What is the relation between culture and globalization? / Minji Moon

Summary

John Tomlinson is reviewing the globalization that has broken down borders through the complex links between people caused by the development of scientific and communication technologies in modern society. Globalization allows people to communicate with people in other remote areas outside the physical space where they are located, and expands human exchanges as well as information and technology. Cultural globalization is taking place in that culture has expanded beyond its own territory. Taking air travel as an example, he explained that the space we traveled is not only physical but also social and cultural distance movement. This is a violation of a new cultural territory that is different from where I was located. The globalization he says is not just cultural unification. It is a complex single urbanization that is revealed through the interaction of disparate countries. Globalization is also a phenomenon of capitalist markets, but it is not limited to the economic sphere. Globalization is a simultaneous and complex process of economic, political, cultural and technological integration. 

 

Tomlinson argues that in modern times when mass media has become universal, it cannot be understood only by imperialism theory. Because globalization is caused by contact between different cultures. A new cultural theory that can explain this is the concept of 'DETERRITORIALIZATION'. DETERRITORIALIZATION is the loss of natural relations between cultural, geographical and social territories. This is a cultural condition of globalization. But that doesn't completely block the link between culture and territory. This is because no technology can completely deviate from physical locality.In other words, Tomlinson argues that cultural globalization should not be interpreted as imperialism but as a problem that arises as communication between cultures expands. Thus, the theory of cultural imperialism is interpreted as criticizing the capitalist modernization direction. However, he believes that modern capitalism is powerful in terms of science and technology or economics, but culturally fragile. After all, the capitalist culture of Shen Gu is a fragile one that has lost the meaning of social goals. Therefore, it cannot be explained by the theory of imperialism." 

 

According to his argument, globalization is too complicated to be seen as a unilateral cultural infusion in the West, central part of the world. After all, cultural complexity is aimed at a single city while at the same time diversifying. If you read what he suggested, globalization and culture are like "two-edged swords." Globalization of culture aims for a united world by breaking down the fence of nation and race. At the same time, however, culture can be used as a tool for governance.

 Now we are doing mediated communication beyond face-to-face communication in modern society. The 'media' that connects time and space is not just a language area. It is communication by modern technology, such as telephone and computer networks, by mass media such as newspapers, TV, radio, movies, and music. Tomlinson says being a cosmopolitan, or cosmopolitan, recognizes a global sense of belonging. We should have a cultural inclination to integrate a wide range of interests into the whole realm of everyday life. So the truly ideal cosmopolitan is not always interested only in special areas. 

 Despite Tomlinson's claims, meanwhile, there still exists the first world of capitalism and the third world.And the peripheral state is dominated by the central state. Also, people in our country are interested in American life and culture through Hollywood movies and dramas, but Americans know very little about our culture. There are even people who don't know where our country is.

Interesting Point

His view that "globalization is too complex a process to see as a one-sided cultural infusion of central countries" was interesting. Of course I agree with him. But let's look at our real lives. Don't we really live in a culture infused with advanced countries? Is there any Western culture that has been injected without us knowing?

The view of Cosmopolitan was also new. I agree with the opinion that we should extend our attention to a wide area, not one place. As a sociology major, I came to think again about Cosmopolitan's mindset.

Discussion

Do you think there is a culture instilled by advanced countries?

If you agree, what would be the example?