Free Essay

Is Globalization Americanization

In:

Submitted By summerr69
Words 475
Pages 2
Is Globalization Americanization?
How and when do cultural items become "glocal"—a hybrid of global and local?

Rabecca Summerlin
Beth Brand
EG462: Contemporary World Culture_V3.0
07/07/2013

The word “glocal” comes into play when a cultural item/s i.e McDonalds adapts to the community in the area hence, “global and local”. We, as people connect to others in our local area but them or even us move away and we continue to maintain our interpersonal relationships. This is what we would call “glocalization”. There are stores that you might find in one area of the U.S. but will not find them in any area or you might find a restaurant under one name in one area but under another name everywhere else. For example, St. Louis Bread Company was created in St. Louis, Missouri and has many locations under this name in this particular area. But in every other area in the U.S. and Canada this restaurant goes under the name Panera Bread Company and offers the same food at all areas. (Panera Bread Company Overview, 2013) Another example of glocalization, is where an Asian subsidiary of News Corp started broadcasting satellite television into India but for this T.V. station to really take off was to hire a person who was experience in Indian programming to create soap operas that would appeal to that cultural environment not the American soap operas dubbed in Hindi and they also took over the production of news and current affairs. (Johnson, 2007) Finally an example of “glocalization” is our music that we play on the radio or even MTV. Whether it is a different area of the U.S. or other countries the radio/TV stations adapt to that area and what the community wants to listen too. When you cross state lines or country borders you have to change your radio station because you listening to that local areas music taste. If you don’t like changing your music taste then get satellite radio piped into your car or wherever i.e. Sirrius satellite radio, etc. Sirrius tries to have every type of music available for their hopefully satisfied customers. Most companies are attempting to make their products “glocal” by tailoring their products to each demographic likes whether it is a McDonalds in India that does not sell beef or getting parts made in Japan for your car in the U.S. Some people can get frustrated when moving from one side of the U.S. to other side of the U.S. and not finding their favorite restaurant or clothing store in the area where they live.

Works Cited
Panera Bread Company Overview. (2013, June 25). Retrieved from http://www.panerabread.com/about/company/history.php
Johnson, J. (2007). Global Issues, Local Arguments (248-265 ed.). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Is Globalization Americanization?

...Many have argued that the U.S. popular culture is at the forefront of globalization, so much so that globalization can largely be viewed as the spread of American culture. Globalization by definition is generally used to describe the way the transportation, communication, technology, and cultural change have facilitated the movement of materials, goods, and ideas across continents and national borders (Johnson, p. 501). McDonald’s, for instance, is the largest fast food chain in the world that offers a wide range of products to its customers. Among them are hamburgers, milkshakes, coffee, and many more. However, in some countries, McDonald’s serve culturally different menus (Johnson, p. 269). For example, McDonald’s is offering rice in Hong Kong, and beer in Germany. After all, the majority of their outlets outside the United States are franchises. This illustrates the effect of McDonald’s on the global environment. Consider the following question: Does an item's history and origin make it inevitably American? According to Johnson (2014), some people examining the international music scene claim that cultural globalization has brought new possibilities of pleasing everyone. She continues to state that music critics say the American music industry is fueling healthy competition, encouraging musicians and performers to create more innovative mixed expressions of their own national cultures. Culture encompasses various aspects of communication, beliefs...

Words: 479 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Is Globalization Americanization?

