cultural globalization U.4 L.1

  • cultural globalization : the rapid spread of ideas, attitudes and values across national borders

  • Marshall McLuhan : coined the term ‘global village’ in the 1960s, described how the ability to connect and exchange ideas instantaneously would effect the world

  • he foresaw the world as a single connected community

  • for many people cultural globalization is exciting

  • critics of it : some fear, countries fragmented, losing their values & traditions

  • growing number of immigrants will introduce new customs and international trade will increase, displacing local retailers (ex. zellers overthrown by walmart)

  • cultural homogenization : the blending of different cultural practices into one uniform cultural practice

  • americanization : the prevalant global influence of American products, businesses, practices and culture upon other countries in the world

  • popular culture : american film and tv industry dominates most of the worlds media markets, pop-culture promotes the sale of goods for export

  • music, tv, film and the internet allow the global spread of ideas, most of which are western

  • many people fear that americanization will ultimately result in the end of cultural diversity

  • in 2024 63% of european film market was american, 70% in 1994, 90% in 1995

  • Kim Campbell : images of america are so pervasive in this global village that it is almsot as if instead of the world immigrating to america, america has emigrated to the world, allowing people to aspire to be americans even in distant countries

  • mores : customs and manners of a social group or culture, often serve as a moral guideline for acceptable behaviour but are not necessartily religious or ethical

  • food is an intergal aspect of cultures, restaurants influence the mores of these cultures, influx of american restaurant that affects eating habits and traditions

  • example Italy : drinking coffe is part of lifestyle, cafes are relaxing, enter starbucks where you take-out coffee to drink in an office or at home

  • canada is described as similar to a cultural mosiac because it allows cultures to maintain their identities while mixing into larger society, the USA is a melting pot