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Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Kawasari Mimoto - 2010-03-04
Because of how America takes advantage of the huge global economic networks, Walmart's one of the top businesses all over America. So, you might ask "Where are you going with this?". Great question. The global economic network has advantages as well as drawbacks, those being that we in America gets cheaper goods from other countries for a substantially lower cost in comparison to goods that were made in America. Goods developed in America costs higher due to wages, for example, the minimum wage in Pennsylvania is 7.25 (might be 7.35 by now, not positive). However, America is also spreading it's grounds. In the last couple years or so, it's blatantly obvious that McDonalds does not exist only in America. McDonalds are practically everywhere, I know for a fact China, Japan, and Vietnam has McDonalds. Because of this, we use the term cultural imperialism to describe how our culture has spread it's wings upon other cultures. Not by force (that's more like 'empires'), but people see things, and they want it.
"Oh, what does that pizza taste like?"
"What is a pizza?'
"I want a hamburger like those Americans"
Which is why McDonalds and other pizza stores opens up in other countries. But because of the fact this is becoming more widespread, does this ruin the value of diversity? Are other countries simply being culturally-dominated by America?
Okay, let's put this in another perspective. English. The English language is becoming like Latin now, people are starting to learn it from other countries. English is a relatively easy language to learn, and one of the easiest languages to be adapted into for business communication. Would this be considered as culture-domination? Ever notice how more people in the United States are starting to watch Japanese Animation now? Are we also being dominated by Japan's influences and cultures? Do you think other cultures and countries' values have changed because of this dominance?
Another key thing is, the internet plays a great role upon this. Because people are more aware of their surroundings due to the internet. So in a way, is the internet encouraging this rapid growth?
Something I've pondered about.
-uses idiot-proof filtering in case certain people pops in thrad-
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Horusmaster - 2010-03-04
I'm pretty sure there's a Chinatown in almost every big city in the world, does the mean China is dominanting the world?
Yet I don't think there is an "American town" in any part of the world if you know what i mean.
And the mcdonald's/pizza doesn't taste the same as the American ones in China, they taste like Chinese food in China.
Walmart is also considered an expensive supermarket in China, only rich people goes to Walmart.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Kalovale - 2010-03-04
I wouldn't think of it as ruining, personally. Sure teenagers here eat hamburgers like just any other snack by now, while I still clearly remember it as a big treat from my dad every once in a blue moon not too long ago; that doesn't change the fact that they still go to school 6 days a week, they still can't sue their parents any time they get spanked with a stick, regardless its size. I believe I won't be seeing highschool kids taking each other out for pizza for dinner as a "what's special about that" deal yet in the next 10 years.
Culture is formed after a long long time of daily lives, and life moves on, therefore every culture is subject to adaptation, given that there is change. During the time it takes for one culture to shift in its direction (regardless of external affluences), the affecting cultures would've shifted to their new forms, thus there is no real "ruining" any culture. That's, in my opinion, for old people and their stubbornness.
Speaking for my country, be it the US or Japan, France, China, all of who have once colonized us, we share part of their cultures. We're heavily influenced by Chinese culture due to the fact that we were a part of them for too long, we have no other words beside "cafe" to refer to coffee and I don't see that changing any time soon, we make curry with Indian curry powder and we use Microsoft's Windows OS (cracked by the Chinese though). Can I say our culture has been ruined by any of those countries? I think otherwise. Those cultural traits form our specific culture as it is known today.
As for two-way influences, I'm not too sure but I'm under the impression that money/power talks here. Maybe Quantact could give you a better historical insight but I'd say we look at the role models of history. Then again, China has Dim Sum and we have Pho almost everywhere by now. It probably is decided by an internal factor of each cultural trait itself. If one thing possesses enough value in one culture, it gets integrated in, otherwise, rejected.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Kawasari Mimoto - 2010-03-04
Horusmaster Wrote:I'm pretty sure there's a Chinatown in almost every big city in the world, does the mean China is dominanting the world?
