Cultural Dimensions Cultural Dimensions of Globalizationof Globalization
Vincent Melomo, Ph.D.Vincent Melomo, Ph.D.Director of the Adventures ProgramDirector of the Adventures ProgramAssistant Professor of AnthropologyAssistant Professor of Anthropology
Who Am I?Who Am I?Cultural AnthropologistCultural Anthropologist
Director of the Adventures ProgramDirector of the Adventures Program
Researcher of South Asian AmericaResearcher of South Asian America
I am someone deeply committed to I am someone deeply committed to educating students about the world, educating students about the world, and recognize the challenges that are and recognize the challenges that are involved.involved.
Defining Our Terms: Defining Our Terms: What is Culture?What is Culture?
The way of life of a people.The way of life of a people.
The learned behaviors, beliefs and The learned behaviors, beliefs and attitudes that are characteristic of a attitudes that are characteristic of a particular society or population.particular society or population.
A complex, integrated system of A complex, integrated system of interconnected parts including aspects interconnected parts including aspects that are social, political and economic, that are social, political and economic, and are tied to such dimensions as and are tied to such dimensions as religion, art, gender, environment, etc. religion, art, gender, environment, etc.
Defining Our Terms: Defining Our Terms: What is Globalization?What is Globalization?
The intensification of global The intensification of global interconnectedness.interconnectedness.
A process that promotes economic, A process that promotes economic, political, and other cultural connections political, and other cultural connections among people living all over the world.among people living all over the world.
The world condition created by relatively The world condition created by relatively recent developments in information, recent developments in information, communication and transportation communication and transportation technologies.technologies.
Is Globalization Really New?Is Globalization Really New?Precursors to Globalization:Precursors to Globalization:
•• Human groups have always moved Human groups have always moved around carrying their culture, around carrying their culture, exchanging goods, stories, and ideas.exchanging goods, stories, and ideas.
•• European Exploration and Colonialism European Exploration and Colonialism 15001500--1950 ?1950 ?
•• Spread of Industrial CapitalismSpread of Industrial Capitalism18501850--1917 ?1917 ?
Lessons from Early Forms Lessons from Early Forms of Globalizationof Globalization
Global culture change is always complex Global culture change is always complex and multidimensional.and multidimensional.
Global culture change brings benefits and Global culture change brings benefits and burdens.burdens.
The benefits and burdens of global culture The benefits and burdens of global culture change are not distributed evenly.change are not distributed evenly.
Globalization of the past shapes Globalization of the past shapes globalization of the present.globalization of the present.
Globalization TodayGlobalization Today
Globalization today is characterized by Globalization today is characterized by a dramatic increase in and acceleration a dramatic increase in and acceleration of earlier kinds of connections.of earlier kinds of connections.
Globalization is characterized byGlobalization is characterized by……•• ““timetime--space compressionspace compression”” (Harvey 1989)(Harvey 1989)
•• ““deterritorializationdeterritorialization”” (Gupta and Ferguson 1997)(Gupta and Ferguson 1997)
•• ““flattening the worldflattening the world”” (Friedman 2005)(Friedman 2005)
Globalization TodayGlobalization TodayAppaduraiAppadurai’’ss (1996) Global (1996) Global ScapesScapes•• EthnoscapesEthnoscapes –– flows of peopleflows of people•• TechnoscapesTechnoscapes –– flows of technologyflows of technology•• MediascapesMediascapes –– flows of info and imagesflows of info and images•• FinancescapesFinancescapes –– flows of capitalflows of capital•• IdeoscapesIdeoscapes –– flows of ideologies flows of ideologies
Important to realize that these flows are Important to realize that these flows are overlapping and are not unidirectional.overlapping and are not unidirectional.
Some Cultural Consequences Some Cultural Consequences of Globalizationof Globalization
The local context is shaped more by The local context is shaped more by global issues. global issues.
Experience Experience ““herehere”” is tied more to is tied more to events events ““therethere””..
People and culture are less tied to People and culture are less tied to specific places.specific places.
Culture, identity, and tradition are Culture, identity, and tradition are disrupted and reworked. disrupted and reworked.
