2nd assignment: Cultural globalization

 

1.

The article from John Tomlinson discusses the relationship between globalization and culture. It starts by saying that to understand it correctly we have to understand both of them separately.

 

He says that globalization is considered by many as a multidimensional process that touches economics, politics, and technological developments (especially medias and communications tools). Basically, globalization is the idea that our world is becoming more connected. This means things like money, products, people, knowledges, ideas, and even problems like pollution and diseases are moving around the world more easily. It is something that, in developed countries, is omnipresent in our routines as it influences what we eat, what see on the medias and also what we listen to. 

Globalization is also the reason why we have many worries in our daily life, like terrorism and climate change. We are more globally connected than ever before.

A lot of people believe that the global capitalist market is the most important part of this connection, but it's not the only factor. The economy is not just a machine, it is also influenced by people's desires and culture, so we cannot oversimplify it. Focusing on the economy aspect of globalization also oversimplifies our understanding of culture. Culture is not passive; everything is influenced by culture. So, it is not only the result of globalization but also a factor that drives it.   

 

Tomlinson also brings to light the fact that some people think that globalization might create a single global culture. This idea comes from how global connections, especially in the economy, make the world more interconnected. While not everything about globalization leads to a single culture, some parts make the world feel more unified. For example, countries have less control over their economies because they are part of a big global system, and problems like pollution can become global issues. 

This single global culture is also feared by many because they think that Western culture is spreading and taking over the others (things live movies, music, fast food etc..). 

He then mentioned that in the past, it was the case. Cultures often believed their way was the best. For example, old maps used to put Christian beliefs at the center. Even Karl Marx, with his idea of a global culture, mainly thought about Europe.

Now, globalization makes us think about being "world citizens," where no culture takes over. We must understand and respect different ways of life and not push one on everyone. It's a big challenge, but there's hope we can do it.

 

Then the notion of “deterritorialization” is brought to us. It means that culture is no longer confined to one location. It can be influenced by things happening far away. This change affects our everyday life, like when we look for international foods (Italian or Thai for example) or talk to friends from distant places using technology. This shift is a big part of how culture is changing because of globalization. And a major reason for this change is our growing use of electronic media and communication technology.

“Telemediatization” is another notion that is introduced, which is linked to deterritorialization. It is how we us the internet, the tv, the computer and other devices without actually going anywhere. It has made our lives faster and more immediate. This shift can make us more open to other cultures and aware of global responsibilities, affecting how we see the world and our cultural identity in a globalized world.

 

The last aspect that this article explore is the relationship between cosmopolitanism (which is a global human identity) and cultural identity.  There is a sort of dilemma between having universal values like human rights for example, and the need to protect cultural differences. 

 

2. 

It's fascinating to note that as seen in the text, in the past, cultures often considered their own beliefs and practices as superior (the Christian beliefs at the center of the world and Karl Marx’s examples).

While ethnocentrism, or favoring one's own culture, is not unexpected, it is interesting to see how it can be connected to the concept of a global culture and is something that can still be a concern today.

 

3. 

The text ends by saying we need adaptable cultural concepts in our rapidly changing world. It means that we should come up with new ideas and approaches to connect with people from different backgrounds. 

However, it does not offer specific examples or practical steps. While this omission is understandable due to the complexity of the topic, it would have been helpful to have some practical ideas in this regard.