Yet I don't think there is an "American town" in any part of the world if you know what i mean.
And the mcdonald's/pizza doesn't taste the same as the American ones in China, they taste like Chinese food in China.
Walmart is also considered an expensive supermarket in China, only rich people goes to Walmart.
I believe you misinterpreted my question. Must have been some sort of 'lost in translation' going on here, or I didn't phrase it well enough as I had previously anticipated. When I say 'dominance', I don't mean a country dominating another country. I mean their cultures and values dominating another country's.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - MasPan - 2010-03-04
[color="#cc8899"]Does it matter? Tradition has always meant little to me - while I feel sad when I realize something I grew up with isn't as valuable to new generations as it is to me, I recognize that they have their own things that they cherish equally. Who am I to say that what's valuable to me is more important or better?
With the exception of music. Modern music sucks. Period. 90% of "music" after the 80s sucks. Hell, half the 80s sucks. 60s and 70s bltches.[/COLOR]
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Kawasari Mimoto - 2010-03-04
MasPan Wrote:[color="#cc8899"]Does it matter? Tradition has always meant little to me - while I feel sad when I realize something I grew up with isn't as valuable to new generations as it is to me, I recognize that they have their own things that they cherish equally. Who am I to say that what's valuable to me is more important or better?
With the exception of music. Modern music sucks. Period. 90% of "music" after the 80s sucks. Hell, half the 80s sucks. 60s and 70s bltches.[/COLOR]
It matters depending on the person's idealistic views. To you and me, perhaps not. The reason I made this thread was to see what others thought in comparison to my own. Thanks for posting though.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Swerve - 2010-03-04
Businesses invest in setting up foreign markets because they see future profit. Commercial businesses recognize that their success is determined by consumers. In India, McDonald's has tailored the Big Mac into the Chicken Maharaja Mac which is composed of chicken and lamb meat instead of beef. In Germany, McDonald's beer is frequently served to customers as a drink. In Hong Kong buns are replaced with rice. If your businesses is contingent upon customers, then it is business rationale to provide familiar products to attract more customers. Another reason why McDonald's culturally tailors their products is because it is easier to use indigenous goods like rice and fish rather than having to pay for shipment of potatoes and bread from the United States. Even though McDonald's still attracts customers with it's bright signature colors, it may been an entirely different experience when it comes to the menu for each country.
Food has remarkable cultural importance. Baguettes (France) and Focaccia bread (Italy) have different taste due to native flour and different baking styles. However other goods do not have such strong cultural connotations due to regulative practices. For most of my childhood I used to play a cheap Yamaha piano. Even though the company is a Japanese power-house producing everything and anything from motorcycles to sports equipment, there was no reflection of culture in the product. No matter where your piano is from, each key is tuned to a specific frequency that emits a sound when struck. In objective terms, businesses sell goods and products. The cultural attitude or the impression that we develop is how we personally relate to released goods. After breaking down the Yamaha, I moved on to a Steinway. To be honest it still played the same piece of music in the way I wanted it to be played (the Steinway was slightly better. We paid a lot more for it).
I think that when you look at globalization, it is important to see both sides of the coin. It is true that foreign trade could possibly lead to a world-wide monoculture. A world where somehow we have intermingled beliefs that are centered around a common ideology of capitalism. Culture has a major influence on our individual lives and our beliefs. Even though it is easy to lapse into negatives, it is important to realize that we have a rich diversity of choices in cars, food, and other products due to foreign interaction. The fact that I have to consider between getting a panini or having lo mein indicates that American society has been equally influenced by foreign businesses.
