Challenge and Change in Society

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!

McDonalds is widely represented around the world – Let’s take a look!

Jaipur, India

Jerusalem, Israel

Tokyo, Japan

Seoul, South Korea

McDonalds 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 processes1. 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