Globalisation

Question 1

What is Globalisation?

Answer 1

The process by which regional economies, societies and cultures have become integrated through a global network of political ideas through communication, transportation and trade

Question 2

What is Cultural Pessimism?

Answer 2

Believe that a globalised mass media has had a negative impact upon culture

Question 3

Name 3 examples of cultural pessimism

Answer 3

Censorship Control in China: block social networking sites (facebook), censored internet content, maintaining Chinese culture by isolating them
Social Media Terrorism: nearly 90% of organised terrorism on the internet takes place via social media, messages spread, members recruited, intelligence gathered
Indian Story Telling: children find story telling silly/boring and would rather watch TV, whereas before it was a great part of Indian culture, culture/tradition/heritage is lost

Question 4

What is Cultural Optimism?

Answer 4

Think that globalisation has had a positive effect on culture - instead of one global culture dominating, the globalised mass media has encouraged a diversity of cultures around the world

Question 5

Name 3 examples of cultural optimism

Answer 5

Africa’s Mobile Phone Network: form of new media, helps displaced people reconnect with loved ones in refugee camps, Momaath on Nokia - uses social media to teach maths (10+ million active users)
Media Adaptation: local versions of western programmes often reflect local cultures (talent shows) - The Simpsons in the Middle East was unsuccessful due to it being too Americanised
Imported Media: ethnic minority groups often consume media programmes/products imported from their countries of origin when they are living elsewhere, e.g. Bollywood channels on Sky

Question 6

What do Postmodernists argue the role of globalised media is?

Answer 6

To provide us with a range of cultures from many places, so we now have more freedom to enjoy a diversity of ideas/experiences
Even though there is a tendency for media conglomerates to promote Western culture around the world, it is not so dominant that it swallows up local or indigenous cultures. Instead, local cultures often adapt by taking elements of this culture and mixing it with their own (Chinese version of Sesame street)

Question 7

What is a mass culture?

Answer 7

A culture created by large TNCs which mass produce cultural products aimed at a large audience, which are then distributed and promoted by the mass media. It is profit driven so often is bland and packaged in a repetitive way to reach the largest possible audience