Even if you have the same businesses spread throughout every country, each nation has it's own set of laws and policies. In the United States, Wal-mart and other companies has had a major influence on the downsizing of U.S. pharmaceutical companies. According to U.S. law, when pharmaceutical companies produce a new drug, they are allowed to be sole distributors for a couple of years (patent). After their patent expires, any company can sell the drug they developed at a cheaper price. This has been a game of cat and mouse between pharmaceutical companies and big chain producers like Wal-mart. A pharmaceutical company will spend nearly a hundred billion dollars to develop hundreds of drugs only to finally produce a magic pill, run it by the FDA, have it patented, and then have eight years to make a justifiable profit before Wal-mart mass produces it. In the 1970s-1990s drug companies had robust research and development departments. But with new drugs being harder to find, pharmaceuticals have begun to shrink and less money is being put into research. With illnesses like the flu constantly evolving and research departments collapsing, it remains questionable how the law can affect certain businesses, as it affects society as consumers. Will Wall-mart ever have the same influence on the Chinese? The short answer is no.
Globalization is a macroscopic issue fraught with intricacies. I don't believe it's possible to shoot off one definitive answer. All I know is that the U.S. imports far more than it exports. An economic principle that mimes the belief that our nation is founded on the principles of immigration and ethnic diversity.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Nikkey - 2010-03-04
Kawasari Mimoto Wrote:Which is why McDonalds and other pizza stores opens up in other countries. But because of the fact this is becoming more widespread, does this ruin the value of diversity? Are other countries simply being culturally-dominated by America?I would like to say no. Even though we are more globalized today than before, people still keep their national dishes and traditions just like before. However, being able to have a taste of other cultures and traditions mean we are able to understand other cultures better, and hopefully this would yield to a better understanding of other people. (Not all Arabs are terrorists etc.)
Kawasari Mimoto Wrote:Okay, let's put this in another perspective. English. The English language is becoming like Latin now, people are starting to learn it from other countries. English is a relatively easy language to learn, and one of the easiest languages to be adapted into for business communication. Would this be considered as culture-domination? Ever notice how more people in the United States are starting to watch Japanese Animation now? Are we also being dominated by Japan's influences and cultures? Do you think other cultures and countries' values have changed because of this dominance?Historically, the way languages change haven't changed (I like to think about it as "language prime barely changes"). French, English, Norse and Old Germanic all took some words from each other and gave some back, making the language a complete "mess". This still happens today, but now with more languages involved: Japanese, Chinese, Spanish being some of them. If it's a bad thing? Not really, as being able to understand each other is a good thing. We don't automatically lose our culture or history even though we say "basic" instead of "enkelt" in a sentence, though it looks like. It's just a language that evolves.
There are some things I would like to point out however. The English language is not going to be like Latin for a long, long time. Latin is a dead language: Nobody talks Latin as mother tongue or first language. English is also not that easy to learn, even though some Americans may think it is (Oh, I really hope noone's going to kill me for saying that). Sure thing, it's not hard, but it's not easy either. The main reason English is the "world language" is because of business, and how important it is to be able to communicate with others in order to earn money.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Jellyflower - 2010-03-04
I don't think it's just cultural dominance, it's more like the wealthy will always have a way with they do can do and control. Corporate giants may go out of their way to force rivals out of the competition to maintain monopoly. Even though there are several laws to protect such practice to protect the well balance of consumers and firms. But back to your point, I will agree to your topic statement, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. Imagine diversity all over the place, with no common way of communication and appreciation of other cultures. It'll just bring segregation and you'll have a lot more conflicts. Maintaining a balance in between is ideal, but of course, that's up for subjectivity. I wouldn't say it's ruining; discouraging practice of diversity is a better term since people still have the right to withhold their own lifestyle and culture.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Russt - 2010-03-04
As different cultures interact with and influence each other, they become less distinguishable from each other than before, but they each become more diverse within. So I would say that globalization actually increases diversity. I don't understand what you mean by "value of diversity" though.
For stereotypical example of what I mean, in the past you might've been able to eat a hamburger in America or sushi in Japan. Now you can eat both sushi and a hamburger in either America or Japan.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Kawasari Mimoto - 2010-03-04
Lucida Wrote:As different cultures interact with and influence each other, they become less distinguishable from each other than before, but they each become more diverse within. So I would say that globalization actually increases diversity. I don't understand what you mean by "value of diversity" though.
