So it’s become increasingly apparent in today’s society that globalisation has taken it’s toll. So what exactly is it? Well in simple terms, globalisation “refers to processes that increase world-wide exchanges of national and cultural resources.” (thanks Wikipedia) and it is essentially everywhere. Literally everything we own, wear and use has been shaped and influenced by another country. As said in Michael O’Shaughnessy and Jane Sadler’s book Media and Society, “it effectively bridges time and space, offering instant access to distant information and events”. Seems pretty good …
If i took a moment to think about the technology i use daily to communicate with my family and friends, such as my iPhone and Facebook, without these global technologies i wouldn’t be able to do simple tasks such as emailing my agent or texting my mum. Without the influence globalisation has on the ways in which we connect and share with each other, communication would just not be possible. I would not have access to my favourite international brands of clothing or even magazines which enjoy everyday.
And whilst this all seems fine and dandy, there are both positive and negative aspects of this global phenomenon.
Firstly, the expanding range of communication technologies such as smartphones and the internet continue to connect their users all over the world, allowing instantaneous communication from anywhere at anytime. Globalisation also connects nations through trade, tourism and the economy, thus sharing different cultures and wealth which overall boosts the global economy and also creates interdependence between global powers, ultimately allowing access to global ideas, sources and people.
Yet with the spread of international cultures, it can be argued that a country may be so influenced by other cultures, that it essentially experiences a loss of culture because of the vast majority of global influences, in particular that of America and thus develop a strong dependence no Western cultures. It also has been a major factor in the mass production of global products, ultimately resulting in the gap between the global rich and poor to be greater than desired. As mentioned earlier, the idea of the internet connecting us globally can also be a detriment to those who don’t have access to it, or simply can’t afford it, thus creating a social exclusion amongst the wealthy and poorer members of society.
So to me, whilst globalisation has its ups and downs, it still has such a strong positive influence on my life that i am surely grateful for it 🙂 And i think it’s important that we as individuals promote positive uses of the internet and experiencing different cultures in order to create a healthy image of globalisation.
Aiyana Levin 