Theories of Global Culture

THEORIES OF GLOBAL CULTURE

        There is much disagreement on the meaning of globalization and also about when does the phenomenon of globalization begin. In this chapter, Robinson has focused on how the different theories of globalization have been developed to explain twenty-first century social change. One of the most important consequence of this social change is that more and more people are now involved with more than one culture. That is why I would like to talk about William I. Robinson’s theories of global culture. We see in this chapter how Robinson differentiates between homogenization theories, heterogeneity approaches and also post-colonial theories.

        Robinson refers to globalization as a process and globalization as a condition. If we think more in terms of process it might be easier to refer to the globalization of culture. Cultural globalization refers to the transmissions of beliefs, styles, values and symbols around the world. During the explanation Robin shows how culture has become a globally contested issue. He emphasizes culture as one of the primary dimensions influencing global transformation.

        It is important to highlight Robertson's globalization theory that focuses inordinately on culture though he does not discount the economic or the political. Should be mention that Robertson understands globalization as "the compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole" 

However, while defining globalization Robertson point out that global unicity does not mean that the world is moving toward as a single, socio-cultural place. A globalizing world according to Robertson is one of considerable social and cultural tensions.

        Ritzer uses McDonald's as a metaphor for the society. The popularity of the restaurant itself is a perfect example of rationalization because traditional, home-cooked family meals have been replaced with meals of practicality and convenience. 

        Appadurai’s theorie explains the cultural flows that create a tension between cultural homogeneity and heterogeneity. He argues that globalization has led to a proliferation of local hatreds and genocidal impulses. He rejects the standard argument that ethnic and religious identities emerge in reaction to globalization, to defend local sites. Rather, he argues that the same processes producing global power also produce these kinds of effects.

        I totally agree with Robinson in the idea that culture is one of the primary dimensions influencing global transformation. In my view, without the cultural dimension it is impossible to make sense of a modern world. It is obvious that a global culture has emerged in this world, one that seems to be connecting us all under one major order. Society consists of an intricate web of multiple relations between individuals who are in constant interaction with one another.

         I believe that one of the main cause that has led to a unifying and homogenizing of a global culture in our world today is the increase in technological advances. Therefore, mass communication is one of the greatest contributors to this global melting of cultures. Internet has helped global culture to let people stay connected independently from time and space.

        For several decades, it has been accepted that there is a single global economic system. That, too, is part of culture.  For that reason I believe that culture is undoubtedly being one of the major issues of sustainability, development and governance in the twenty-first century. Global culture is generally looked upon as positive because nothing is lost. Seen from this light, cultural integration is a healthy intermingling of the beliefs and rituals of two unique cultures.