Some Cultural Consequences Some Cultural Consequences of Globalizationof Globalization
As a result of these global flows, new As a result of these global flows, new ways of living and new forms of ways of living and new forms of culture are created:culture are created:
•• transnational lives and culturestransnational lives and cultures
•• cosmopolitan outlookscosmopolitan outlooks
•• hybrid cultural formshybrid cultural forms
Are These Global Flows Are These Global Flows Good or Bad?Good or Bad?
It depends!It depends!•• on who you areon who you are•• on where you areon where you are•• on how you look at iton how you look at it
Generally, Generally, •• Who benefits?Who benefits?
The haves of the worldThe haves of the world
•• Who suffers?Who suffers?The haveThe have--nots of the worldnots of the world
The Good and the Bad The Good and the Bad of Global Flowsof Global Flows
Money comes easily, money goes easily.Money comes easily, money goes easily.
Jobs are created more easily, jobs are relocated more Jobs are created more easily, jobs are relocated more easily.easily.
You can spread information easily, you cannot control You can spread information easily, you cannot control information easily.information easily.
Corporate networks more easily established, illicit and Corporate networks more easily established, illicit and terrorist networks more easily established.terrorist networks more easily established.
Computers and programmers move more easily, Computers and programmers move more easily, weapons and sex traffickers move more easily.weapons and sex traffickers move more easily.
New medical technologies spread more easily, diseases New medical technologies spread more easily, diseases spread more easily.spread more easily.
Etc.Etc.
The Central Cultural The Central Cultural Dynamic of GlobalizationDynamic of Globalization
Increasing Homogeneity: Increasing Homogeneity: •• the world is becoming smaller, and we are all the world is becoming smaller, and we are all
becoming more alike.becoming more alike.““GlobalismGlobalism””FriedmanFriedman’’s, s, ““The World is FlatThe World is Flat””BarberBarber’’s, s, ““McWorldMcWorld””
Increasing Heterogeneity: Increasing Heterogeneity: •• The world is fragmenting, and we are The world is fragmenting, and we are
emphasizing our difference more.emphasizing our difference more.““TribalismTribalism””BarberBarber’’s, s, ““JihadJihad””HuntingtonHuntington’’s, s, ““Clash of CivilizationsClash of Civilizations””
What is What is ““Global CultureGlobal Culture””??Is global culture simplyIs global culture simply……
•• American cultural imperialism?American cultural imperialism?
•• the spread of American consumer the spread of American consumer culture?culture?
•• the the McDonaldizationMcDonaldization of the World?of the World?
•• YES, AND NOYES, AND NO
Global McDonaldsGlobal McDonalds
McDonald's franchises and operates more McDonald's franchises and operates more than 32,000 fastthan 32,000 fast--food restaurants in over food restaurants in over 100 countries.100 countries.•• Europe ... $7,072 (35% of total company Europe ... $7,072 (35% of total company
revenues)revenues)
•• United States ... $6,955 (34%)United States ... $6,955 (34%)
•• Australia/AsiaAustralia/Asia--Pacific ... $2,815 (14%) Pacific ... $2,815 (14%)
•• Latin America ... $1,327 (6%) Latin America ... $1,327 (6%)
•• Canada ... $948 (5%) Canada ... $948 (5%)
•• Other ... $1,343 (6%) Other ... $1,343 (6%) http://internationaltrade.suite101.com/article.cfm/mcdohttp://internationaltrade.suite101.com/article.cfm/mcdonalds_global_salesnalds_global_sales
McDonaldMcDonald’’s s ““CultureCulture””McDonaldizationMcDonaldization refers to "the principles of the fastrefers to "the principles of the fast--food restaurant coming to dominate more and more food restaurant coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as of the rest of sectors of American society as well as of the rest of the world.the world.”” ((RitzerRitzer, , The The McDonaldizationMcDonaldization of Societyof Society, 1993), 1993)
McDonaldMcDonald’’s Emphasizes s Emphasizes •• EfficiencyEfficiency
•• CalculabilityCalculability
•• PredictabilityPredictability
•• ControlControl
McDonaldMcDonald’’s and Culture In Chinas and Culture In China•• Promoting young, independent consumersPromoting young, independent consumers
•• Promoting birthday celebrationsPromoting birthday celebrations
Global WalGlobal Wal--MartMartWalWal--Mart has stores in North and South Mart has stores in North and South America, Asia and Europe.America, Asia and Europe.
