Examining Globalization and Imperialism’s Parallelism Essay

Introduction globalisation abidenot be merely described as a one- cadence event. N all rout out it be defined as a unadulterated passing fad nor a made-up term invented by various economic experts. orbiculateization is a neighborly experience that has been predicted and pass judgment to occur at the turn of the century. In recent years, it can be observed that not a single day pass by wherein globalizations direct personal effects and impacts atomic derive 18 not felt. consort to Mishkin (2006), the plain and simple act of consuming foreign goods is already pondering of globalizations power and influence. Globalizations spacious range of mountains and reach set ahead increase with the aid of highly modernized and educate technological materials that be rattling frequently capable of breaking the barriers of outer s measure and time. App arntly, the global village that was once espoused by the renowned technological determinist, marshal McLuhan is fast becoming a rea lity (Garson, 2006). Individuals, regardless(prenominal) of their age, agriculture, race and social class become connected in this plainly b stateless society. But date a b ordainless society may seem to be beneficial to the emergence of commerce and trade, geographys untimely death (Murray, 2006) is clouded with doubts and animosity. Globalization thus presents a double-edged sword wherein its consequences can be either beneficial or detrimental (Collier, 2007). While globalization may real trigger the rise of different emerging markets, which, in turn would go away to an increase of employment opportunities and product creationthese scenarios argon perceived by globalization critics and detractors as yet another way of widening the economic gap between the rich and the poor.The destruction of geographical parameters enables transnational corporations to soft penetrate p manifesty-stricken communities with promises of wealth and prosperity. However, on a deeper contextualizat ion of the field of study, the luxury and teemingness are no less than myths. Realistically speaking, globalization articulates the pauperizationfully and demands of a capitalistic system that blatantly thrive on exploitation and chinchy labor. Globalizations seemingly capitalistic nature as wellspring as its wide scope and reach are some of the reasons goat its close association to imperialism. Going back to historical discourses it can be seen that imperialism began in an era wherein land explorations and discoveries were rampant. However, it is overly fundamental to note that imperialism in the earlier days was not merely concerned on unraveling pictorial domains and territories.Along with it was the aim to conquer and rule over newly notice lands and communities, which in turn resulted to territorial disputes and conflicts between Spain and Portugal. The success of each and each exploration equates to having greater chances or possibilities for geographical and econo mic expansion. The kingdom with the well-nigh number of colonies can quick utilized the latters natural resources and labor forces. Natives are subject to harsh working conditions in order to feed the colonizers economy. Under these circumstances, indeed, the overt parallelism between globalization and imperialism is very much manifested. Globalization is imperialism redefined. Globalization is imperialism that operates and expands at a faster pace primarily because it is highly supported by sophisticated technology and talk channels (Janssens, 2004). Empires are continuously established by ruling parties.This is notwithstanding of Negri and Hardts assertion that Empires are different from conventional imperialism wherein the latter needs to distinguish a concrete spatial scope and range, while Empires are basically decentralized and deterritorialized (Held & McGrew, 2007). Based from a critical perspective, the ideological connotations and underpinnings of globalization, impe rialism and Empires of Hardt and Negri are all the same, except for the tools used for expansion and the degree or festinate wherein expansion materializes.Cultural Imperialism As globalization or imperialism for that matter, continues to disguise as a worldwide economic memory access that seeks growth and development among participate nations, another dilemma occurs. This is something that goes beyond the unequal distri notwithstandingion of wealth and jalopyive exploitation of the workers. As the rally for economic prosperity goes on, globalization has too permeated the heathen boundaries and slowly alter as an impending threat to without end beliefs, customs and traditions.Ancient practices that have been long kept and preserved by various indigenous groups are slowly eradicated and given derogatory treatments for much(prenominal) are viewed as no longer applicable or worthy within the context of highly modernized and digital world. This unfortunate lieu thus places ma rginalized groups into very uncompromising concomitants. Indigenous groups are further pushed into the periphery. The supposed globalization of culture (Inda & Rosaldo, 2008), which, ideally, should crusade convergence and connectedness is no less than a strong manifestation of ethnical imperialism. There