1. Globalisation -
Enriching Our Lives and global culture?

2. Superpower Geographies 2
Superpower Geographies 2. Impacts and influences of Superpowers a) The changes from colonial rule to indirect neo-colonial rule b) Key roles in international decision making, policy and action c) Control of trade d) Superpower influence in the idea of developing a ‘global culture’
Learning Objectives:
Understand that the superpower influence extends to the idea of a developing ‘global culture’
Identify the issues that this has created in some groups

3. What is “Global Culture”?
Is global culture simply……
American cultural imperialism?
the spread of American consumer culture?
the McDonaldization of the World?
YES, AND NO

4. Global Culture –what is it?
Since the 1990’s some people have identified the idea of a ‘global culture’. This is linked to the dominance of the USA as a superpower, the growing influence of the EU and the influence of some TNC’s. It is difficult to define exactly what this term is but some characteristics are:-
A culture of consumerism
A culture of capitalism and gaining individual wealth
English as the dominant language
White, Anglo-Saxon culture
A culture that selects the best bits of other cultures and absorbs them into theres.

5. Is the World now becoming Americanised? Tasks
Using information on pages of the Parrot book produce mind maps to assess cultural Americanisation - you may want to produce 2 diagrams: one to identifying the factors that reinforce this idea , one that questions its importance.
Use the rest of this powerpoint on McDonalds to include in your answer.
Also use the information in the Philip Allan book on pages 119 and 120.

6. Global McDonalds
McDonald's franchises and operates more than 32,000 fast-food restaurants in over 100 countries.
Europe ... $7,072 (35% of total company revenues)
United States ... $6,955 (34%)
Australia/Asia Asia-Pacific ... $2,815 (14%)
Latin America ... $1,327 (6%)
Canada ... $948 (5%)
Other ... $1,343 (6%)

7. McDonald’s Culture
McDonaldization refers to "the principles of the fast-food restaurant coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as of the rest of the world. world.” (Ritzer Ritzer)
McDonald’s Emphasizes
Efficiency
Calculability
Predictability
Control

8. Advantages of McDonaldization (Ritzer)
A wider range of goods and services is available to a much larger portion of the population.
People are able to get what they want or need almost instantaneously.
Fast, efficient goods and services are available to a population that is working longer hours and has fewer hours to spare.
In a rapidly changing, unfamiliar, and seemingly hostile world, there is comfort in the comparatively stable, familiar, and safe environment of a McDonaldized system.

9. Task - background research Produce a fact file on McDonaldisation to include the following information: - global distribution map of McDonald’s restaurants ( - History - Adaptations of products to different cultures and countries - Impact on culture - Problems that have risen

10. Plenary Is there now a reaction against the rise of Americanisation?
Can you think of examples of recent events that has resulted in a growing cultural backlash against the World’s major superpower? (Use page 120 of the Philip Allan book to get some initial ideas)

11. Exam Practice Page 103 Globe Book
Complete this 2 part question using the data provided to help you answer part a.
Tip – make sure you focus on the command words ‘ Explain and Evaluate!’