...Iѕ Glоbalizatiоn Аmеriсanizatiоn? Contempory World Culture Iѕ Glоbalizatiоn Аmеriсanizatiоn? In thе еarly ninеtееnth Cеntury (1900’ѕ), “Аmеriсanizatiоn” rеfеrrеd tо thе mоvеmеnt whеrе rеfugееѕ wеrе dеvеlоpеd intо UЅ сitizеnѕ. Nоw, in соntеmpоrary’ѕ wоrld, thе tеrm haѕ a diѕtinсtivе, but ѕamе mеaning thе glоbalizatiоn by thе U.Ѕ. оf thе wоrld (Mеndiѕ, 2007). Тhе UЅ есоnоmy iѕ an еvеr-prеѕеnt fоrсе in thе wоrld nоwadayѕ. Pеpѕi adѕ nоw сluttеr thе ѕtrееtѕ оf еvеry largе сity in China, Big Maсѕ arе bеing оrdеrеd all оvеr thе whоlе wоrld, and thе tеrm “Аlwayѕ Cосa-Cоla” iѕ bеing muttеrеd by all оf Eurоpе, althоugh thеy havе nо nоtiоn what thе phraѕе mеanѕ. It iѕ my faith that Аmеriсanizatiоn prоvidеѕ оthеr соuntriеѕ a falѕе ѕеnѕе оf thе UЅ lifеѕtylе and, ultimatеly, сauѕеѕ hatrеd fоr thе Аmеriсan and thrеatѕ оn оur pоwеr and libеrty. (Kоvеn, 2010) Ovеr thе laѕt fеw dесadеѕ, UЅ сapitaliѕm haѕ quiсkly takеn оvеr thе whоlе wоrld. Nоt еvеn thе mоѕt ѕосialiѕt соuntriеѕ оf China and Ruѕѕia arе immunе tо thiѕ faѕt attaсk оf UЅ сulturе (Kоvеn, 2010). China’ѕ yоuth nоwadayѕ сan nоt оnly watсh Тhе X-Filеѕ, Baywatсh, and thе latеѕt mоviеѕ frоm Тоm Cruiѕе fоr amuѕеmеnt, but alѕо gо tо thе Аmеriсan Drеam Park, an еntеrtainmеnt park in Ѕhanghai whiсh dupliсatеѕ uѕual UЅ attraсtiоnѕ. Whеn thеy gеt ѕtarving, thе Chinеѕе сan еat at any оf 130 MсDоnald’ѕ rеѕtaurantѕ оr gеt takеоut frоm Bоѕtоn Chiсkеn and Dоminо’ѕ Pizza. Ruѕѕia, tоо, haѕ bееn having itѕ ѕharе оf UЅ сulturе. In ninеtееn-ninеty-ѕix...

Words: 801 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Americanization

...development. During the last decades, every culture has had dramatic changes at all levels such as food, clothes and even thoughts. All of those changes refer to globalization. However, with the passage of time, some cultures had more influent on others and it was obvious that some cultures began to impose themselves on others. One of those cultures is American culture and its impacts on other culture are called Americanization. In order to go deeper in Americanization and answer the bewildering question “have globalization turned to Americanization?”, must stand on the reasons and effects of Americanization. Before sailing in Americanization, let us give Americanization a brief definition. In “The Americanization of Canada” Moffett (1907) writes “Americanization is the influence of the United States on the popular culture, cuisine, technology, business practices, or political techniques of other countries. The term has been used since at least 1907”. In other words, Americanization is the imposition of American culture on the entire world at all fields. There is no dispute that the United State has a robust economy which makes its companies open branches in every part of the world. The spread of American companies in the world effects on each country culturally which is considered the main reason of Americanization. Moreover, U.S. media such as movies, TV shows and news channels have played a major role in spreading the American culture around the world. However, that would...

Words: 783 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Globalization, Mass Media and Culture

...Cultural Theory and Popular Culture Globalization, Mass Media and Culture Table of Contents Globalization, Mass Media and Culture 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Modern culture, ideology 4 Globalization 5 Americanization 6 Mass Media and their Impact 7 Globalization, mass media and culture 8 Mass media and globalization 9 Globalization and culture 10 Conclusion 12 My opinion 13 Recommendations 14 List of references 15 Introduction A term globalization was used in 1983 for the first time in a history. Globalization as we know it today started at the beginning of the 20th century. It has an impact on everything and it has changed everything from its core. Economic environment, political environment and regarding to this subject – cultural environment. As everything, it brought both advantages and disadvantages. Looking back in time when this globalization started intensifies rapidly. It evokes a basic question: why did the globalization intensify rapidly? We can consider many reasons, for example lower travel cost, free movement of people, development of technologies, faster data exchange etc. These answers lead me to another possible answer - mass media. Globalization, Americanization or westernization are closely related to the popular culture. As stated in the book ‘There are two things we can say with some confidence about the United States and popular culture. First, as Andrew Ross (1989) has pointed out, ‘popular culture...