WalWal--Mart will open more stores internationally Mart will open more stores internationally than domestically in fiscal 2008. than domestically in fiscal 2008.
WalWal--Mart in Mexico: Mart in Mexico:
•• Over 400 Over 400 WalmartWalmart stores are located in Mexico.stores are located in Mexico.
•• Resistance to Resistance to WalmartWalmartViewed by some as threat to Mexican cultureViewed by some as threat to Mexican culture
•• Undermining Mexican food production and sale.Undermining Mexican food production and sale.•• Controversy over location of store in Teotihuacan.Controversy over location of store in Teotihuacan.
Global HollywoodGlobal Hollywood
The U.S. entertainment industry generates more revenue from overseas sales than any other industry other than the commercial aerospace industry.
From the late 80s to late 90s, the U.S. share of the European film market rose from 56 percent to over 90 percent.
Global HollywoodGlobal Hollywood"Washington's crusade for free trade is often seen abroad as a Trojan horse for companies, such as Walt Disney Co. and Cable News Network that would dominate foreign lifestyles and values. Most Americans react to these fears with a shrug. That's a big mistake."• Jeffrey Garten, former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for
International Trade (Business Week , November 30, 1998)• http://www.globalization101.org
““TGI FridaysTGI Fridays”” in Delhiin Delhi““During the nightly happy hour, South During the nightly happy hour, South Delhi's T.G.I. Friday's is the place to see Delhi's T.G.I. Friday's is the place to see the city's new generation of yuppies. the city's new generation of yuppies. The air is thick with the aroma not of The air is thick with the aroma not of turmeric and cardamom but of fried turmeric and cardamom but of fried cheese and potato skins, and there's not cheese and potato skins, and there's not a sari in sighta sari in sight……
““TGI FridaysTGI Fridays”” in Delhiin Delhi“…“…The place is packed to overflowing with The place is packed to overflowing with young young DelhiitesDelhiites at play at play ---- decked out decked out smartly in trendy casual wear, quaffing smartly in trendy casual wear, quaffing twotwo--forfor--one drafts, chattering into cell one drafts, chattering into cell phones. This is not the India of postcards phones. This is not the India of postcards but rather modern India as it actually is.but rather modern India as it actually is.””•• Misguided Guidebooks? Misguided Guidebooks? ““AuthenticAuthentic”” travel guides may travel guides may
be masking global realitybe masking global reality——By Chris Turner, Outpost, By Chris Turner, Outpost, May / June 2004 IssueMay / June 2004 Issue
•• http://www.utne.com/issues/2004_123/features/11193http://www.utne.com/issues/2004_123/features/11193--
1.html1.html
Is Global Culture Is Global Culture American Culture?American Culture?
Yes!Yes!
American corporate consumer culture American corporate consumer culture clearly shapes global culture, raising clearly shapes global culture, raising consumer aspirations and providing models consumer aspirations and providing models for living for people all over the world.for living for people all over the world.
Exporting not just a product or a franchise, Exporting not just a product or a franchise, but a culture, a worldview, a way of life.but a culture, a worldview, a way of life.
Is Global Culture Is Global Culture American Culture?American Culture?
No!No!Globalization is also the spread of Globalization is also the spread of culture from all over the world.culture from all over the world.
•• TiendasTiendas in Siler Cityin Siler City
•• LenovoLenovo in RTPin RTP
•• BollywoodBollywood in Caryin Cary
•• Sushi in RaleighSushi in Raleigh
•• World Music in DurhamWorld Music in Durham
•• Al Al JazeeraJazeera in Greensboroin Greensboro
How Does Globalization How Does Globalization Increase Heterogeneity?Increase Heterogeneity?
Globalization can also be seen as Globalization can also be seen as contributing to cultural diversity/ contributing to cultural diversity/ heterogeneity.heterogeneity.
