THE EFFECTS SPECTRUM OF GLOBALIZATION 1 The Effects Spectrum of Globalization TAKADA, Tamaki HELP 442W Academic Writing 2 Spring II, 2013
THE EFFECTS SPECTRUM OF GLOBALIZATION 2 Yo-yo Ma, one of the most eminent cellists of the contemporary classical music, writes about his art project the Silk Road Project in his article Paths of Globalization from the Berbers to Bach as that, (The interaction of the ensemble was) not unlike the ecological term edge effect, which is used to describe what happens when two different ecosystems meet (2008). According to a paper about globalization and international market reported by The Levin Institute, we should stop to think about, One of the principal concerns, with regard to globalization, which, leads to homogenization of the world culture, when different cultures converge in one spot (n.d.). Nevertheless, could we really dominate all societies for a homogenized world? The homogenization resulting from globalization doesn t mean a real mono-cultural world. When traditions encounter the waves of globalization, the reactions are categorized into pieces of a changing spectrum. This spectrum refers to a series of outcomes after that a culture faces a different culture usually it influences emotional attitudes towards to the new culture like unacceptable, partially acceptable, or desirable and, I enumerate four outcomes in four areas of the spectrum
THE EFFECTS SPECTRUM OF GLOBALIZATION 3 in order to explain how the reactions are different according to the tolerance for new things. Hastings, Thiel, and Thomas contributed the article The Deadly Noodle to Newsweek about the causal link between the consumption of American-styled junk food and the global obesity crisis. In this article, they refer Derek Yach, an authority of WHO, to name the urging problem of the obesity trends among Samoan and Fijian as, (T)he Coca- Colafication of the Pacific islands. They argue that the problem resulted from the high-calorie foods and drinks overwhelming the Fijian s dinning table that had used to be filled with local-made fruits and vegetables (2003). It is fair to say that Samoan and Fijian surprisingly tolerate these foods and drinks, which can be classified as the most homogenized effect in the changing spectrum. The people of this category usually accept new habit, or willing to change their routine to another one without taking into account how people s lifestyle change afterwards. The second is about a relatively homogenized effect. In an argument from Globalization and Local Culture about the threatening affect of international trades on indigenous cultures, the China s attitude towards to McDonald s is described as the Americanization, which consists of two changes: Changing the foods variety and changing the
THE EFFECTS SPECTRUM OF GLOBALIZATION 4 social roles of the people affected by them. The argument is also extended that McDonald s, which had earned its social recognition as one of the most affordable and western food chains in China, succeeded to set up kid s birthday as a new routine celebration (n.d.). Whereas the paper states that China was controlled to build a new tradition by McDonald s, Guenette, sociology instructor at Rochester Community and Technical College, writes that China was just given a chance to realize their desires. Each Chinese child is adored and funded by not only parents, but also second and third older generations, because each family is allowed to have only one child per a couple. Moreover, they believe that getting used to the western culture American-styled restaurant like McDonald s, which is as much affordable as having them to study abroad is essential for child s promising future. As a result, the expectation from older generations to child s successful life was amalgamated by McDonald s marketing strategy (2008). What the importance in this case is that China didn t break with any traditions but utilized the resource along their natural reasoning. In the next case, on contrary, the effect of homogenization may entail struggles like an identity crisis. According to The Levin Institute, most Italians hold a truth about the coffee that makes them livelier, which is why they are likely to spend the time to communicate with others with
THE EFFECTS SPECTRUM OF GLOBALIZATION 5 drinking coffee in a bar in addition to sipping the coffee. On the other hand, American people just drink coffee, and they haven t sophisticated the meaning of the drinking habit. With this in mind, the U.S.-made coffee company, Starbucks may confuse Italians cultural identity (n.d.). Howard Shultz, who is chairman, president and CEO of Starbucks, appears in the company s website with biographies as follows; In 1983, Howard traveled to Italy and was captivated by Italian coffee bars and the romance of the coffee experience. He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition back to Seattle, creating a third place between work and home. - (Starbucks.com, 2013). As they notes, their products are well-known as Italy-inspired coffee, which have the global reach that can influence a quite number of its customers to presume that they drank Italian coffee. While Italians recognize Starbucks as inaccurate Italian culture, they don t boycott these products. This Italy s position seems to be intolerable but still remaining a little space to change to the homogenization.
THE EFFECTS SPECTRUM OF GLOBALIZATION 6 Finally, the least homogenized effect is seen in Germany society. Ma elaborates his idea about reconciling two different cultures in a city that Germanys sought the best way for both group of Turkish immigrants community and German community, which is that each of them started to recognize their own culture as well as the other s culture (2008). By reviewing and following the frame of the tradition, they maintain the mental health. From these reasons, the homogenization, which is often regarded as a simple result from the globalization, entails a variety of effects of the cultural transforming. As every tradition will choose their attitude toward to the waves of the globalization in terms of time, case, and degree, every person will choose his or her standing point between tradition and change in this overwhelming globalization era.
THE EFFECTS SPECTRUM OF GLOBALIZATION 7 References Guenette, L., 2008, The McDonaldization of China, National Committee on United States - China Relations, http://www.ncuscr.org/files/ Guenette_1.pdf Hastings, M. Thiel, S. and Thomas, D. (2003). The Deadly Noodle. Newsweek, Vol. 141, Issue 3 n.d. (2003). Globalization and Local Culture. The Levin Institute, The State University of New York. Sourcework. P.179-180 MA, Y. Y. (2008). Paths of Globalization: From the Berbers to Bach. New Perspectives Quarterly, 25(2), 19-21.