Words: 4166 - Pages: 17

Free Essay

English0812

...Americanization Impact Less in the World With the development of economic and worldwide communication, globalization becomes a familiar word for people today. Some people address that globalization is Americanization because of forced influence from the United States. Whereas, a history professor, Richard Pells argues that “What we have in the 21st century is not a hegemonic American culture but multiple forms of art and entertainment-voices, images and ideas that can spring up anywhere and be disseminated all over the planet”(248). Pells believes cultures influence mutually instead of being impacted and dominated by Americanization. Also, culture can spread to the world through art, entertainment, and any other forms rather than only accept Americanization. Even though Americanization has significant effect in the world undeniably, the effect reduces recently. Pells also claims that “There is a sense overseas today that America’s culture exports are not as important, or as alluring, as they once today such as the cultural action is elsewhere- not so much in Manhattan or San Francisco but in Berlin and Mumbai.”(248). Americanization has less impact for other countries. Chinese audiences no longer go to theater to watch Hollywood movies as frequently as before. Also, individuals do not love American food blindly since local restaurants are rising up to compete with American food. In addition, Americanization is not only losing impact overseas, it is also invaded by foreign culture...

Words: 1643 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Ijnjnok

...Globalization ,Education and Japan Ikuo ISOZAKI(Dr. & Prof.) Chiba University,JAPAN Introduction The word “globalization” is the buzzword of the moment. Similar to the word “democracy”, it could be one of those words that become more ambiguous in meaning as they are more widely used. Globalization, however, is not too difficult a word to understand when we interpret it as a phenomenon where goods, people, information and services are now more easily coming together over national boundaries. Behind globalization, no doubt, is rapid technological innovation. The idea is that globalization is dramatically making our globe smaller, our spectrum wider and our various networks larger. Some people argue that there are downfalls however, including flooding information and heightening psychological insecurity from various types of inequality. We are required to face globalization while fully understanding the positives and negatives of globalization. Globalization is likely impacting not only on how economies work, but also on what a state actually is. For example, some experts maintain that the function of a state is diminished by globalization and forced to focus efforts on localization and regionalization. I would like to examine from various aspects how globalization influences states,and public policies, especially on the educational policy by taking Japan as an example...

Words: 4654 - Pages: 19

Free Essay

Mcdonaldization

...small affects of globalization in life. Globalization integrates economy and cultures of different regions of the world through trading, telecommunication, technology, human migration, and capital flows. Incentive of the integration may be economic, political, cultural, technological or humanitarian. George Ritzer’s invented term, McDonaldization, is a subset of the globalization phenomenon. Ritzer compares globalization with characteristic of a fast-food restaurant. The characteristic includes measuring efficiency by pace of serving customers, which means the fastest worker is the efficient one; getting a large amount of food in a very low price; receiving constant and predictable service from distinctively similar workers. Ritzer believes the fast-food characteristic is dominating different sectors of American society and the entire world. In fact, this is the irresistible effect of globalization. The phenomenon, which Ritzer calls McDonaldization, is neither new nor destructive; it is just how firms coexist in free comparative market. Accepting globalization instead of resisting it, would help to promote global prosperity. Educating different aspects and strength points of globalization and its impacts on economy, culture and politic would ease the acceptance. Globalization impacts the world economy with diverse effects. Roger A. Arnold, in his book Economics states that many economists define the phenomenon of globalization in two ways; first, globalization is the reason...

Words: 2005 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Globalisation

...is it good for society? This essay explores the concept of globalisation and whether it is beneficial to society. The essay will consist of the introduction, conclusion and three sections. Section one will define the main terms. Section two will explore the advantages of globalisation and section three considers the criticisms of globalisation. The main thrust is presented, as globalisation is good for society even though it does have some significant and dire consequences. This section looks to explore what globalisation is and define the main terms within the question. Globalisation is an abstract and complex idea; therefore it is difficult to have one general definition of the term. For some people globalisation refers to Americanization whereas to others it refers to integration of the world’s economies into one central global economy. (Pavcnik N. , 2011)The Oxford Dictionary defines it as ‘the process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.’ (Dictionary, 2012)There are however various factors, which are influenced by globalisation and each of these would provide different definitions of globalisation. These factors are political, economic, social, cultural and technological factors all of which help establish links between nations. (Webster, 2009)Furthermore it is also difficult to categorise the globe as one general society. Each society differs from one another, for example a society...

