari). The Asians, for example, have strict culture and custom with a unique way of worship up to date. However, with the increasing rate of transition, Africans are emulating westernization and so do Asians, and shortly, there might be global culture. The main characteristics of global culture involve; interdependence among the nation on economic, political and social aspect. There should be sharing of languages and usage of similar technology to solve problems throughout the world.

Does globalization of culture mean westernization of the global culture? Why or why not? Discuss by critically reflecting upon the homogeneity and differences within global culture.

             Globalization of culture does not mean westernization of global culture but rather bringing together all the nations together and share a common social, political and economic aspect. There is homogeneity in sharing some culture through the emergency of advanced technology whereby mostly copying westernization has been on the increase. There is also unity brought about by the formation of globalization unions with the intention of improving economically. This has brought about the coherent togetherness and sharing of ideas leading to sharing of culture and different skills.

However, there are some differences in global culture in that in some country across the worldwide, there is conservativeness in holding onto ancestry culture, and some are not ready to change (Daun). This involves different aspect such as religion, politics, social status, among others. English is an international language which is used during an international occasion such as global summit among others. However, in countries like Tanzania, students learn through Kiswahili which is not a foreign language (Altbach, P., and Davis). People within the world want their language to dominate others, and the use of English is taken as colonization. This makes the global culture to grow slowly, and transition to global culture is taking longer due to rigidity.

Discuss the relationship between the media industry and the globalization of culture. Make sure to include in your discussion the distinction between the role of “dominant” and “contra” or “subaltern” media flows.

Globalization of culture is intimately connected with the sharing of information through the media. The media, in this case, is regarded as the main vehicle due to the rapid expansion and effectiveness in the deliverance of information through the press (Marginson). The media is dominant in globalization activities and has been the channel used to relay the trending issues. Subaltern plays the role designating the population which is social, geographically and politically outside the hegemonic power of the structure in the globalization of culture.

Is globalization of culture contributing to increasing linguistic homogeneity and extinction of smaller languages? Why and how? Discuss.

Yes, globalization of culture is contributing to linguistic homogeneity in that most of population in the world is emulating westernization and using English as the language of communication in schools. In most countries, English is made a national language and children are growing to learn through this language and are not able to communicate in their mother tongue (Andersen). This is contributing to the extinction of smaller languages within the society and embracing international language as means of communication locally.

What are some of the tensions and conflicts that are being produced as a result of globalization?

Globalization has resulted in political unrests associated with people around the world fighting for power. There is consistency fight on what culture and ideas to be implemented and what nation to be included in a certain programe. Some nations exclude themselves from other nations forming different economic unions. For example, G20 is a group of twenty countries which have established an international forum to bring together the world’s twenty into an industrialized and economic emerging issue.

The group aims at contributing for about 85%v of the total GDP in the whole world. Most of the business activities usually occur during inauguration meetings among other sidelines.    It leads to social inequality in the world in that not every nation is a member of the G20.Development is most likely to occur only in these developed countries leaving other nations out. Eventually, the whole world will not benefit from the G20 leading to inequality in growth and development leading to tension in some of the left out nations (Mustafa). For example, launching of better means of transport in participants nations only leaving other non-members behind which is not healthy for the whole world.

6. What are some of the positive aspects of the cultural globalization? Discuss concerning the idea of cosmopolitan culture.

                Culture globalization has led to improvement in technological advancement in that during summit session, exchange of information is conducted leading to more enlightenment (Altbach  and Davis). This has led to the discovery of advanced means of communication, transport, education among others. Cultural globalization relationship has contributed to peace among these countries and offering financial reinforcement during the economic crisis. Thus this international forum has got positive impacts among these nations which are why the group should stay. For example, the United States donated funds and food to Saudi Arabia and Turkey in 2008 when many countries were faced with a financial crisis. During summit attendance, participants learn a lot from the meetings and implementation of the same in their host countries boost economic growth and development. Participants have got chances to learn and acquire new skills. There is also rising of problems faced in each of the member countries during such summit session whereby the presidents are advice on mitigations to use to reduce such problems.

Part II

According to Manfred Steger, market globalism is an ideology which involves neoliberals and integration of economic resources through reconciling and taking advantage of commercials and operational differences and similarities so that to achieve the global objectives (Steger). The market globalism promises a neoliberal and a free market world which would help in the transmission of democracy and benefit everyone. This is whereby the whole world would be able to transact freely without the use of restrictions among nations. It would thus mean the eradication of tariffs and quotas during international trade to enhance globalization. However, this cannot be easy practically. This is due to retaliations among nations especially when some countries have got an absolute advantage over some commodities compared to others. This ideology motivates inequality among the nations across the global leading to political unrests and conflicts. Market globalism assumes many factors such as the breakdown of machines which would inhibit market activities leading to failures in an interruption in marketing processes. The theory also assumes that all the nations would agree with the policies leading to efficiency in performance which is not true in reality as some countries would feel being made worse off leading to disagreements.

Justice globalism is an ideology which deals with envisaging of a global civil society which has got fairer relationships with the secure environment for peoples’ safeguard. Manfred Steger argues that implementation of this aspect could lead to safer and feel confident when traveling in any part of the nation which would promote cultural globalization. It would also eliminate discrimination in working sectors among other areas due to race and cultural differences. This is believed to embrace different culture leading to integration and sharing of ideas which can enhance growth and development. This ideology is also encouraging to emulate and has got lesser negativity compared to market globalism. Thus, justice globalism is pursuable as it has got realism which can quickly be followed.

Work Cited

Altbach, P. and Davis. “Global Challenge And National Response: Notes For An International Dialogue On Higher Education: University News, v. 36 (45), pp.1 – 6.” (2013).

Andersen, T. and Herbertsson, T. Measuring Globalization,Institute of Economic Studies Working Paper Series. (Reykjavid: University of Iceland), 2013.

Bhandari, A. and Heshmati, A. (. “Measurement of Globalization and Its Variations among Countries, Regions and Over Time, IZA.” (2017): Discussion Papers no. 1578 (Bonn: IZA).

Daun, Holder. “Educational Restructuring in the Context of Globalization and National Policy. New York and London: Routledge Falmer.” (2015).

Marginson, S and M. van der Wende. “Currency swap and globalization, No. 8, 2007, OECD Publishing.” (2016).

Mustafa, Janil. What is G20 and how does it work. 2017. <www.telegraph.co.uk/business/0/what-is-the-g20-and-how-oes-it-work>.

Steger, Manfred. Globalization: A very Short Introduction(Very Short Introductions). New York: Oxyford University Press, 2017.