•• Encouraging fragmentation and difference.Encouraging fragmentation and difference.
•• Spreading, mixing, and creating culture in Spreading, mixing, and creating culture in new ways.new ways.
hybridized and creolized culture.hybridized and creolized culture.
glocalizationglocalization and interpretive flexibilityand interpretive flexibility•• global cultural forms get transformed and translated into global cultural forms get transformed and translated into
existing local cultural contexts.existing local cultural contexts.
How Does Globalization How Does Globalization Increase Heterogeneity?Increase Heterogeneity?
Some examples of heterogeneity with Some examples of heterogeneity with globalization:globalization:
•• TransnationalsTransnationals –– While migration has historically While migration has historically meant the loss of culture, using technologies of meant the loss of culture, using technologies of globalization, recent immigrants are able to globalization, recent immigrants are able to maintain close social, cultural and economic ties maintain close social, cultural and economic ties with their countries/places of origin.with their countries/places of origin.
•• Indigenous Groups Indigenous Groups –– While most indigenous While most indigenous peoples have suffered terribly for centuries due peoples have suffered terribly for centuries due to different forms of globalization, some groups to different forms of globalization, some groups have used technologies of globalization to help have used technologies of globalization to help maintain their maintain their ““traditionaltraditional”” culture.culture.
Technologies allow immigrants to Technologies allow immigrants to maintain global connectionsmaintain global connections……•• Visits to Visits to ““homehome””
•• Phone calls Phone calls ““homehome””
•• Internet web sitesInternet web sites
India AbroadIndia Abroad
•• Movies and musicMovies and music
BollywoodBollywood WorldWorld
Maintaining Culture and Identity in Maintaining Culture and Identity in the Context of Globalizationthe Context of Globalization
The Global Cultures of The Global Cultures of Immigrant ChildrenImmigrant Children
Increasingly, immigrant children are Increasingly, immigrant children are growing up in two, related global growing up in two, related global youth culturesyouth cultures
““IndianIndian”” WorldWorld•• A world of A world of BollywoodBollywood, , BhangraBhangra, and , and DesiDesi
ChicChicDesiParty.comDesiParty.com and and MTV MTV Desi.comDesi.com
““AmericanAmerican”” WorldWorld•• A world of Hollywood, Hip Hop, and LA A world of Hollywood, Hip Hop, and LA
CoolCool
And sometimes these worlds And sometimes these worlds intersectintersect……•• Hybrid Cultural FormsHybrid Cultural Forms
Maintaining Culture and Identity in Maintaining Culture and Identity in the Context of Globalizationthe Context of Globalization
The The KayapoKayapo of Brazilof Brazil•• Used jet airplanes, video cameras, the global Used jet airplanes, video cameras, the global
media to protest the construction of a dam that media to protest the construction of a dam that would flood some of their territory.would flood some of their territory.
Mayan Zapatistas of Chiapas MexicoMayan Zapatistas of Chiapas Mexico•• Used fax machines and the internet to promote Used fax machines and the internet to promote
their political agenda and spread awareness of their political agenda and spread awareness of their plight.their plight.
Mayan Coffee GrowersMayan Coffee Growers•• Using the internet to distribute organically grown Using the internet to distribute organically grown
coffee worldwide.coffee worldwide.
