Globalization is interconnectedness, interdependence, a
meshing of cultures and identities, a loss of borders, and a flow of
information. In an age and time period where we are depending more and more on
each other for products and goods, globalization has changed the very manner in
which we communicate and interact with other states. Although globalization has
changed the world for the better, due to globalization, we have lost our
identity in a cultural mesh.
In his book How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely
Theory of Globalization, Franklin Foer uses the game of soccer to explain globalization
and its effect; in particular, its failures. One of the failures is the loss of
identity in society. He writes that Jewish people were once weak people that
did not have athletic abilities. However, in the push for soccer, Jews were
encouraged to go to the gym and become stronger (Foer, 2010). Foer uses the
term assimilation to reveal that the
Jews have, in one sense, forfeited their identity in order to be great soccer
players (Foer, 2010). They have lost their race and identity as the world
determines how they will live in it. He writes that as the team Hakoah began
winning matches, the “period of Jewish inferiority in physical activities had
come to an end” (Foer, 2010). It is evident that in joining the global sports
family, the Jews began losing their identity that they once embraced in an
attempt to be accepted by others. They began seeking after what methods to be recognized
by the global community.
Although globalization has brought
countries together, it has removed cultural diversity in our society. For
instance, consider India. In more recent years, America has been the driving
force for westernization throughout the world, changing and impacting the
Indian culture. The increase in fast foods, such as McDonalds and Popeye’s, has
reached as far as India, revealing a spread of diversity. In one sense, the
spread of fast foods has removed an importance towards traditional foods
(Deepa, 2014). In response, most Indians are likely to eat out rather than make
traditional food at home, revealing a loss in cultural identity.
Furthermore, although globalization
is one reason why India has grown politically and economically, it has caused
India to lose its culture as well. Many years ago, Indians practiced the caste
system and wore traditional clothing. Through globalization, these cultural practices
are being lost. Although I am not supportive of the caste system, globalization
has made it disappear. The emphasis of a classless society has encouraged
Indians to abolish the caste system, thereby removing a very crucial component
in the Hindu tradition (Sundaram, 2014). There has also been an increase in Western
clothing, such as jeans. The loss of cultural identity and the need to express
it in clothing reveals that India is losing its cultural identity by adopting
practices of the West. Westernization is modifying the culture of the East, thereby
making its culture disappear over time within the country and among the people.
Globalization has brought
positive and negative change to the world. Although it has brought
interdependence and communication across border, it has sacrificed the cultural
identity and diversity of many groups of people. We should learn how to adapt
to such changes. We should not be like Iran who refuses to accept the
traditions of the West because it corrupts their culture. Neither should we be
like India who has adopted these changes while sacrificing their own culture. Rather,
as we progress, we should learn how to balance the spread of cultures while
maintaining our own culture.
Work Cited
Foer,
Franklin (2010). How soccer explains the
world: An unlikely theory of globalization. New York, New York; HarperCollins
Publisher.
Kaushik,
Deepa (2014). Globalization and its impact on Indian culture. CareerRide.com.
Retrieved from http://careerride.com/view.aspx?id=15301.
Sundaram,
V. (2014). Impact of globalization on Indian culture. Boloji. Retrieved from http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=2458.
I agree with Thomas that globalization provides a lot of benefits, but it is at a cost. Globalization does in fact change cultural identities. The example of India developing American fast food chains is a good example of this. It takes away the importance the native foods have been integrated into the culture, ultimately altering in their identity. Additionally, I agree that we need to learn to balance the spread of cultures. This is difficult because nations are always trying to keep up with other nations as well as the times. However, this. could cause for nations to lose their cultural identity as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you say that balance might lead to a cultural loss. When people try to balance beliefs and traditions, people can somehow lose their cultural identity. For instance, eating Indian food one night, and eating out another night. By meshing cultures, we can hurt our very own culture.
DeleteHowever, I would say that it will not since it helps us acknowledge the practices of other cultures while appreciating our culture. The way to ensure that you don't lose your culture is on the individual. They must be willing to hold onto their identity even while understanding the cultures of others.
I completely agree with your entire argument that we need to focus on creating a balance in globalization. Without this balance not only would be lose the global interconnectedness throughout the world, but we would also lose traditional culture and ways of life that make certain countries so widely renowned. My one question is: how do you think we should create this balance between the two? In other words, how is a country like India supposed to strike this balance between tradition and westernization in this ever growing, connected world? Is it the responsibility of the singular country, or should we all be involved somehow?
ReplyDeleteIn order to create the balance, Indians should never forget who they are and where they have come from, and be proud of it.
DeleteI know many families that do not speak their traditional languages and do not practice the traditions and celebrations that is key to India. Why is that? Because, for the most part, they fear that the next generation will be belittled by others for their cultural identity. We should not fear the belittling because then, we lose out on who we are as an individual.
Furthermore, we should not shun ourselves away from the West. The West has made India more modern that what it was over 60 years ago when they received independence. We should enjoy the inventions, clothing's, foods, etc. of the West while remembering our identity.
I strongly believe that the responsibility will fall on the individual. If the individual is willing to uphold their culture, then they will find that balance. But it is also a role that all countries should play as a whole too so that the importance of cultural identity is stressed beyond the borders of one country.
This is an interesting blog post. We often hear only positive effects of globalization to help spread the global economy and create more peace with other nations. However, globalization of a nation can come at a great cost by reducing traditions and changing the normal order of a country. Therefore, I agree that a balance of globalization is crucial for any nation that becomes more globalized. It may be difficult to create such a balance because globalization can occur rather quickly in a nation. If such a balance could exist, how would a country be able to maintain it and enable its citizens to not allow them to abandon their traditions?
ReplyDeleteThe West has improved many of the countries in the East. It is through their inventions and their government structures that countries in the East have grown. However, we should not be ignorant to the fact that the West also changed the many traditional practices and beliefs on these countries. To strike that balance, it is important that we never forget who we are and where we came from. Many from the East tend to forget their origins and their ancestry. We should never forget this. Also, government should not shun themselves away from the traditions of the West, but accept it, always remembering that the traditions that were once upheld many years ago.
DeleteAs I stated above, it is on the individual that they should preserve their cultural identity. If they do not care about it, then what can honestly be done?