Throughout the history of the human race there has always been an “us vs. them” mentality, driving our desire and need to be a part of a particular group. What drives us to belong to one group or another? Will there ever be a time in which our sameness overpowers our few differences? Is globalization the answer to all of our troubles? The things that separate “us” from “them” may or may not be something we can change, but even with the global advances that have been made, the divide clearly remains.
The term globalization is relatively new, but its definition runs deep. Globalization can refer to the integration of cultures, international business practices and economy, or even politics; it is a word of all trades. Never has one word managed to cut across so many different sections of everyday life. That is why it is so significant. But does it really affect who “we” are --- who “they” are?
Of course it does, whether we would like to admit it or not. The advancements in high speed airplane and railway travel, coupled with the increased capabilities in communication (internet, phone, social media), has greatly improved the ways in which people are able to connect with others from around the world. People today are able to experience different parts of the world by picking up the phone, turning on their computer, or even taking a relatively easy plane ride across the ocean to expand their own “inner circle.” Companies do business around the world to save on production costs and increase revenue. Top politicians from the United States attempt to work with politicians from different countries to improve international relations, tackle worldwide issues, and collaborate different ideas. When we make these kinds of connections we are ul...
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...hers’ culture and ideas won’t be easy. Appiah makes the argument that even understanding another’s culture can be difficult, never mind trying to agree with it (658). However, it may be possible if we show an openness and willingness to actually listen and learn about another culture. Understanding the history behind the customs and traditions can help many people make sense of a strange idea. The “us vs. them” mentality will probably never fully disappear but it could be possible to make the lines less deliberate.
Globalization makes it possible for ideas to cross borders every day, but will it ever completely bridge the gap between “us vs. them”? Do we really want to bridge that gap and dismiss everything that makes various cultures unique? Only time will answer those questions but until then the split will remain visible, even if the lines are clouding.
... globalization, especially in a cultural sense, almost contradict themselves. "Globalization" is a complex phenomenon, uniquely marked with two opposing forces. On one hand, it is characterized by massive economic expansion and technological innovation. On the other hand, there is an increased inequality, cultural and social turmoil, and individual alienation.
Therefore, on one hand, the increasing globalization meant: “the diminishing importance of borders, growing politico-economic interdependence, overlapping jurisdicti...
Overtime, as shown through the shift from Fordist to Post-Fordist ideals for production, it takes long period of time to mix people and nations closer together. This is being done through technological innovation, as technology is helping to dissolve former barriers of time and distance. Factories that used to dominate the United States have now spread throughout the world, providing jobs for people globally. Consumers are also on an international level, as there is a greater awareness and understanding of what is happening everywhere. Globalization, however, also produces economic and social disorders while producing public concerns over job security, the distribution of economic gains, and the impact of instability on people. Many people also worry about a growing focus of economic power, harm to the environment, danger to public health and safety, the breakup of native cultures, and the loss of power and responsibility within government. I believe that as a global citizen, I have to look at all perspectives from people in different situations and realization how current times have come to be. I am a part of an entire world community and all my actions, although in a miniscule amount, contribute to building the world’s community values and practices. By living in the United States and attending UW Madison, I
The paradoxical dichotomy of globalization and cultural diversity are, on one hand, globalization provides third world cultures, and nations in conflict, the potential to become empowered through interaction with stronger, more stable cultures. One the other hand, it can also lead to the disempowerment of people in weaker nations by stronger nations with negative influences and motives of colonization that will deprive the native cultures of their identity. There are positive and negative aspects of globalization, however, it is the driving force for innovation, cultural interaction and the prospect of building stronger cultural
...lture. When people are too stubborn to entertain other points of view, perspectives, definitions, and belief systems they will stop growing and learning new ways of seeing things. Similarly, when members who make up a culture view those outside their group as hostile or judgmental and keep themselves separate from anyone from an alternate culture, they are engendering the prejudicial attitudes and stereotypes they find so offensive. .When people are comfortable with their own cultural identity and are self-aware or their own strengths and weaknesses they can explore other cultures in an open manner without feeling threatened by differences they encounter. This will lead to empathy and understanding among cultures such that the increasing trend towards globalization will result in a richer world instead of a world marred by miscommunication based on ethnocentricity.