Words: 1990 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

How Globalization Effects France

...This is contributed to globalization; which for our purposes is defined as the increasing speed and ease that capital, services, goods, technologies, people, information, cultures, and ideas cross borders at. This paper will be analysing the effects of globalization on many aspects of France. Historically, France has opposed globalization and this disdain started gaining ground during the early 1990s as Europe was becoming integrated. The French feared globalization because they wanted to preserve their own rich culture, and because they saw globalization as another form of americanization and wanted no part of that. An example of this would be in 1999 when “a forty-six-year-old sheep farmer named José Bové was arrested for dismantling the construction site of a new McDonald’s restaurant in the southern French town of Millau. He acted, he argued, in protest against U.S. retaliatory trade sanctions against European products (notably, French cheese) and the uncontrolled spread of free market globalization. By attacking McDonald’s, and getting himself photographed in handcuffs in the process, the publicity conscious Bové was striking out at the symbol of U.S.-inspired globalization, a perceived threat to French identity and culinary traditions” (Gordon, 1). José Bové tried to stand up against a global corporation who was eating away at french culture, his ideals struck a chord and he became famous quickly, symbolizing the part of france that resisted globalization. Surveys done of public...

Words: 2379 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Globalization

...Aklesiya Dejene Prof. Mahoney GLB 111 01 Exam paper Globalization has a lot of impact on the global culture. There are three basic hypotheses. The first one is: Homogenization or Americanization; this can be described as how the world is becoming more and more similar. IF you go to Europe, Asia, Africa, soon you can find the same things being used like technology made in different part of the world is used almost everywhere for example, cellphones, computers, TVs, Radio, etc. Americanization on the other hand means that the world is more becoming like America, if you go to others parts of the world you will find American food chains like McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, etc. You can find American music, movies, and entertainment in general. This raises the question that is the world culture becoming more like American’s. The second one is Polarization or Clash of civilization; it’s been a long of time since the disagreement of Christians and Muslims started. This an example of the impact of globalization, when people travel from one place to another place they start to learn about different religions and they will start to convert to those religions and they will want to build a place for worship; so if that country used to be dominantly one religion there will be a conflict between those two religion about who the land belongs to. Polarization on the other hand means if two countries don’t want other cultures to influence and change the way they do things...

Words: 449 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Americanization in Canada

...Andre Henry Prof. Guillaume Teasdale 02-43-244-01 Tues Mar 31, 2015 Americanization in Canada Americanization is the influence of the United States on the culture of another country. The influence extends on another countries cuisine, popular culture, technology, political techniques and business practices. Americanization refers to a process of acculturation by populations to American values and cultures. Canada and the United States are allies and trading partners (Gravelle 135). The two countries share a rich history of cooperation with each other. Cooperation between the two nation has been promoted by the fact that the two countries are neighbors. Canada began developing relationships with the United States after the Canadian confederation. The nation began their reliance on the United States for their national defense. Many Canadians believe that the country’s economic, political and military dependence on the United States would not make a difference in their day to day life activities. The Americans have influence more than the Canadian culture. Aspects in relation to media, economic dependence, American propaganda, artists and political pressure from the United States have made Canada too Americanized. The factors that make Canada too Americanized reflect mainly on the social life witnessed among many Canadians. They are viewed as risk hazards because they threaten the traditions and heritage that define the nation as an independent country. The US and...

