The World is Flat - Globalization

A well known book titled "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman states that through the act of globalization the world is become a level playing field where every state has equal opportunity to partake in global trade and communication. One phenomena of this mark of globalization is the spread of American Cultural Imperialism. Western ways of life are being transcribed to overtake local cultures and bring about a more westernized or americanized way of living. One way this is occurring is through the film industry, Hollywood takes the cake in movie productions both in the United States and globally. Cultural Imperialism from the US shows western capitalism and consumerism and encourages the spending of money on western trends such as clothing or high density fashion,  it hides the clashes of classes from global audiences.

 

Paris TV Series, Paris 16

 

American Tv Series, 90210

Another way that globalization is facilitating americanization is through products such as food. The fast food industry, especially Mcdonalds is spreading all around the world. Though people may be changing some of the items on the menu to relate to their own religious beliefs or customs - such as not eating beef - the americanized franchise is becoming more and more popular in foreign nations.

Ronald Mcdonald India (prayer hands)

Ronald Mcdonald in America ( waiving hello)

One more way in which americanization is occurring through globalization is through outsourcing. The outsourcing of call centers to India is causes a depletion of traditional culture for Indian peoples. Though the job pays extremely well in India comparatively to pay received for the same work here in the United States, Indian people are unkowningly trading their cultural identities to income. Telecom specialists are under strict language policing, they must learn how to adapt a western accent and use it everyday for their calls. Also, there are long hour shifts involved, leaving barely anytime for cultural or religious practices necessary to maintain cultural identity. They are exposed to westernized products, ideas,  and technology depending upon what company they are selling for or maintaining over the phone. With more money in their pockets and a westernized idea of capitalism and consumerism on their mind, Indian people are letting go of home culture and accommodating to western ways of life.

 Indian Telecom Specialist

Americanization is just one of the many products of globalism, there may never be a homogneous culture, but it is sure that Westernized ideas and ways of life and transcending through the sharing of technology and communication more than ever before leading to a more American cultural imperialistic global market.


Bibliography:

http://www.wgains.com/Assets/WhitePapers/Outsourcing.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_Is_Flat

All images from google image search.