All_socials_notes_gr_10-IB

Globalization and Identity: Key Concepts

What is Globalization?

• Closer relationships between countries.

• Instantaneous exchange of communication, information, goods, and services.

• Integration of economic, cultural, political, and social systems across geographical boundaries.

• Intensification of worldwide social relations through economic, technological, and political forces.

Dimensions of Globalization

Economic Globalization

• Process of integrating economic systems and expanding world trade networks to encourage international trade.

Political Globalization

• Influence of people’s lifestyles and culture via instant exchange of information and services through improved technology.

Social Globalization

• Spread or transmission of culture through:

  • Media

  • Language

  • Food

  • Religion

  • Clothing

  • Customs

Ecological Globalization

• Key areas include:

  • Climate change

  • Population growth

  • Environmental degradation

  • Pollution

  • Conservation of resources

  • Conservation of wildlife & plant life

Media

• Media: Any form of communication.

• Mass media: Used to reach large audiences.

Globalization and Language

• Language is critical to personal identity; recognized in Canada through the Official Languages Act (1969) making English and French official languages.

Impact of Globalization on Language

Concerns

• Viability of some languages affected by global media.

Quebec's Bill 101 (1977)

• Passed to protect French language and culture from English influence.

• Made French the sole official language in Quebec.

• Imposed regulations on signage, education, and business communication in French.

• Resulted in outrage among English Canadians, leading to migrations from the province.

• Ultimately, parts of the bill were deemed unconstitutional, allowing bilingual education.

Official Languages Act (1969)

• Established bilingual status of Canada.

• Included protection for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982).

Cultural Protectionism

• Government actions to promote diversity and preserve Canadian identity led to the creation of CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission).

• CRTC ensures Canadian content reflects:

  • Canadian creativity and talent

  • Bilingual duality

  • Cultural diversity

  • Aboriginal culture

  • Diverse Canadian social views

Media Transnationals: Pros and Cons

Advantages

• Established financial and human resources for new media creation.

• Broad audience reach.

• Ability to amplify diverse voices and cultures.

Disadvantages

• Excessive influence over global culture, limiting representation.

• Smaller media entities struggle against financial competition.

• Potential neglect of diverse expressions in favor of mainstream narratives.

Key Vocabulary

• Interdependence: Mutual reliance between two or more systems/nations.

• Global Village: Concept of global interconnectedness; reduced isolation.

• Homogenization: Loss of distinctive cultural features resulting in a blended culture.

• Hybridization: Cultural blending process.

• Digital Divide: Disparity in digital technology access.

Historical Perspectives on Globalization

Social Darwinism

• Misappropriation of Charles Darwin's theories, applied to cultural groups and nations to justify imperialism.

• Belief that stronger nations were naturally entitled to conquer weaker ones, leading to cultural domination.

White Man's Burden

• Concept from Rudyard Kipling's poem reflecting Eurocentric notions of duty to 'civilize' non-Western cultures.

First Settlements in Canada

• Early European exploration by John Cabot (1497) and Jacques Cartier (1535) led to claims over Indigenous lands.

• Initial cooperative relations turned to conflict over land usage.

Numbered Treaties and Indigenous Rights

• Treaties signed under duress and lacking understanding from Indigenous leaders, leading to ongoing controversy.

• Indian Act (1876) established discriminatory policies against Indigenous cultures, aiming for assimilation.

• Residential schools operated from the 1600s to 1996 aimed to eradicate Indigenous identities.

Economic Globalization

Post-WWI Economic Boom

• 1920s prosperity led to unregulated capitalist practices and subsequent stock market crash in 1929.

• Results: Great Depression triggered widespread unemployment and ideological shifts.

Bretton Woods Agreement (1944)

• Aimed at creating a stable trade system post-WWII with institutions like IMF and World Bank to aid rebuilding efforts.

World Bank

• Established to help nations recover post-WWII and now offers loans with conditions often requiring structural reforms.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• Provides short-term loans and economic monitoring to maintain global financial stability.

Structural Adjustment Programs

• Conditions attached to IMF loans that demand economic reforms often criticized for undermining national sovereignty and worsening local conditions.

Globalization's Social Consequences

Criticisms of Economic Policies

• Opponents argue that neoliberal policies exacerbate poverty, enable corruption, and disregard indigenous and local traditions.

Trade Agreements

• Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Canada and the U.S. (1989) later expanded to NAFTA (1994), eliminating tariffs and bolstering trade.

• Criticism of WTO for favoring developed nations, neglecting environmental and labor rights.

G7 Summit

• Annual meeting of major industrial democracies to discuss global economic policies.

Environmental Perspectives

• Environmentalism: Advocating for preservation and stewardship.

• Utilitarianism: Using resources for human benefit.

• Sustainability: Meeting current needs without compromising future generations.

Economic and Quality of Life Measurements

• GDP per capita: Economic productivity measure.

• Human Development Index (HDI): Measures quality of life including economic, health, and educational variables.