Global culture and culture in the UK

Global culture

A culture that is shared worldwide and is generally perceived to be based on western ideals and consumption.

Globalisation

Where cultural products, norms, values and ways of life are becoming increasingly similar in different countries, rather than each country having their own local and national culture. Theorists, such as Ritzer, Flew, Klein and Sklair, suggest that globalisation has led to a global culture.

e.g - media technologies, such as the internet and satellite TV, allows for instant communication and exploring cultures across the world.

e.g - marketing global brands, such as Apple, Coca-Cola and Nike put out global images that can influence the identities and daily lives of people, becoming cultural symbols for them.

e.g - tourism allows for people to take in the cultures of other countries and adapt them to fit their own consumer lifestyle.

Cultural homogenisation

The growing similarity of culture as a result of these processes.

e.g - the same TV shows, films, designer brands, music and clothes

McDonalidization

The rationalisation and standardisation of culture - with McDonald’s as a global consumption product.