Cultural Globalization

1) summary

Tomlinson said Globalization is a complex, accelerating, integrating process of global connectivity. And culture is a dimension in which globalization both has its effects and simultaneously is generated and shaped.

Globalization means integration, but not necessarily. Globalization has connectivity in each country, but it is different from creating a single, integrated world.

He disagrees with the opinion that cultural globalization takes the form of cultural imperialism, causing the loss of non-Western traditional culture. Of course, that cultures may be harmful on an individual level, but they do not mean a deep surrender to Western cultural values.

He also disagrees with the argument that a culture that is regarded as a universal culture denies other cultures. But is against forcing certain things and creating a distorted culture.

He said the better way to discuss globalization than the ethnocentric approach is in the deterritorialization. Culture is no longer much tied to geographic location or environment, climate, and racial boundary discrimination and practice that occurred there. The culture produced by locality is no longer the single most important factor in our lived reality. Deterritorialization makes we all have of our relevant environment, our understanding of what counts as home and abroad, our horizon of cultural and moral relevance, even our sense of cultural and national identity.

He also said, One of the main challenges of global cultural analysis is to come to terms with the way in which telemediatization is shaping our lives – and, indeed, our values. The speed of electronic communication is having a great impact on globalization, and it is also valued as a commodity. We can share cultures far away through electronic communication.

Finally, he argues that whether to raise the hand of universal human rights and cultural differences will be known by solving the problem of the formation of cultural identity. He says globalization is not a threat to cultural identity, but a force to produce and spread it.

2) what was interesting

I was impressed that culture is no longer limited to geographical elements. While listening to music from other countries, liking entertainers from other countries, watching movies from other countries, I have never thought of interpreting my experience in that way. By reading this article, I realized that globalization is close to my everyday life.

3) discussion point

This article mentions the dilemma between universal human rights and cultural differences. 

I have also been thinking about this point a lot. For example, should Islamic Honor killings be respected as their traditional culture?