SOCIO-CULTURAL INTEGRATION 1. Examine the role of diasporas in preserving culture and the adoption of minority traits by the host nation. 2. Examine the impact of cultural diffusion on one indigenous society. 3. Define and exemplify cultural imperialism.

Arguments for? Arguments against? 1. Examine the role of diasporas in preserving culture and the adoption of minority traits by the host nation. DEFINE DIASPORA: A small population existing within a host location that have all migrated from an original common source. DEFINE MINORTY TRAIT: The characteristics of a location that are imposed as a ‘foreign’ or ‘alien’ element of culture by a migrant population. London’s Chinatown: Google Streetview Menu TimeOut Review What traits of Hong Kong / China do you see in this location? What purpose does this location serve? Does London’s China Town preserve authentic traits of Chinese culture? Arguments for? Arguments against?

2. The impact of cultural diffusion on one indigenous and remote society through the influence of international interactions.

Hill tribes – Northern Thailand

Akah Hill Tribes. Northern Thailand Examine the impact of cultural diffusion on one indigenous and remote society through the influence of international interactions Akah Hill Tribes. Northern Thailand Location of Akah Hill Tribe, Northern Thailand Ideas Reduction in friction of distance, tourism, trade, aid, migration, market access, agro industrialisation

Spontaneous migration Moved freely through borders Now restricted Make up 12% of population of Northern Thailand

Akha People Northern Thailand Primarily agricultural economy – shifting cultivation Language – Akha Population of around 400 000 in total distributed in Thailand, Burma, Laos and China One of the largest hill tribes in Northern Thailand

Decreasing frictional effect of distance: Growth of tourism in Northern Thailand due to…… Links to Butler model

The good Increased access to goods e.g. transport (cars, motorbikes) Access to markets for agricultural goods Shift towards cash crops e.g. soya beans, mangoes. Maintenance of cultural traits for the benefit of tourists (dress, goods) Potential to improve rates of literacy at local schools. Increasing recognition of the issues facing indigenous groups through increase socio cultural interactions.

The bad Few Akha people in Thailand are recognised as citizens Enforcement of political boarders in past 100 years Therefore a lack of political infrastructure to support indigenous populations Therefore have no rights to state education, employment, visas. Not eligible for ID cards in Thailand OR Burma

The government of Thailand has restricted shifting cultivation leading to more sedentary life styles Ecological decline threatens the Akha’s way of life. A shift towards opium farming for some.

3. Define and exemplify cultural imperialism. DEFINE CULTURAL IMPERIALISM: The practice of promoting the culture values or language of one nation in another, forced or voluntarily. Cultural imperialism can refer to either the forced acculturation of a subject population, or to the voluntary embracing of a foreign culture by individuals who do so of their own free will. Cultural influence can be seen by the "receiving" culture as either a threat to or an enrichment of its cultural identity. The imported products or services can themselves represent, or be associated with, certain values (such as consumerism). According to one argument, the "receiving" culture absorbs the foreign culture passively through the use of the foreign goods and services. Due to its somewhat concealed, but very potent nature, this hypothetical idea is described by some experts as "banal imperialism." For example, it is argued that while "American companies are accused of wanting to control 95 percent of the world's consumers", "cultural imperialism involves much more than simple consumer goods; it involved the dissemination of American principles such as freedom and democracy", a process which "may sound appealing" but which "masks a frightening truth: many cultures around the world are disappearing due to the overwhelming influence of corporate and cultural America". What is the link?

Evaluation of Cultural Imperialism ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES The availability of commodities is increased and goods or services have greater global penetration. Wider integration of new technologies. Improvement in adoption of languages. Greater amounts of bilateral trade which can lead to economic progress. Encourages and enhances the process of homogenisation. Local cultures are lost or diluted. Local industries may become marginalised by TNCs. Economic and political exploitation e.g. resources may be overused or extracted unsustainably. For any of the case studies we have considered during global interactions, say how they are either an advantage or disadvantage (as identified above). What processes or changes might counteract cultural imperialism?