Words: 2414 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Teacher

...Globalization Worksheet 1 Globalization and You p. 1 Worksheet 1 Globalization and You Students study the Powerpoint file on “Globalization and You”, and then answer the questions below. Brand names 1. Do you know what 2. Have you ever 3. Where did you kind of products used these use such or services the products or products/services brand names services? If yes, ? provide? how many products or services have you used? Please give a in the boxes below. Disney Theme parks, movies, stationery, etc. Amazon Book purchase, etc. Microsoft Software, etc. McDonald’s Food, drinks, toys, etc. Going on the Internet, Yahoo searching for information, etc. Intel Computers, etc. Globalization Worksheet 1 Globalization and You p. 2 Brand names 1. Do you know what kind of products or services the brand names provide? 2. Have you ever used these products or services? If yes, how many products or services have you used? Please give a in the boxes below. 3. Where did you use such products/services ? Sony Stereos, T.V., computers, etc. HSBC Banking services, etc. CNN News information, etc. Coca Cola Drinks, products with company logos, etc. Nokia Mobile phones, etc. Nike Sports goods, sneakers, sports wear, etc. Levi’s Jeans, etc. Globalization Worksheet 1 Globalization and You p. 3 Brand names 1. Do you know what kind of products or services the brand...

Words: 1574 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Globalisation

...Globalization Name: Institutional affiliations: This paper focuses on highlighting how the processes of globalization have changed the experiences of growing up and being educated in for the adolescent children aged 12 to 15 in Australia. Globalization is the process by which organizations and businesses establish international relations through the exchange of world business views and ideas, culture and products with other nations of the world. These businesses and organizations then start to operate and trade on an international scale. Globalization can be attributed to advances in the industrial sector, changes in the transportation and telecommunication systems, infrastructural changes, and the rise in the internet culture and development. The interplay of these forces in politics, religion and economies influence the economic trends of each country. Some of the social effects of globalization to the world economy include: poverty reduction due to increase in the wages and employment rate in the participative developing countries, improved healthcare provision due to the registered decline in the maternal and infant mortality rates, the provision of better educational standards, in line with the global millennium developmental goals. However globalization has also been viewed as a key in increasing the unemployment rates in the third world countries due to massive sacking of workers, high poverty rates and low income generation among the working...

Words: 3707 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

International Management

...planning. Globalisation General concept of globalization - business expand from developed to emerging countries and their economies, 'compete with everyone from everywhere for everything (Sirkin et al.) Now "the world is flat" - global competition is characterized by network sod international linkages that bind countries, institutions and people in an interdependent global economy. Economic integration help the lowering of trade barriers and facilitates trade between countries increasing the flow of goods and services, capital, resources, labour and technology around the world. "the invisible hand" of global competition is being propelled by the increasingly borderless world. Globality and Emerging Markets Globalization has narrowed differences in regional output growth rates, economic activities have increased mainly in China, India and Russia. Trade had grown by 133% (worth $54 trillion) in the last 15 years and is still growing. The 2007 FDI confidence index has shown China leading with 2.21, India with 2.09, USA with 1.86…. Fareed Zakaria (American Journalist specialized in international business) states that even though USA is a traditional industry leading in nanotechnology and biotechnology, it is declining and the "other" countries are picking up opportunities as their economic markets are growing because they provide growth markets for developed countries. Globalization is no longer synonym to Americanization due to the investment opportunities in other emerging...

Words: 466 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Globalization

...GLOBALİZATİON People around the globe are more connected to each other then ever before. Information and money flow more quickly than ever. Goods and services produced in one part of the world are increasingly available in all parts of the world. International travel is more frequent and international communication is commonplace. Globalization is an economic tidal wave that is sweeping over the world. It can’t be stopped, and there will be winners and losers. There are some disadvantages and advantages of globalization. The disadvantages of globalization 1. “The general complaint about globalization is that it has made the rich richer while making the non-rich poorer. 2. Multinational corporations are accused of social injustice, unfair working conditions as well as a lack of concern for the environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and ecological damage.  3.  Multinational corporations which were previously restricted to commercial activities are increasingly influencing political decisions. Many think there is a threat of corporations ruling the world because they are gaining power due to globalization. 4. Globalization makes it easier for rich companies to act with less accountability. They also claim that countries’ individual cultures are becoming overpowered by Americanization. 5. Some experts think that globalization is also leading to the incursion of communicable diseases. Deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS are being spread by travelers to the remotest corners...

Words: 590 - Pages: 3