KayapoKayapo MediaMedia““Our children and grandchildren will Our children and grandchildren will be able to look at these images. be able to look at these images. Even the white people will watch the Even the white people will watch the images of our culture, and that is images of our culture, and that is how we will remain how we will remain KayapoKayapo..””•• MegaronMegaron, , LLííderder MetuktireMetuktire--KayapoKayapo•• http://www.comminit.com/strategicthinking/pdsmakingwaves/http://www.comminit.com/strategicthinking/pdsmakingwaves/
sldsld--1865.html1865.html
Some Global RealitiesSome Global RealitiesGross differences in wealth and health Gross differences in wealth and health exist between and within countriesexist between and within countries
Over 1 billion people lack safe waterOver 1 billion people lack safe water
Nearly 3 billion people live on less Nearly 3 billion people live on less than $2 a daythan $2 a day
25 million people in Sub25 million people in Sub--Saharan Saharan Africa are living with HIV/AIDSAfrica are living with HIV/AIDS
Decreasing biodiversityDecreasing biodiversity
Increasing global warmingIncreasing global warming
Resistance to GlobalizationResistance to Globalization……Friends of the Earth, Rainforest Action Network, Friends of the Earth, Rainforest Action Network, Earth Island Institute, International Forum on Earth Island Institute, International Forum on Globalization, Public Citizen, Sierra Club, Globalization, Public Citizen, Sierra Club, Greenpeace U.S., 50 Years is Enough: U.S. Greenpeace U.S., 50 Years is Enough: U.S. Network for Global Economic justice, Institute for Network for Global Economic justice, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Food First: Institute Agriculture and Trade Policy, Food First: Institute for Food and Development Policy, Institute for for Food and Development Policy, Institute for Local SelfLocal Self--Reliance, Institute for Policy StudiesReliance, Institute for Policy Studies--Global Economy Project, International Center for Global Economy Project, International Center for Technology Assessment, People Centered Technology Assessment, People Centered Development Forum, Global Exchange, The Council Development Forum, Global Exchange, The Council of Canadians, Project Underground, Polaris of Canadians, Project Underground, Polaris Institute, Research Foundation for Science, Institute, Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology.Technology and Ecology.•• http://www.globaled.org/issues/158/c.htmlhttp://www.globaled.org/issues/158/c.html
Global InsecuritiesGlobal InsecuritiesFinancial InsecurityFinancial InsecurityJob and Income InsecurityJob and Income InsecurityHealth InsecurityHealth InsecurityCultural InsecurityCultural InsecurityPersonal InsecurityPersonal InsecurityEnvironmental InsecurityEnvironmental InsecurityPolitical and Community InsecurityPolitical and Community Insecurity•• The United Nations Development Project issued its 1999 The United Nations Development Project issued its 1999
report 'Human Development in this Age of Globalization. "report 'Human Development in this Age of Globalization. "•• http://www.globaled.org/issues/158/e.htmlhttp://www.globaled.org/issues/158/e.html
Globalization Needs to Respect Globalization Needs to Respect People and CulturePeople and Culture
““I do not want my house to be walled I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any." blown off my feet by any." •• Mahatma Gandhi in Mahatma Gandhi in The United Nations The United Nations
Development Project report, 1999, Development Project report, 1999, ““Human Human Development in this Age of Globalization. "Development in this Age of Globalization. "
•• http://www.globaled.org/issues/158/e.htmlhttp://www.globaled.org/issues/158/e.html
Globalization Needs to Respect Globalization Needs to Respect People and CulturePeople and Culture
““The challenge of globalization in the new The challenge of globalization in the new century is not to stop the expansion of century is not to stop the expansion of global markets. The challenge is to find the global markets. The challenge is to find the rules and institutions for stronger rules and institutions for stronger governancegovernance--local, national, regional and local, national, regional and globalglobal--to preserve the advantages of global to preserve the advantages of global markets and competition, but also to markets and competition, but also to provide enough space for human, provide enough space for human, community and environmental resources to community and environmental resources to ensure that globalization works for people ensure that globalization works for people not just for profitsnot just for profits……..””•• The United Nations Development Project report, 1999, 'Human The United Nations Development Project report, 1999, 'Human
Development in this Age of Globalization. "Development in this Age of Globalization. "•• http://www.globaled.org/issues/158/e.htmlhttp://www.globaled.org/issues/158/e.html
Globalization Needs to Respect Globalization Needs to Respect People and CulturePeople and Culture
Globalization with: Globalization with: •• Ethics Ethics -- less violation of human rights.less violation of human rights.•• Equity Equity -- less disparity within and between nations.less disparity within and between nations.•• Inclusion Inclusion -- less marginalization of people and less marginalization of people and
countries.countries.•• Human securityHuman security-- less instability of societies and less instability of societies and
less vulnerability of people.less vulnerability of people.•• Sustainability Sustainability -- less environmental destruction. less environmental destruction. •• Development Development -- less poverty and deprivation. less poverty and deprivation.