For stereotypical example of what I mean, in the past you might've been able to eat a hamburger in America or sushi in Japan. Now you can eat both sushi and a hamburger in either America or Japan.
I disagree. Because this change, although not forced-upon people, some people will intake this as a cultural-shock, and will rebel against it. I think this also encourages terrorism. To explain in detail:
Spoiler
This is even explained in books. I'll try to find quotes if I can. I read a couple in the past weeks or so.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Nikkey - 2010-03-04
Kawasari Mimoto Wrote:I disagree. Because this change, although not forced-upon people, some people will intake this as a cultural-shock, and will rebel against it. I think this also encourages terrorism. To explain in detail:
Spoiler
Sounds kind of like Nazism, fascism or racism, the way you describe it. Not wanting change is okay, as long you protest peacefully against the things that have changed.
Also, if this isn't forced upon, then it is an issue within the country, and not outside its borders: If the majority of the people doesn't like McDonald's, then almost noone would buy stuff there, and then either the McDonald's will go bankrupt or not be allowed within the borders of the country. Therefore, this shouldn't be a reason for terrorism. (Not logically, anyway)
Could you get some actual examples on this though? I would assume there are some, but I've not seen it anywhere.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Kawasari Mimoto - 2010-03-04
Devil's Sunrise Wrote:Sounds kind of like Nazism, fascism or racism, the way you describe it. Not wanting change is okay, as long you protest peacefully against the things that have changed.
Also, if this isn't forced upon, then it is an issue within the country, and not outside its borders: If the majority of the people doesn't like McDonald's, then almost noone would buy stuff there, and then either the McDonald's will go bankrupt or not be allowed within the borders of the country. Therefore, this shouldn't be a reason for terrorism. (Not logically, anyway)
Could you get some actual examples on this though? I would assume there are some, but I've not seen it anywhere.
Sure, once I crack open my book. Like I said, it was something I read, and I actually agreed with it. Because it's what I also think. There might be similar views if you Google too, but I'm not too positive on that..
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Dusk - 2010-03-04
MasPan Wrote:[color="#cc8899"]
With the exception of music. Modern music sucks. Period. 90% of "music" after the 80s sucks. Hell, half the 80s sucks. 60s and 70s bltches.[/COLOR]
boooo
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Greg - 2010-03-05
I don't see how having business locations across the globe is "cultural domination". How do American fast-food chains even relate to a country's culture? Swerve's post seems like the only one that makes sense, but everybody ignored it.
I wouldn't go nearly as far as saying that we're culturally dominating another country by plopping a McDonalds over there. That's called business.
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Milelke - 2010-03-05
Oooh, I think I know what you're getting at.
Globalization=/=Cultural Dominance
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - DrRusty - 2010-03-05
The world is turning into a type 1 civilization
if you dunno what that is, watch some michio kaku on youtube
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - xLeviathan - 2010-03-06
Milelke Wrote:Oooh, I think I know what you're getting at.
Globalization=/=Cultural Dominance
Damn, I was so about to say that.
Yeah, this isn't one culture dominating another. It's every culture melding together into a world culture due to the instant means of communication and rapid cross-globe transportation. It just so happens that America has one of the biggest influences for a number of reasons. Our sheer size and economic status (previously) and perhaps misled perspectives by other countries [I think] made people want to be like what they thought Americans were like...
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - Swerve - 2010-03-06
xLeviathan Wrote:Damn, I was so about to say that.
Yeah, this isn't one culture dominating another. It's every culture melding together into a world culture due to the instant means of communication and rapid cross-globe transportation. It just so happens that America has one of the biggest influences for a number of reasons. Our sheer size and economic status (previously) and perhaps misled perspectives by other countries [I think] made people want to be like what they thought Americans were like...
Ellipses...
Cultural dominance ruining diversity? - DrRusty - 2010-03-06
[video=youtube;vXqbi3kaYxg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXqbi3kaYxg[/video]
there ya go