Culture Drives Globalization

The term ‘globalization’ did not come about till the twentieth century however the processes of globalization had been around since the era of imperial domination. “The controversy surrounding the on-going debates about globalization is whether unfettered market forces will further diverge or converge income the world over. On the one hand, proponents of globalization say it has promoted information exchange, led to a greater understanding of other cultures, raised living standards, increased purchasing power (most especially in the west) and allowed democracy to triumph over communism.” Globalization usually takes different forms and will vary in meaning depending on the individual or group interested. Globalization has generally come about to meaning the interconnectedness of the world. “Cultures, economies and politics appear to merge across the globe through the rapid exchange of information, ideas and knowledge, and the investment strategies of global corporations” People nevertheless agree that culture and economy are consequences of globalization however; it is questionable as to what drives globalization. I believe it is an intertwined concept, however it is the economy that drives globalization more. “Technology has now created the possibility and even the likelihood of a global culture. The Internet, fax machines, satellites, and cable TV are sweeping away cultural boundaries. Global entertainment companies shape the perceptions and dreams of ordinary citizens, wherever they live. This spread of values, norms, and culture tends to promote Western ideals of capitalism.” Arguably, a global culture creates a global economy through the forces of technological advancement I nonetheless disagree with this and I believe glob...

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... can be seen as more obvious. The idea of a “global culture” is more prevalent than a “global economy” Therefore, I believe that it is the economy rather than culture that drives globalization.

Works Cited

• Allan Cochrane in David Held’s A Globalizing World? Culture, Economics, Politics, Routledge 2000

• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1357503/cultural-globalization

• Chris Patten, What Next?

• Held, D. et al 1999: Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture (Polity)

• http://globalization.icaap.org/content/v3.1/01_imade.html

• http://www.globalpolicy.org/globalization/globalization-of-culture.html

• G. Ritzer (ed) The Blackwell Companion to Globalization. Oxford: Blackwell.

• Jagdish Bhagwati , In Defense Of Globalization, Oxford University Press, 2007

• Scholte, J. A. 2005: Globalization: A Critical Introduction 2nd Edition (Palgrave)