What you'll need to know...
How global interactions bring cultural influences and changes to places
The global spectrum of cultural traits, ethnicities and identities, and ways in which the spectrum of diversity is widening or narrowing at different scales
The effects of global interactions on cultural diversity in different places:
• the diffusion of cultural traits, and cultural imperialism
• glocalization of branded commodities, and cultural hybridity
• cultural landscape changes in the built environment
How diasporas influence cultural diversity and identity at both global and local scales
• Case study of a global diaspora population and its cultures(s)
Synthesis, evaluation and skills opportunities
Differing evidence and perspectives on how diversity is changing at local, national and global scales
The global spectrum of cultural traits, ethnicities and identities, and ways in which the spectrum of diversity is widening or narrowing at different scales
The effects of global interactions on cultural diversity in different places:
• the diffusion of cultural traits, and cultural imperialism
• glocalization of branded commodities, and cultural hybridity
• cultural landscape changes in the built environment
How diasporas influence cultural diversity and identity at both global and local scales
• Case study of a global diaspora population and its cultures(s)
Synthesis, evaluation and skills opportunities
Differing evidence and perspectives on how diversity is changing at local, national and global scales
The Diffusion of Cultural Traits...
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Culture is our way of life. It includes our values, beliefs, customs, languages and traditions. Culture is reflected in our history, in our heritage and in how we express ideas and creativity. Our culture measures our quality of life, our vitality and the health of our society. Through our culture we develop a sense of belonging, personal and cognitive growth and the ability to empathize and relate to each other. Direct benefits of a strong and vibrant culture include health and wellness, self esteem, skills development, social capital and economic return. Culture is constantly shifting too and should be seen as dynamic and not fixed. (Source) Cultural diffusion is the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group of people to another. This involved the mixing of world cultures through different ethnicities, religions, and nationalities has only increased with: * advanced communication * transportation * technology. Starter: Write an introductory explanation to both culture and cultural diffusion using the text and videos above. |
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Is there such a thing as a developing 'Global Culture'?
As the planet becomes more and more connected, people and financial flows increase between places, it has been suggested that the spreading of cultural traits (westernization) and mixing of cultures (hybridity) may be leading to a new universal cultural practice. Read the article from Forbes below and highlight the main ways in which Balaji Viswanathan disagrees with a global culture being created.
Task 1 - The video wall beneath shows five key aspects of global culture and the associated impacts of cultural diffusion. Each person in the group should take one video and decide on the following:
* What the feature of culture is
* How culture is impacted by this feature
* How might traits be spread
* How might cultures be mixed
* Where are the places being connected
* The impacts
Feedback to your group in a micro presentation that should last no longer than 2 minutes.
Note: Given that this is a YouTube task, you are using a tool that is very much at the centre of this topic. Check out the number of views that your video has too, and if necessary, make reference to this under the relevant section above.
* What the feature of culture is
* How culture is impacted by this feature
* How might traits be spread
* How might cultures be mixed
* Where are the places being connected
* The impacts
Feedback to your group in a micro presentation that should last no longer than 2 minutes.
Note: Given that this is a YouTube task, you are using a tool that is very much at the centre of this topic. Check out the number of views that your video has too, and if necessary, make reference to this under the relevant section above.
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Cultural Imperialism...
Cultural imperialism: The practice of promoting the culture values or language of one nation in another.
In the past cultural imperialism has been associated with colonialism. When the U.K colonized large parts of the world they took with them their language (English), their sports (rugby and cricket), their forms of transport (railways), their dress (suits), their legal system, police system etc. and imposed it upon their colonies. Now cultural imperialism is more associated with economic forces, although former colonial powers often have some influence over many of their former colonies e.g. The Queen is still head of state for many Commonwealth countries including Australia, Jamaica, Canada, Belize and New Zealand.
The U.S currently has the World's largest economy and has been able to export its control and influence through the commodities of its TNCs e.g. Google, Ford, McDonald's, Walmart. America's cultural imperialism has sometimes be described as Westernization and/or Americanization. Cultural imperialism may also take place via global institutions like the IMF, WTO and World Bank (many of which are heavily influenced by the US and Western Europe).
