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.

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 ReviewGoogle StreetviewMenuTimeOutReview What traits of Hong Kong / China do you see in this location? What purpose does this location serve? Does London’s Chinatown preserve authentic traits of Chinese culture? Arguments for? Arguments against?

2. Examine the impact of cultural diffusion on one indigenous society. DEFINE INDIGENOUS SOCIETY: Use the task sheet called ‘Indigenous Tribes’ to develop your ideas on how increased global interactions and reduced friction of distance can erode cultures and reduce isolation of the Penan Tribe, Borneo.

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. What is the link? 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".

Evaluation of Cultural Imperialism ADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES 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?