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The most common definition of globalization is the one that refers to breaking down
of national barriers to facilitate trade and commerce. Cultural hegemony is the imposition
of a homogeneous global culture through marketing, advertising, laws and other
top-down forms of influence.
Interaction between cultures has been happening since time immemorial; but with
the development of various communication and transportation facilities, opening up of
isolated markets and integration of diverse economies, the world has become a global village.
The inevitability of this phenomenon has increased the frequency of interaction
among world cultures. This interaction has lead to the amalgamation of various cultures and
the development of a `global culture'. However, many people believe that global culture
is `western culture' or `American culture', and we are witnessing `cultural imperialism' in
the third world countries.
Contrary to the above view, a second school of thought believes that what we
are witnessing, as a result of globalization, is `cultural hybridity' or `acculturation' and
not cultural imperialism.
Beginning with a brief discussion about culture and the influence of globalization
on it, this paper introduces two varied schools of thought dealing with global influences
on culture and brings forth the views and counter views of intellectuals who have been
debating this issue since the past few decades. |
