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