Globalization or Americanization?
Sunday, May 21, 2006
A few days ago, I found this extremely interesting article on the globalization of culture. This article discusses whether it really is globalization, or whether it is just the United States of America spreading and pushing its Wal-Mart and McDonalds, megastores and fast food chains, culture to the rest of the world.
http://www.globalpolicy.org/globaliz/cultural/2003/03american.htm
This article shows the way globalization works, in a sort of negative light, by following the well known American megastore, Wal-Mart. The article also introduces the idea of a McWorld, where the world is somewhat ruled by, you guessed it, McDonalds! However, it also admits that many McDonalds branches around the world have conformed to the local culture, selling items with ingredients unique to the area.
Besides that, the article also discusses the pros and cons of logos in advertising and branding around the world. As well as the spread of wealth and culture, and what globalization does to it all.
The best thing about the article, I felt, is that at the end of the whole article, there is a short section of what people can do about globalization, and where people can go from here. It concludes the article very nicely I think. Everyone should read this article! It's really quite informative, as well as thought provoking.
Your cultural expert,
Wendy.
