Challenge and Change in Society OUR GLOBAL VILLAGE

Challenge and Change in Society OUR GLOBAL VILLAGE

What is globalization? the coming together of regional, national, and continental organizations to integrate the entire world into one economic system

How does globalization affect culture? An economic force Selling products and services around the world Marketing goods = massive diffusion of American culture! CON: the erosion of local cultures and an adaption to Western culture

Examples of Globalization The World on a String activity! Popular music groups tour around the world Exports of American films and magazines Clothing of American name brands: Nike! Mc. Donalds is widely represented around the world – Let’s take a look!

Jaipur, India

Jerusalem, Israel

Tokyo, Japan

Seoul, South Korea

Mc. Donalds Around the World

Brainstorm! Dangers of American culture What are the results of this diffusion of American culture?

Dangers? It can force English onto non-English speaking peoples, reducing use of distinct languages Movies and television shows introduce sleazy values – consumerism, sex Deterioration of traditions, customs, rituals Loss of languages worries anthropologists who study cultures!

Changes in culture Deterritorialized - distinct cultures are no longer firmly attached but are in relative isolation to specific regions of the world cultures are now homogenized which means they have blended into one dominant culture, instead of heterogenized, multiple distinct cultures

Sphere of Influence Anthropologists have recognized that western industrial countries have been drawing developing countries into their sphere of influence thus creating transnational organizations Transnationalism- organizations either charitable or business, that operate freely in a number of other nations World Vision, Doctors Without Borders

Transnational Organizations 1. large manufacturing corporations Nike, Sony, Mattel 2. banks RBC, HSBC these corporations sell their financial services throughout the world 3. international government organizations United Nations, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund

Globalization has occurred via two processes 1. Through Western industrial capitalist countries (mainly the U. S. ) which has the most dominance over most of the nations around the globe. 2. Money is concentrated among a few individuals, usually the financial elites in the West

Positives Aspects Promotes economic activity, creates jobs Global competition is good for consumers Greater demands for democracy, freedoms and rights Economic investment improves social conditions Encourages people to change the labour market – ban child labour

Negatives Aspects Cultural threats (saturation of American culture) Corporations accused of unfair labour practices Mismanagement of natural resources Companies accused of using chemicals -pesticides, fertilizers