Five common areas that are often studied to look at the impacts of cultural imperialism are:
i. Language: There are currently over 6,000 languages spoken around the World, but half my disappear by 2100. Although Mandarin is spoken by the most people, English is becoming the dominant international language.
ii. Tourism: Tourism is one of the World's largest industries and at the moment it is mainly citizens from developed countries (US, UK, Germany, Japan) that can afford to travel internationally and spread their culture (although they also experience new foreign cultures).
iii. Global Brands: Apple, Google, Coca-Cola, McDonald's are all brands recognised and used around the World.
iv. The Media: Disney, Time Warner, HBO, BBC , CNN, etc. all have enormous influence in terms of the television programmes made and aired as well as the music played and the news reported.
v. Democracy: The US as well as organisations like the World Bank and the UN have often promoted Democratic Capitalist systems instead of systems like Communism.
As well as controlling culture through the economy and media, it has also been suggested that some countries impose culture and ideas through their military and/or electronically. This maybe through occupation, many people claim that the US and its allies are trying to impose their ideals of Afghanistan and Iraq through occupation. China has also been accused of imposing its ideas through its military presence in Tibet and its state wide censorship of the media.
ADVANTAGES OF CULTURAL IMPERIALISM
- There may be a greater variety of commodities available
- It may mean new technologies are introduced
- Language skills may increase
- Economic development may take place as trade increases between two locations
DISADVANTAGES OF CULTURAL IMPERIALISM
- Places around the World become increasingly homogenized (the same)
- Local cultures are lost or diluted (language, dress, food, music, etc.)
- Local businesses maybe forced out of business they can't compete with large international TNCs
- Economic and political exploitation e.g. resources may be stripped, taxes not paid.
Additional information can be found here on this excellent BBC Podcast.
Task 1 - Write a clear definition of Cultural Imperialism under the title above and take notes on the five impacts as set out above as well as the key advantages and disadvantages.
Task 2 - Choose two of the case studies from the three below and take notes on how cultural imperialism is being played out. Then, answer this question:
With the use of examples, explain what is meant by the term cultural imperialism.
TOK - Imperialism or Misadventure?
You will have heard the recent story of John Allen Chau, a Chrisian Missionary who was killed by a remote tribe as he tried to make contact with them. The story can be seen as a video story here with the response from Survival International here.
You will have heard the recent story of John Allen Chau, a Chrisian Missionary who was killed by a remote tribe as he tried to make contact with them. The story can be seen as a video story here with the response from Survival International here.
Glocalization of branded commodities...
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Glocalization: The adaptation of a global product for a local market place. The word comes from an amalgamation of the words globalisation and localisation. Globalization: The spread of economic, cultural and social ideas across the world. Localization: The act of operating locally in terms of employees, product, supply of raw materials, etc. Complete the following tasks on the worksheet above Click here to be taken to the McDonalds world website. Here you can visit the regional sites of McDonalds around the world and watch their current publicity videos etc. Click on your home country and see if you can find any evidence of the product being glocalized to meet local tastes. Click on the website link for India and start exploring the menu options. Be mindful that a majority of India's population do not eat beef products. Click here to find out why. i. Comment on the types of food available and the level to which they have been glocalized. ii. Comment on children promotions and their socio-cultural impacts on the target audience. A summary of glocalization can be found here linked to McDonalds. |
Girl : Are we both girlfriend and boyfriend.
Boy: No. Girl: Why? Boy: Because girlfriends are too demanding, " I want this, I want that", doesn't suit well. Girl: But all i want is Mc Aloo Tikki Boy: is it? Girl: Yes Boy: Then its ok. |
McDonalds Fieldwork Opportunity.
We can visit our local McDonalds to see evidence of the French glocalization of the McDonald product range. Our nearest McDonalds is approximately 10 minutes from school on foot. The work pack below is what we will use to complete the study.
We can visit our local McDonalds to see evidence of the French glocalization of the McDonald product range. Our nearest McDonalds is approximately 10 minutes from school on foot. The work pack below is what we will use to complete the study.
