Assignment 3: Reader Response (Draft)

In the article “Assessing globalization – Benefits and drawbacks of trade and integration”, Kohut and Wike (2008) mention that globalization continues to generate opposing views from the rich and poor nations. Although globalization is being favoured due to the strong economic growth that results from international trade and free markets, it is gradually losing its support because of the rising wealth disparity and dilution of native cultures. Other repercussions include transmigration of people and the detrimental effects on the environment.

With regard to the dilution of local cultures and traditions, it has been argued that this phenomenon is largely due to Americanization whereby the spread of the Westernized ideas and cultures is prevalent through globalization. Contrary to conventional assumption that the superpowers of the world are capable of dominating the other countries even in the cultural aspect, it should be recognized that cultures are dynamic (Erez & Gati, 2004). No one culture remains stagnant because every culture is constantly evolving. Thus, it is unlikely that the American culture which is evolving as well, can homogenize other cultures. Furthermore, the Americans are also opening up to foreigners, and a decentralization of culture can be observed. Hence despite the seemingly imbalance hold of power, America is no longer the sole party in the unequal spread of culture.

Apart from that, the influence of the American culture on the other countries seems to be overstated, simply because people are not passive consumers of foreign cultures. In the course of retaining one’s own culture as much as possible, the locals do know how to reject and only accept things that are applicable to them. In the process of accepting, modifications of the foreign original culture will also occur. Hence, this further supports the point that cultures are always changing. In parallel to the retaining of one’s culture, it may also be inevitably diluted due to other factors not owing to foreign influences. An example is the change in the mindset of the younger generations who place lesser emphasis on the preservation of their cultures.

Hence, the association of cultural globalization with Western imperialism in particular Americanization, often used in a pejorative sense to reject foreign influence, does not seem to do the Americans justice as a member of this globalized world.

(376 words)

M. Erez & E. Gati (2004). A Dynamic, Multi-Level Model of Culture: From the Micro Level of the Individual to the Macro Level of a Global Culture. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 53(4), 583 –598

Assignment 2: Final Summary of "Assessing Globalization - Benefits and Drawbacks of Trade and Integration"

Kohut and Wike (2008) state that globalization continues to generate opposing views from the rich and poor nations. Economic globalization resulting in strong growth generally receives global backing. However, a declining trend is seen in the developed nations since 2007 as more people think negatively of economic globalization due to its repercussions, one of which is the rising wealth disparity within nations. Besides that, for the developed and developing nations alike, the concern over the phenomenon of Americanization resulting in the loss of local cultures is also increasing. Transmigration of people in search of better job opportunities also generates rejection of globalization. Most importantly, the detrimental environmental effects have caused the world to prioritize environmental conservation over economic growth. All in all, globalization may still be considered as a benefitting process. However, if the disadvantages spread to the developing countries, it may become more of a bane than a boon.

(150 words)

Assignment 2: Summary of "Assessing Globalization - Benefits and Drawbacks of Trade and Integration"

Kohut and Wike (2008) state that globalization continues to generate opposing views from the rich and poor nations. In the economic aspect, international trade, multinational corporations and free markets resulting in strong growth generally garner support from the world. However, a declining trend was seen in the developed nations since 2007 as more people think negatively of economic globalization due to its repercussions. One of which is the rising wealth disparity between the nation’s rich and poor, which calls for government intervention albeit with free markets by the majorities. Besides that, for the developed and developing nations alike, the concern over the phenomenon of Americanization resulting in the lost of local cultures and traditions is also increasing. Transmigration of people in search of better job opportunities is another worry of the locals, which generates rejection towards globalization. Most importantly, the detrimental effects on the environment in the face of economic development cause the world to prioritize environmental conservation over economic growth. All in all, globalization may be considered as a benefitting process as of now. However, supposing that the disadvantages of it spread to the developing countries as well, it may become more of a bane than a boon. 

(199 words)

Assignment 1: "The importance of writing in English"

In this globalized world, different cultures and languages have had evolved to become more homogeneous in the current times. Inevitably, the superpowers in the world such as the United States have created a major influence on the rest of the world whether it is in the political, economic or cultural aspect. More significantly in the aspect of the economic arena, countries are becoming increasingly interdependent, usually with the Americans included. Transnational movement of goods and services has since brought along with it Western cultures and the English language as well. With that, people have realized the importance of writing and conversing in English in order to be connected to the rest of the world. It may be even for the simple reason of being able to express themselves properly and accurately in a language which the majority of the people in the world perceive as being the universal language.