Globalisation refers to the idea homogenisation, ideas, cultures and institutions making the global community appear to be united, but Globalisation has its problems the integration of global tensions can cause tensions i.e.. Islam vs. the West. It can be argued that Globalisation was set up primarily for the spread of western culture and its ideology of liberalism. At the centre of this western domination, according to critics, is American society. Globalisation is Americanisation, and Americanism symbolises the good and the bad not only of Western culture, but the also the liberal philosophy that guides the whole operation. The questions are is how far does Homogenisation of western culture go?, How powerful is America in Westernisation compared to other western countries, and is westernisation a good thing?. Globalisation
Globalisation is a complex concept and therefore is rather difficult to precisely define, Globalisation refers to the emergence of countries across the world because of advances in technology, communication and transportation, these innovations are not effected by traditional barriers and boarders between countries that once kept states separate, leading, to what some believe to a flattering of the world. Globalisation can be put in to three sections, political, economic and cultural globalisation.Economic Globalisation
Western liberal economic values and the ideology of neoliberalism have been put into place all over the world as now virtually the whole world a free market economy. Richer countries, such as the USA can exert power over poorer countries by loaning or giving them money in exchange for power and resources.
Political Globalisation
The western political ideology of capitalism triumphed in the cold war after the fall of communism. Liberal democracy was the only option for some third world countries and because of its moral rights, particularly on its concentration on human rights made it easier to sell to other countries therefore making liberal democracy a universal ideal that and standard assessing of the worth and competence of all societies.
International Interdependence
The recognition of interdependence in the worlds societies is important when understanding Globalisation. The realisation that all countries in the world stand to lose by environmentally unsustainable modes of production made environmental sustainability a universal value. International relations have become more concerned with environmental issues and the management of a nations population and resources is now the concern of other nations, since mistreatment of the environment has serious consequences not only for the abuser of the environment but for all who occupy the global space.Communication and Technology
The reduction of barriers of space, time, national boundaries and sovereignty due to advancements communication and transportation technologies is another important feature of globalism. A prominent development in this respect is the introduction of the Internet, this has allowed humans to interact and communicate without restrictions of state. The fluidity of national boundaries has also encouraged mass migration, which has resulted in the emergence of global cities such as London, New York and Tokyo.
National Sovereignty
Globalisation often undermines sovereignty of nation states, this led to the abandoning of the value of self determination in states. The ability of the international community to not only influence political actors but sanction them has become a reality. For these reasons Globalisation is seen to encourage fragmentation.Globalisation tends to favour western views:
A reason why Globalisation tends to favour the west may be because of historical reasons because the west has had many centres to exert its dominance over other societies, but some critics go further and say that the West uses its power and influence through globalisation to drag other countries into their dominance and exploit them. Many people believe that Globalism mainly entails the spread of liberal capitalist values by the West, and to bring non Western societies into western culture to create a hegemony.Hegemony and Homogenisation
The forced adoption of western values on non western countries, Homogenisation has no negative effect on western societies compared to other societies, some the benefits of unification for western society will grow at the expense of other societies. The Homogenisation of western culture is widely caused by western media and literature, America spreads it influences through entertainment industries such as Hollywood, Disney and Marvel all which promote western values, before America was the most powerful western country English literature played a huge part in spreading western values with famous writers such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle.Americanisation
Ever since the end of the second world war America has arguably been the most powerful country in the modern world. Their was a period where the USA was competing for hegemony with the USSR, but America were the victors of the cold war and after it the were able to gain hegemonic status and exert their influence across the world. The shape of the world today has been highly affected by Americas wants and aspirations. America is a very diverse country and has links all across the world so its ambition to spread its ideology's through globalisation was to be expected. America may be seen as a representative of the west because even though it is not the founder of western culture (America didn't even exist when western culture started) it is the most powerful western state. As America became globalised, globalisation became Americanised.World Culture
Some believe that because of the free market exists in the international system it is American culture and the American version of the English language that is the closest thing we have to a world culture and scientists, professionals and business people of the world look to America to see where the world is headed to in the future. Others disagree with this and believe that it is impossible to have a world culture and America can only can only influence the world with ideas, values, symbols etc. and some believe that Americas power is to much and will one day backfire negatively affecting both America and other countries.American Hegemony and Philosophy
America has always been a highly pragmatic country and a strong desire to get things done. Key American thinkers such as William James, John Dewey and C.S. Pierce emphasize the importance of this kind of thinking in Americas growth. Their is a certain impatience in American Philosophy for ideas that are to remote for reality or a theoretical position that cannot generate immediate action. This American desire for immediacy reflects the entirety of American culture and the fact the the country's main aim is economic growth.Liberalism and Imperialism
Imperialism (a policy of extending a country's power and influence by colonization, use of military force or other means) seems to be part of the Western Liberalism agenda. American Liberalism is influenced by its western heritage. Americas political philosophy is presented in their constitution to include equality,liberty, human rights and popular sovereignty. Individualism, however, also heavily influences american liberalism. Individualism leads to ambition and because of this some argue is why america has formed a global hegemony. According to some individualism is manifested in four main ways: human rationality, human freemen, human responsibility and the ability to cooperate with other humans.
Globalisation and American liberalism
America has formed a Hegemony without outright colonization although they do hold a lot power over a lot of countries without having an empire, however this power and influence could be seen as a modern empire. Through the media and the triumph of liberal capitalism in the cold war America has managed to sell the idea of "the American dream". Through their high influence over international organisations such as the International monetary fund the USA is able to trap poorer countries into long term debt leading them dependent on the USA leaving America capable of exerting influence over them.
The legitimacy of Imperialism
The effect of certain polices on non-western countries has been devastating, apart from making an already bad situation worse, they have bought about social and political crisis's. The devaluation of western countries currencies led to them being exploited by transnational corporations controlled by the west. The new global order has led to a social crisis and wide spread instability in non western countries whereas in western countries it has bought economic development.Inequality
Globalisation is often seen as an american project that has deepened the differences in the world. Unification, which is seen to be the biggest achievement of the west, is seen by many as a negative one. The paradox is that the countries of the world may seem close in terms of access among one another , but they are in-fact extremely far apart from each other in terms of quality of life as the West is very affluent whereas many non western countries struggle with extreme poverty. Furthermore many believe that the wealth of the west is the reason for the dire situations of others. Globalisation therefore, rather then encouraging integration has in-fact done the opposite.
Trauma
Whether the process is called globalization or Americanization, it is argued the the scheme has bought much trauma upon poorer countries. Globalization may lead to a global crisis due to vast inequality and injustice of the american controlled world order. Some believe that liberal capitalism has polarized global society along the class lines, they believe that Liberal capitalism has polarized between the oppressive wealth of the North and the poor and oppressed countries of the South.
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