The term globalization basically refers to the integration of individuals, companies, as well as governments of different nations. Globalization is said to be driven by international trade and investment and the main factor that acts towards achieving it is information technology. Many scholars have been looking at globalization as a whole and have had different views in regards to it and as such, some are in agreement with globalization while others refute it by all means. There have been various heated debates in regards to globalization and one of the questions that many scholars ask is whether globalization is producing a global monoculture. Different scholars have had different views in regards to this question and in our case we will look at both ends of the question, that is, either for the motion that globalisation is producing a global monoculture or against this motion.
Globalization as homogenization- homogeneity in this case may be said to be the coming together of people from different backgrounds and cultures to come up with a common culture. There has been the rise of global goods around the world there by reflecting the spread of globalization .
Real life example-the spread of communication technology has been seen to homogenize global cultural flows and led to the creation of global celebrities such as Wayne Rooney. Another example that is very evident in this case is the spread of English which has become a dominant language.
Americanization of the world- this is basically as a result of the homogenization which has resulted to westernization of a great part of the world and to be more specific Americanization. There has been a notable rise in the homogenized popular culture more specifically the US. Lifestyle and norms have been embraced by many and as such have overwhelmed cultures that are seen to be vulnerable.
Real life example-a good example in this case in the economic sector is how the McDonalds Company has been embraced by many around the world. We may say that there is the McDonaldization of the world which is a perfect reflection of the rise of capitalism which is a main character of the American consumer.
Points Against The Motion
Globalization as hybridization-there has been variance and diversity that has been observed in all societies as a result of the emergence of globalization. This fact is pointed out by the reverse cultural growth.
Real life example-many of the developed states can be seen to have been influenced by religions that are non-western for example in the case of sports there has been non-western sports such as karate, kick-boxing, judo among others .
Return of the local-in this case, the factor of globalization either strengthening or undermining local influences is considered and this undermines globalization as homogenization.
Real life example-a good example in this case is Sky Sports and Super Sports or BBC news Network where alien goods and practices are embraced to local conditions and needs.
Having looked at the case for and against the motion, several factors point out that globalization does lead to a global monoculture. The spread of technology is one of the factors that result to the widespread of cultures and the dominant cultures are embraced by people from cultures that are less dominant. Today, there has been a wide spread of the western culture around the world and as such global monoculture is evident. It would be therefore proper to conclude that globalization does lead to global monoculture.
Works Cited
Heywood, Andrew. Global Politics. New York: PALGRAVE MACMILLAN, 2011.
Lane, Jan-Erik. Globalization: The Juggernaut of the 21st Century. London: John Wiley & Sons, 2008. Print.
