EQ2- 3.6 Flashcards
Cultural diffusion definition
the spreading of a culture into another
Global culture definition
Describes a system of shared meaning. The culture of a place or a person is made up of lots of different parts including traditions, language, values, religion and leisure activities
Cultural diffusion as a threat?
Some communities see cultural diffusion as a threat if it means the loss of their own local culture such as the loss of tribal lifestyle in Papua New Guinea
Role of TNCs in cultural diffusion
Some communities see cultural diffusion as an opportunity because it can lead to increased FDI in their country through the relocation of TNCs.
It is an increasingly ‘Westernised’ culture that is spreading. For example, Disney and Netflix are global TNCs that spread aspects of American culture across the globe through their films and TV shows.
- Americanisation of cultures through TV, film, fast food, clothing, e-commerce and e-social
- Brands are introduced into many countries, perhaps with some cultural modification to product
- Culture based in TNC home country beliefs; if American or European this is likely to involve Christian morals or traditions
Tourism and cultural diffusion
When tourist visit a country, they expose that culture to their fashion, their food preferences and their way of life.
Migration and cultural diffusion
Migration causes cultural diffusion as people move to new parts of the world and take their language, customs and often their food with them.
Cultural diffusion is not just Western culture spreading. For example, the rise of Indian cuisine in the UK is an example of Indian culture spreading from migrants to the UK.
The impact of spreading Western culture on the environment (case study)
China’s changing eating habits:
In china, the middle class is growing rapidly. As people gain more disposable income, their diets are changing to increasingly match those of the Western world.
This means a huge increase in demand for meat and so has many environmental impacts. It is causing an increase in deforestation as trees are cleared to use for cattle ranches.
Beef and lamb are the most emission intensive food. This is because of the methane produced by the animals. By 2015, China had become the world’s biggest market for processed food.
The impact of spreading Western culture on people
The spread of Western culture means new opportunities for previously disadvantaged groups.
For example, the Paralympic movement. As a global culture of acceptance of people with disabilities spreads, these groups are getting new opportunities. This growing acceptance of people with disabilities was seen in the London 2012 Paralympics, which sold out- the first Paralympics games to do so.
Cultural erosion definition
Involves a culture being worn away or lost
Cultural erosion impacts
- Lost traditions: in some locations, cultural erosion is happening and this might be through the loss of language, traditional food, music, clothes or social relations.
- Damaged natural environment: cultural erosion has impacts on the natural environment. If people start to care less for their local ecosystems because of the rising demand for resources.
- Damaged built environment: cultural erosion has impacts on the built environment if the landscape of the country changes as more TNCs move into an area. As this happens and local culture is lost in exchange for a more Western culture, it is possible that the local ecosystem suffers as a result. People’s attitudes may change and they may start to de-value and increasingly exploit their local ecosystems.
Cultural diffusion lost traditions case study
Loss of tribal lifestyle in Papua New Guinea
Cultural erosion has resulted in the loss of the traditional way of life in Papua New Guinea. This is because people in traditional communities increasingly adopt Western ways of life.
There is a direct link between deforestation, disappearing habitats and loss of languages. People are generally moving to cities and stopping using their traditional languages.
There are an estimated 7,000 different cultural groups in Papua New Guinea. Most of them speak their own language. But a report in 2014 found that 1 in 4 of these languages was at risk of being lost forever. If traditional communities give up their traditional way of life to go and live in the cities, they stop speaking their local languages. These traditional communities are also giving up their traditional clothing as tourists introduced the Western t-shirt to these people.
Anti-globalisation arguments
- Poverty is created for those excluded from globalisation, while the rich get richer
- Inequalities are created when capital is put before people
- Rules are rigged in favour of ruling elites
- Rapid urbanisation may happen before countries are able to cope
- Economic change creates environmental risks
- Argue against the rise of a global culture and particularly dislike the tax avoidance tactics used by many global TNCs. E.g. Apple makes sure lots of their earnings are ‘recognised’ in Ireland, where they can pay tax rates as low as 0.005%
- Child labour has increased with globalisation
- Environmental damage
Pro-globalisation arguments
- Free markets and free trade provide wealth via job creation, reducing inequalities
- Given time, all countries will benefit greatly from globalisation in many ways, especially improving the quality of life for all
- Promotes democracy and freedom
- Increased wealth provides funding for protecting the natural environment
- External and local technologies can be learned and exchanged