are common chord aspects that highly characterize or define the mechanisms of ethnic imperialism (Hesmondhalgh, 2002). First, there is an unmingled overflow of heathen products that are mostly derived from the West (Hesmondhalgh, 2002). These cultural products, are consistently enforced or spoon-fed to other cultures (Hesmondhalgh, 2002).Since cultural products are widely disseminated and seemingly forced into non- westerly communities, cultural imperialism thus opens the possibility of cultural homogenization (Hesmondhalgh, 2002). Lastly, the outcomes or consequences of cultural imperialism result to the death of indigenous cultures (Hersmondhalgh, 2002). Given this offi ce at hand, Sztompka (1993) expressed that cultural imperialism is most likely to affect or influence indigenous groups situated in communities that have had their own dower of their colonial experience. While this discussion sees the importance of sharing the practices of indigenous groups for the sake of sentience and preservation, these aspects become endangered as globalization enters into the limelight. The aim for awareness transforms into close-minded stereotypical views and preservation turns into total eradication.Death of the native vocabulary Golding and Harris (1997) discussed that imperialism greatly impacts the use of language. In as far as globalization and imperialism is concerned, the massive utilization of the English language cannot be merely attributed to the event that it is the so-called international lingua franca (Thomason, 2007). Rather, on a closer look, it is an overt manifestation of western dominance and hegemony that readily jeopardizes language mu ltiplicity (Tomlinson, 1999). Held (2000) dual-lane that much of the valuable in formation is written in English. Likewise, much(prenominal) has been the primary medium for instruction in the academe and is very much employed in business communication.In as far as ethnic minorities are concerned, globalizations emphasis on modernism and connectedness forces the former to learn and use the language (English) to ensure and contain their global competitiveness. Although appropriations have been made by local or non-western cultures, such(prenominal) as Spanglish (Spanish and English) or Hinglish (Hindi and English) (Christensen & Levinson, 2003), for example, appropriations seem to miss the larger picture. Appropriations can be viewed as a direct insult to other languages, for it implies the inability of non-western languages to curb competitive advantage not unless they operate under the shadows of the English language. Since legion(predicate) individuals utilize English, min ority groups are further marginalized. Its small size cannot maybe go against the majority.Take for example the national Native the Statesns, the Navajos, which are surprisingly alienated in their own domains primarily because there language predilection differs from the large number of the populace (Baker, 2001). The incorporation of English in Malawis curricula also created adverse effects in one of ethnic groups, Lomwe, wherein, the number of its native speaker has experienced a considerable decline (Kaplan & Baldauf, 1999). Obviously, such situations do not only exemplify language dominance.More than anything else, such readily projects cultural homogenizationone of the most important determinants of cultural imperialism and / or globalization. Cultural homogenization encourages the rise of a global culture wherein issues of race and ethnicity are no longer deemed important. Consequently in order for a global culture to materialize, there is a strong need for participating en tities to converge and interact via a common languagewhich in reality, does not really upholds e prize but a plain and pure reiteration of western interests.Global AmericanizationOn the other hand, globalization is also perceived by experts as the seemingly tyrannical assertion of occidentalor to be more exact, American culture (Horton & Patapan, 2004). This occurs as cultural products in the form of art, music, film, lifestyle etc. continues to infiltrate different communities (Pearson & Simpson, 2004). Although cultural sharing and transmission are very common, the problem with this set-up is that it tacitly imposes the American way of life and perspective, with a total disregard to ethnic root and practices. This process is described by Pearson and Simpson (2004) as Americanization.Americanization further threatens non-western cultures primarily because it is aided by mass media. The diffusion of values, customs and beliefs rapidly occurs. Basically, Americanization greatly aff ects and influences the ideological stance of indigenous groups as they are constantly bombarded by images that promote and uphold the grandiosity of the American life.The frequent exposure of natives to western thoughts and ideas can readily affect their views regarding the practices of their respective ethnic groups. As the agenda-setting theory purports, mass media is very much capable of shaping ones views and impose which topics should be deemed important or not (Woodward, 2007). Mass media, under the context of Americanization also operates as a tool for biased and stereotype representations of other cultures.Hollywood for example, is cognise