Contemporary World

GLOBALIZATION THEORIES
WEEK 2

Pre-Assessment
1. Cultural Imperialism
Cultural imperialism refers most broadly to the exercise of domination in cultural
relationships in which the values, practices, and meanings of a powerful foreign culture are
imposed upon one or more native cultures.
2. Media Imperialism
Media imperialism is a theory based upon an over-concentration of mass media from
larger nations as a significant variable in negatively affecting smaller nations, in which the
national identity of smaller nations is lessened or lost due to media homogeneity inherent in
mass media from the larger countries.
3. Glocalization
Glocalization is a combination of the words "globalization" and "localization." The
term is used to describe a product or service that is developed and distributed globally but is
also adjusted to accommodate the user or consumer in a local market.
4. Deterritorialization
Deterritorialization is the process by which an ensemble of relationships, called a
territory, loses its current organization and context. The altered relationships then
reconstitute something else by becoming reterritorialized.
5. Catastrophic Collision
The interaction of cultures is deemed to contain the potential for “catastrophic
collision”. It also involves barriers that prevent flows that serve to make alike; Culture
tend to remain stubbornly different from one another.
Process Questions
1. What is good and bad effect of Homogeneity and heterogeneity? How and why?
Homogeneity is the quality or state of being all the same or all of the same kind. In
globalization, it refers to the reduction in cultural diversity through the popularization and
diffusion of a wide array of cultural symbols—not only physical objects but customs, ideas
and values. Heterogeneity is the quality or state of being diverse in character or content. In
globalization, it is generally used to describe a quality of cultural diversity, mostly as antidote
of the cultural convergence‐thesis, which proposes an increasing homogenization of culture
 through globalization. Despite of that, the convergence thesis advancing that globalization
favors homogenization of the world underestimates the global flows of goods, ideas and
individuals.
2. Do you believe that in our current situation we are the victims of cultural imperialism?
How and why?
Yes because cultural imperialism manifests itself mainly through media, especially
mainstream and mass media. Media is one of the most prominent and visible forms of global
communication. It is considered a core country and, partially, extends its dominance through
media flows. Moreover, cultural imperialism affects the daily lives of our modern world such
as language, activity and work.
3. Do you agree/disagree that global economic crisis is product of homogeneity in economic
globalization? How and why?
Yes because it is the reduction in cultural diversity through the popularization and
diffusion of a wide array of cultural symbols, not only physical objects but customs, ideas
and values and heterogeneity proposes an increasing homogenization of culture through
globalization.
4. In our current situation that we are affected by the “Cold War” between United States and
China? Which one do you choose Americanization or Chinesezation? Why or Why not?
The Second Cold War, also called Cold War II or the New Cold War, is a term
describing post-Cold-War era of political and military tensions between the United States and
China. For me, I think we are greatly affected by this war due to this countries are both
helping our nation and we are in between them. Further, the exchange of trades is affected in
supplying goods. If I could choose between the two, US have the strongest builded economy
but China has a great mind in turning up the tables.
5. Are you in favor to cultural imperialism? If yes/no, why?
Yes. Although cultural imperialism can have both positive and negative effects on global
communication, it can promote generally positive agendas, like equal rights, and improve the
quality of life for many people where successful.
6. Differentiate the following. 1) Cultural differentialism 2) Cultural hybridization 3)
Cultural Convergence
1. Cultural Differentialism involves barriers that prevent flows that serve to make
alike; Culture tend to remain stubbornly different from one another.  Cultural
hybridization is the mixing of cultures and the integration of the global and the
local leading to unique combinations.
2. Cultural hybridization is the process by which a cultural element blends into
another culture by modifying the element to fit cultural norms. It refers to the
mixing of Asian, African, American, European cultures: hybridization is the
making of global culture.
3. Cultural convergence is a trend where two cultures that interact a lot start to
appear more similar to each other. It is not new, but is a much more significant
phenomenon in the age of globalization.