Globalisation: 2.6 - Eroding Culture

Question 1

Cultural diffusion

Answer 1

Gradual change and spreading of cultural traditions over an extended period of time

Spreads culture

Question 2

Cultural dilution

Answer 2

Gradual disappearance of cultural traditions over an extended period of time

Destroys culture

Question 3

We should let globalisation change culture (cultural dilution): adopting new practices

Answer 3

Adopting new practices like tourism and leaving behind old traditions like hunter gathering can be profitable e.g Dukha people in Mongolia using animal husbandry with reindeer for tourism

Traditional practices are still maintained, tourism relies on diversity

Question 4

We should let globalisation change culture (cultural dilution): isolated areas can benefit

Answer 4

TNCs can bring beneficial new products and services, e.g warm cabins and cars for the younger Dukha people

TNC investment can also make the location more accessible, making tourism easier

Question 5

We should not let globalisation change culture (cultural diffusion): environmental damage

Answer 5

Damage to niche cultures in a niche environment can be irreversible

Many environments are very fragile, e.g Taiga which has slow growth and decomposition, and 1 disease can wipe out the whole ecosystem (high homogeneity)

Question 6

We should not let globalisation change culture (cultural diffusion): leakage

Answer 6

Profits often leak back to TNCs, e.g Rio Tinto (British TNC) set up a mine in Papa New Guinea in 1964, majority of profit went to the TNC and not the public, contributing to conflicts in 1990