Globalization is a very broad term which “encompasses all cross-border interactions, whether economic, politics or cultural”(Marber 67). Even though globalization is a broad term, it is meet with a lot of hostility and praise. Peter Marber’s article, “Globalization and Its Contents” seeks to explain what globalization is and what opposition it faces.
Globalization, the acceleration and strengthening of worldwide interactions among people, companies and governments, has taken a huge toll on the world, both culturally and economically. It’s generating a fast-paced, increasingly tied world and also praising individualism. It has been a massive subject of matter amongst scientists, politicians, government bureaucrats and the normal, average human population. Globalization promoted the independence of nations and people, relying on organizations such as the World Bank and also regional organizations such as the BRICs that encourage “a world free of poverty” (World Bank). Despite the fact that critics can argue that globalization is an overall positive trend, globalization has had a rather negative cultural and economic effect such as the gigantic wealth gaps and the widespread of American culture, “Americanization”; globalization had good intentions but bad results.
Ultimately, Globalization is a powerful force which will try to deprive lesser nations of their culture and identities. However, culture is a powerful force which allows for the contradictions and conflict faced between the globalizing world to be solved and answered. With culture ethnic-Mexicans are able to remain who they are, a rich, diverse culture with a long history. The one positive of globalization has been the ability of cultures to share their greatness with others and spread about the world. However, this comes with caution, as cultures sometimes battle for dominance in an area. Globalization is good for some, terrible for others, but through culture people are able to maintain their identi
The concept of globalization has opened up nations to new waves of political challenges and more needy responses from global stakeholders and individual governments
...ent prevails over the degradation. In my opinion, the benefits of globalization discussed in this paper are far more important than it's costs or the costs and benefits of localization. Although, localization and globalization will continue co-existing, globalization will continue to increasingly dominate over time because most countries are generally leading to and becoming more accepting of the idea of globalization. In conclusion, the benefits gained by globalization are the most important to people's lives because it aides in the learning process of people expanding their horizons and understanding the benefits to countries, organizations, and groups working together. Although losing some part of one's national identity can be a disadvantage at times, the advantages of being able to work together and help each other in a globally integrated world are much more.
Globalization is defined as “the historical process involving a fundamental shift or transformation in the spatial scale of human social organization that links distant communities and expands the reach of power relations across regions and continents (Baylis, 2014).”
Globalization refers to the process of the intensification of economic, political, social and cultural relations across international boundaries. It can be argued that, in the contemporary world, the process of globalization is challenging the traditional ways in which migration and ethnic relations have been conceptualized. Globalization `denotes the processes through which sovereign national states are criss-crossed and undermined by transnational actors’. Globalization has three major pillars: 1) the emergence of global markets and post-national knowledge-intensive economies; 2) new information and communication technologies; and 3) unprecedented levels of immigration and displacement. The three formations suggest that globalization in
Since the late twentieth century, the world has experienced a vast transformation with regards to world economies, culture, and politics. The great advancements in technology and communication since the late twentieth century has served a catalysts for what is known today as globalization. The ambition to develop a single global economy along with a universal culture are the promises of globalization. Perhaps the clearest evidence that demonstrates globalization is a reality is the fact that at this point in time very diverse cultures form around the world closer to each other than ever before. That being said, when it comes to the spreading of democracy and human rights, having world cultures closer to each other can prove to be beneficial
Those who support globalization believe it is a positive concept because it promotes the diffusion of wealth, culture, knowledge, and technology. Proponents argue that the dissemination of information and wealth of this type will only benefit citizens, from the poorest in developing countries, to the wealthiest in established countries. In addition, they claim the integration of cultures and economies leads to the spread of information, which also increases religious, cultural, and racial tolerance. However, in spite of all these well-intentioned ideas, globalization h...