The United Nations Development Project report, 1999, 'Human The United Nations Development Project report, 1999, 'Human Development in this Age of Globalization. "Development in this Age of Globalization. "http://www.globaled.org/issues/158/e.htmlhttp://www.globaled.org/issues/158/e.html
What Is Our Job?What Is Our Job?
EducateEducate
•• Overcome IgnoranceOvercome Ignorance
AndAnd, , EngageEngage
•• Overcome ApathyOvercome Apathy
Teach RelevanceTeach RelevanceWhy do I need to know this?Why do I need to know this?
Because of all the connections that we have Because of all the connections that we have discussed that are part of our global worlddiscussed that are part of our global world……
•• Your countryYour country’’s companies, politics, media, and s companies, politics, media, and military are military are globalizedglobalized..
•• You may be traveling to or living in another You may be traveling to or living in another country someday.country someday.
•• You may be working with/for someone from You may be working with/for someone from another country someday.another country someday.
•• You may be the friend, neighbor, or spouse of You may be the friend, neighbor, or spouse of someone from another country someday.someone from another country someday.
•• Your life will be a lot more interesting!Your life will be a lot more interesting!
Teach That ItTeach That It’’s Not All About U.S.s Not All About U.S.
Understand that the world, itUnderstand that the world, it’’s people, s people, culture, politics, landscape, etc. is not culture, politics, landscape, etc. is not only significant because of its only significant because of its potential role in a potential role in a ““War on Terror.War on Terror.””
Understand that the world, itUnderstand that the world, it’’s people, s people, culture, politics, landscape, etc. is not culture, politics, landscape, etc. is not only important because of the only important because of the markets and opportunities for capital markets and opportunities for capital investment that it provides. investment that it provides.
Some LessonsSome Lessons
Recognize the complexity of our Recognize the complexity of our current current globalizedglobalized worldworld
DonDon’’t glamorize the t glamorize the globalizedglobalized
Look for the global in the localLook for the global in the local
Encourage and embrace change Encourage and embrace change and diversity!and diversity!
Why Is this World View Why Is this World View Conference So Important?Conference So Important?
““Teachers cannot teach what they do not Teachers cannot teach what they do not know. Most teachers are not being trained know. Most teachers are not being trained in world affairs, history and cultures. For in world affairs, history and cultures. For example, of the top 50 U.S. colleges and example, of the top 50 U.S. colleges and universities that train teachers, only a universities that train teachers, only a handful require any coursework in nonhandful require any coursework in non--Western history for their students Western history for their students preparing to teach history.preparing to teach history.””•• Asia in the Schools: Preparing Young Americans for Today's Asia in the Schools: Preparing Young Americans for Today's
Interconnected WorldInterconnected World, (New York: Asia Society, 2001), (New York: Asia Society, 2001)•• (http://(http://internationaled.org/issues.htminternationaled.org/issues.htm) )
The Good NewsThe Good News……We Can Make a DifferenceWe Can Make a Difference““Studying other countries and cultures will Studying other countries and cultures will
help empower our young people to succeed in the help empower our young people to succeed in the marketplace. It will also help them contribute to marketplace. It will also help them contribute to the marketplace of ideas at a time when absolutist the marketplace of ideas at a time when absolutist ideologies seek to destroy the very notion of ideologies seek to destroy the very notion of competing ideas. competing ideas.
““In an interconnected world, understanding In an interconnected world, understanding other nations and regions is a cornerstone of other nations and regions is a cornerstone of democratic citizenship. This aspect of education democratic citizenship. This aspect of education deserves our swift and lasting attention.deserves our swift and lasting attention.””
•• Preparing Our Students for Work and Citizenship in the Preparing Our Students for Work and Citizenship in the Global Age, Global Age, By John M. By John M. EnglerEngler and James B. Hunt, Jr. and James B. Hunt, Jr. (http://(http://internationaled.org/PDKhuntengler.htminternationaled.org/PDKhuntengler.htm))
Thank you for Thank you for your time and attention!your time and attention!
If you have any questions, please If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at feel free to contact me at
[email protected]@peace.edu
