Reading Assignment 2:What is the relation between culture and globalization?

 What is the relation between culture and globalization?

（1） Summary

Globalization is not just a matter of politics, economic movements or the rise of trans-regional and large regions. Tomlinson believes that there is a multidimensional "globalization" in which the cultural dimension is an important area that needs to be studied separately.Tomlinson put forward the multi-dimensional view of globalization, because in the network of connections in the world he examined in his book "Cultural Globalization", he could not be in the past economic, political, military, social, technological , to find a suitable place for global culture in the interpretation of the environment. He believes that there is a multidimensional "globalization" in which the cultural dimension is an important area that needs to be studied separately.

Tomlinson's theory of cultural globalization starts with the relationship between culture and globalization, expounds the non-territorial expansion of global cultural development driven by modern media and communication technology, and describes a cosmopolitan cultural picture. Although Tomlinson denies that global culture ends with a single culture, he still emphasizes the cultural intention of cosmopolitanism, that is, the monolithic dominance and pluralistic coexistence of global cultural development. In fact, he still emphasizes the superiority and dominance of Western culture and its dominance over world culture. In this sense, non-Western cultures have to face the danger of assimilation and dissolution of national culture. World culture is a diversity of existence, and the development of cultural diversity is the value of world culture.

（2）Interesting point

In addition, I also read his book "Cultural Imperialism" together.

Tomlinson further believes that the development of culture is dynamic, and globalization has changed the concept of "cultural imperialism". "The discussion of 'cultural imperialism' in the 1960s had a specific context, when the United States, Europe, Asia and other regions were very different. After the Cold War, globalization changed this pattern. For example: in the 1960s, people would feel that China and The United States has completely different living habits, and China is a very different place. Due to the development of globalization, the differences around the world have become more and more blurred and complex. Use the original 'cultural imperialism' to explain today's The situation is very difficult. For example, things like McDonald's and Coca-Cola, mentioned in the 1960s, were very American, but today these things are very common for people in many places. Maybe 20 or 30 years ago, some The consumption of McDonald's and Coca-Cola by people in developing countries may be considered to be advocating the American way of life, but now they do not have this awareness, they are just consumption. Of course, such market operations like McDonald's are in the economic interests of the United States, but with 60 Compared to the era, the cultural meaning represented by these things is different. Although it is not fully localized.

I am deeply touched by this point he brought up. When I was very young, I still remember the first time my mother took me to McDonald's, and I was very happy. At that time, McDonald's was not very common in China. However, with the development of the national economy, the gap between countries is no longer as large as it was a few decades ago, but gradually reduced. Now Western-style fast food such as McDonald's is really just fast-food consumption, which is ordinary to ordinary daily consumption.

（3）Discussion point

Do you agree with Tomlinson's point of view in “Cultural Globalization”?Does a culture has to absorb the nourishment of other cultures in order to develop?

"McDonald's, Coca-Cola, these things, they were very American in the '60s, but today these things are commonplace for people in many places." Do you have similar examples?