for its seemingly impartial portrayal of Asians. More often than not, individuals with Asian descents, or to be more specificChinese are often presented as villains in many films (Benshoff & Griffin, 2004). Likewise, Hollywood has also managed to dominate the movie industry of other countries, thus speech death to local films.Compared t o Indias Bollywood, it can be seen that in terms of the number of movies produced, the former readily outnumbers Hollywood (Wasko, 2003). However, since Hollywood has already established itself as the epitome of high quality films, this basically contributes to the decreasing appeal of Indian-made or Asian-made films. In addition to that, the seemingly negative notions attributed to Asians have readily prevented individuals from patronizing not only Bollywood, but also films which are outside the Hollywood enclave.The above-mentioned situation readily impacts the perception of Asians regarding the value and importance of their historical roots. This is most especially reliable as for the case of individuals whose parents have different ethnic origins. Affected parties are trapped in a situation wherein they have to choose and define which culture is more superior and which cultural practices should be readily exercised.The matter becomes even more complicated as Americanization le ads to intense consumerism of Western products which delimits the mapping played by local producers. According to Lockard (1998), consumerism is the result of the overlapping segments of both(prenominal) economic and cultural imperialism. Economically speaking, transnational companies Andersen and Gray (2008) implied that commodities such as sustenance and dresses can alter the individuals attitudes and orientations. Take for example, the case of fast food chains that have emerged in non-Western countries, which, in return, gave kind to a fast-food culture that readily upholds the notion that western products represent relegate and modernity (Allen, Albala & Nestle, 2007).The corresponding effect of this is that fast-food culture has transformed the ways wherein food is served and prepared. Those that do not adhere to the practices of fast-food culture are immediately push aside as way too traditional (Allen, Albala & Nestle, 2007). Allen, Albala and Neslte (2007) mentioned th at such scenario has readily taken the attention of concerned parties from China, Mexico and even a progressive country such as France. The noise created by the growing fast-food culture expresses high tendencies of destroy not only the local practices of non-western communities, but also the survival of local individuals that rely on such industry.In the meantime, the apparent decline of musical traditions and oral lore in the Igorot (a Philippine tribe) also signifies the adverse effects of consumerism. According to Reyes (cited in Craig and King, 2002), the introduction of radio in the early 70s unfastened the youth western popular music that they can enjoy on a daily basis via purchasing the cassette tapes of their favorite western artists.This situation prevented many Igorots, most especially, the younger generation from taking some time to produce songs, most especially during memorable or special events (Reyes cited in Craig & King, 2002). Since youngsters are bombarded w ith pre-packaged music, they no longer need to exert extra fret in song making for all they have to do is bribe a copy of their favorite artists and push the play button.The problem with the consumerist approach of Americanization is that it forces indigenous cultures to believe that they actually need the cultural products that are being offered to them. Americanization tends to create false needs in order to serve the western interest. SinceConclusion Indeed, undoubtedly globalization and imperialism are the same. It subdues both the economic and cultural aspects of indigenous and non-western cultures by using the idea of progress and modernity as a disguise or as a defense.With the availability of sophisticated technology, globalization or imperialism spread much faster thus bringing death to historical practices and customs. Globalization or imperialism also results to identity problems and further marginalization of ethnic groups. The consumer-driven approach have totally ba stardized and transformed the cultural expression of indigenous groups into mere commodities that readily lack the art and intricacies of traditional works via standardization.ReferencesAllen, G Albala, K. and Nestle, M. (2007). The Business of Food. Westport, CT Greenwood make Inc.Andersen, R. and Gray, J. (2008). subject field The Media. Westport, CT Greenwood Publishing Inc.Baker, C. (2001). Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. Clevedon Multilingual Matters Ltd.Benshoff, H. and Griffin, S (2004). America on Film Representing Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality at the Movies. Malden, ground forces Blackwell PublishingChristensen, D. and Levinson, D. (Eds). (2003). Encyclopedia of Community. California Sage worldly concernations Inc.Collier, P. (2007). The Bottom Billion. New York Oxford University printing press Inc.Garson, G. (2006). Public Information Technology and E-governance. 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