Globalisation Flashcards
What are some problems with defining globalisation?
Assumes it occurs everywhere at the same time
Leads to cultural homogenisation
Combines economic, political and cultural process
Suggests globalisation will result in postmodern characteristics such as individualism and choice, when actually some groups resist this.
Define digital revolution
There has been a shift from mechanical and electronic technology to digital technology. Referred to as two types of new media
- online newspapers and tv channels through satellite
- growth of computers, smart phones etc with a range of apps
124 mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people in the UK
Define global village
People create and maintain relationships with people online. McLuhan predicted a global village, where one world was interconnected and new patterns of communication were created. This means that “everybody lives in the utmost proximity” created by our electronic involvement in one another’s lives. Communities from across the globe become entwined in one another’s affairs.
Define cultural homogenisation
English is the most common language found on the internet and some argue has led to a process of cultural homogenisation where Western culture threatens to dominate other cultures. This can lead to a culture that is characterised by:
- capitalist ideology
- patriarchal ideology
- consumerism
- secular ideas
- increased individualism
Fairweather and Rogerson?
Occur that cultural homogenisation is occurring due to:
- computer software not being localised therefore Microsoft reflects western ways of thinking
- advertising by the west is broadcast on a global scale and therefore presents ideas on what is desirable
- Antisocial behaviour on the internet can reflect Western ideas about morality and deviance
Digital communication does not give rules or police morality and ethics
Define virtual communities
A virtual community refers to a social network of individuals who create an online community which may or may not reflect their lives offline.
Carter?
Cyber City Virtual Communities
- a virtual community with over 1 million users
- for many people, cyberspace is just another place to meet people with similar interests
- continue online friendships in their offline lives by meeting them in person
- increasingly invested in everyday lives
Boelstorff?
Second Life virtual community
- avatars can be anything, change your identity
- there is little regulation and you can commit crimes with no punishment
- police started monitoring after a character was raped in the virtual world
Define digital social networks
Social networks are becoming more online. Such as: friendship groups, work networks, family networks and networks linked to hobbies, interests or religion.
Define networked global society
Refers to the notion that enhanced communications between individuals in a post-industrial society. Argued that those with more access to the online world have greater social capital so can face greater rewards with regards to employability. Eg LinkedIn.
Castells?
Network Society
Claims that we are moving from an industrial age to an information age as we have shifted from a focus on oil, coal and gas to a focus on information.
Developments in technology have helped to remove issues such as space and time.
Social networks hold power and this can be a disadvantage as those without access may be excluded. People may feel increasingly lost in the information age, although others may embrace it at the expense of their moral grounding.
Information industries is work based solely on the exchange of information eg banking and advertising
Define media convergence (Boyle)
Previously separate forms of media can now be accessed through one device and a range of media can be accessed through one website
Social media profiles are also interlinked
Have been adopted to promote Western, capitalist ideas eg pursuit of profit.
Define social media
Any form of digitally based platform which have a global reach
Granovetter?
The strength of ties between people can be judged by examining: the amount of time spent together, the emotional intensity, level of intimacy and degree of recriprocity. People have strong ties with close friends and family but weak ties with aquaitances. Argues that weak ties are just as important as they lead to connection between members of networks.
Weak ties help to connect people who may not normally have commonalities and therefore helps to increase social networks. Removing weak ties can do more damage than removing strong ties.
Zhao?
The use of internet activities that involve helping people connect has positive effects on social ties which can help strengthen relationships. This is opposed to more individual activities eg surfing the internet which has a more negative impact.
Kraut et al?
Found that internet played a key role in helping to maintain and develop social ties with others. They did however find that online social ties are weaker than those offline which can have a negative effect
Feld?
People use social networks as a way of evaluating both themselves and others and stated that an individual’s identity is partly shaped by friendship networks that are created and maintained.
Shaw and Gant?
Studied whether social media/internet usage can affect users beneficially. Internet use was found to decrease lonliness, depression, while percieved social support and self-esteem increased.
Turkle?
Now people text during meetings, classes and funerals and this is having a negative effect. Describes the ‘Goldilocks effects’ where people can pick and chose parts of their lives they want to tune in to. We are ‘alone together’. This is posing a risk as it compromises our capacity for self reflection and have trouble when relating to ourselves and each other as we can hide away.
Miller?
Facebook has been instrumental in breaking up marriages
People are nervous and anxious about privacy and getting involved in social scandals
People lie online more than they do in real life
Goffman?
‘Presentation of self’
He analyses how individuals ‘perform’ in order to project a desirable image.
Uses the theatre analogy to describe front and back stage. When back stage no performance is necessary but when front stage a mask is worn, becoming a different version of themselves.
Virtual identities might be as real to users as non virtual identities
We create multiple roles and identities in everyday life
Goffman calls ‘impression management’ where people conceal certain aspects of their personality. Interestingly, most set their users to the western ideal beauty standard.
Ellison?
Suggests that individuals can adopt multiple online personalities. These choices tell us a lot about individuals and attitudes in wider society. These can sometimes influence people’s offline lives in negative and positive ways.
The Ofcom Report (2014) age identity
More UK adults are now going online 83%
There has been a 9% increase in those age 65+ online
2/3 of online adults say that they have a social media profile
Garside? age identity
The average 6 year old understands more about digital technology than a 45 year old adult. This is causing children to develop fundamentally different communication habits.
