1. The Cultural Dimension of Globalization
Elisabeth Hogan I32018
April 16, 2014

2. Table of Contents I: Introduction II: Key Points
III: Cultural Differentialism
IV: Cultural Hybridization
V: Cultural Convergence
VI: Questions

3. Introduction
Culture exists in ideas, words, images, musical sounds and flow easily throughout the world due primarily to development in technology. Digitized forms of technology have allowed for much faster and wider flow of global culture, however, it is not as widely or evenly dispersed as we may assume. The lack of internet access by many countries, denies their access to other cultures and also prohibits their culture from being spread. This has been referred to as the “information gap,” (WHO). It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of Africans will never make a phone call in their lives, however 70 percent will hear radio broadcasts. This also raises the question of biased culture exposure. Who is producing the radio broadcasts? How are various cultures being portrayed in movies and TV? Even with the advent of technology, there are still huge gaps in true cultural knowledge.
There is also the notion of what forms of culture spread faster than others. “Pop culture” tends to spread much faster than do theories and social sciences. The Americanization of the rest of the world is seen through the capitalistic spread of pop culture through movies, music, and food, etc.
The World Health Organization suggests that it is possible to blame the spread of American culture with the resulting negative behaviors that have started to develop, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, increasing social conflict, loss of identity, dislocation and dissatisfaction, However, the counter argument here is that increased access develops a deeper understanding and acceptance to various global problems such as gender equality, human rights, health benefits, and the de-stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDs.

4. Key Points
1. Technology has played a huge role in the globalization of culture, however not as far reaching as we may assume due to the “information gap.”
2. Biases of culture being spread, based on who is producing the information.
3. Ritzer’s 3 theories; Cultural Differentialism, Cultural Hybridization, Cultural Convergence
4. Glocalization and Grobalization

5. Cultural Differentialism Civilizations
1996: Samuel Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of the World Order (political- economic bias v. cultural differences)
8 World Civilizations
Sinic, Japan, Hindu, Islamic, Orthodox, Western Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa
Civilizations
1. Broadest level of cultural identity
2. Differ on philosophical assumptions, underlying values, social relations, customs, and overall outlooks on life
3. Most enduring of human associations, broadest level of cultural identity, span more than one nation-state, aligned with religion and race

6. Cultural Differentialism Civilizations
3 Major time periods:
BC-1500AD: civilizations widely separated by time and space, very limited contact, but intense!
AD- End of WWII: impact of powerful Western culture on others (technological advancement of west; ocean navigation and military)
3. Post WWII- 1990: Multi-civilization system; expansion of West, met with revolt. Capitalist v. Communist, religion, culture, civilization. Huntington predicts decline of Western dominance, growth of Asia (China, India). Clash between West (arrogance), Sino (assertiveness), Islam (intolerance). Universalism v. Imperialism

7. Cultural Differentialism Religion
Religion globalized before anything else, globalization existing for 2000 years.

8. Cultural Differentialism Religion
ISLAM
7th Century- Founded by Mohammed
Muslims were not a ‘chosen people’- humanity had common destiny
Must build on Christianity/Judaism- universalistic ideas spread throughout world
“First of world’s great religious civilizations to understand itself as one religion among others.”
Only one god, only one view- no notion of nation-state borders
HINDUISM
900 million, primarily in India
lacks “founder, essential set of fundamental of beliefs and practices, or a church”
Spread 6 continents- migrants and teachers
Easternization of the world (Yoga, meditation, transcendentalism)

9. Cultural Differentialism Religion
CHRISTIANITY
2 billion- fastest growing with Islam
Spread through Middle East, Roman Empire- Constantine
‘Christianization’ of the World
Crusades- spread of christianity, portrayal of globalization. liberate holy land from Muslims who took control of Jerusalem in 638ce.
percent will be hispanic. Differs between N and S- S more conservative
Spread of christianity 16th-18th century- linked to spread of European power and influence
BUDDHISM
million, mainly in Asia
Spread of Buddhism throughout globe- ‘cyber-buddhism’ ‘McBuddhism’
Decline, especially in Japan. Used primarily in funerals- aging society- now moving towards other religions

10. Cultural Differentialism Religion
JUDAISM
13 million people
19th century- spread of Jews from middle east- N.America, Europe, Israel.
1948- Founding of Israel; 5 million Jews
Conflicts between Israel and Muslims over Palestine reflect global significance of Judaism
MORMONISM
19th Century U.S- 2 mil in 1960, up to ~13 mil presently.
7 mil members outside U.S, 8,400 churches in 178 countries
Until ban on black priests; ,000 African members
Globalization and various processes; internet, satellite broadcasts, missionaries
Has not adapted to local traditions “no matter where you go in the world, the service is the same.”

11. Cultural Hybridization
Positive/Romantic view of globalization- mixing of cultures leading to unique combinations
Globalization- ‘interpenetration of the global and the local resulting in unique outcomes in different geographic areas’
Glocalization- ‘individuals and local groups as important and creative agents’
Hybridization- ‘external flows interact with internal flows producing unique cultural hybrid that combines their elements
Creolization- ‘combination of languages and cultures previously unintelligible to one another’

12. Cultural Hybridization

13. Cultural Convergence
Cultures are subject to many of the same global flows and tend to grow more alike
Cultures change due to globalization- increasingly similar; assimilation towards dominant global societies
Does not contend that local societies are disappearing

14. Cultural Convergence Cultural Imperialism
Indian Sari Weavers India’s Professional letter-writers
UNESCO- November 2, 2001: Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity
“The process of globalization, then, does not seem to be producing cultural uniformity; rather it makes us aware of new levels of diversity. If there is a global culture, it would be better to conceive of it not as a common culture, but as a field in which differences, power struggles and cultural prestige contests are played out.”

15. Cultural Convergence
Globalization is uneven, neglecting and excluding some areas; not entirely GLOBAL
Deterritorialization- declining significance of the geographic location in which culture exists
World Culture- spread of global models leading to global convergence; politics, business, education, family, religion...more uniformity
Isomorphism- series of global models that have led to a great uniformity throughout the world (decline of nation-state role in global world) ‘STATELESSNESS’
Theory that globalization is enabling and allows for self-actualization of people, accepted by people, rather than imposed on them

16. Convergence- NO uniformity/homogeneity
Cultural Convergence
EFFICIENCY- discover best possible means to reach desired end (Korean coffee shops)
CALCULABILITY- emphasis on quantity, detriment to quality (both employees and patrons)
PREDICTABILITY- generic expectations regardless of geographic location
CONTROL- technology (automatic fry- machine; employees and patrons)
Convergence- NO uniformity/homogeneity

17. Cultural Convergence
Grobalization (Convergence)- imperialistic ambitions of nation-states, corporations, and organizations, and their imposition throughout the world
Glocalization (Hybridization)- interpretation of the global and the local resulting in unique outcomes in different geographical areas

18. Cultural Convergence Sports
Global media coverage- technology/internet
Global sport companies (branding)- Nike, Adidas, Reebok…
Global sport stars- Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, David Beckham

19. Cultural Convergence Sports
loss of U.S dominance- not good at soccer, other sports are infiltrated
sports are glocalized- global aspects integrated with local aspects

20. Questions
1. Which of Ritzer’s 3 theories; differentialism, convergence, hybridization, do you think is most applicable?
2. Having first hand exposure to many different cultures through school, work, and travel, have you noticed any media (books, movies, tv shows) that either accurately or inaccurately portrays a particular culture?
3. In regards to the “information gap,” do you think that globalization is global? How far off are we?