Topic 3- The Mass Media, Globalisation and Popular Culture Flashcards
what are the 3 ways recognised by crothers that the media promotes globalisation
- relationships- traditional’ societies are now exposed to modern technologies such as mobile phones and ‘modern’ ideas such as democracy, equality and tolerance for others.
- linked in new ways of production of goods
- global events have become local events
what does Bell say about globalisation and the media?
- Bell notes that no global media has matched Twitter’s speed and geographic reach in reporting and spreading events.
- Increased exposure to global media influences how people form and reform their ideas and identities.
- Social networks like Twitter and Facebook can empower individuals in repressive societies to express dissent and push for change, with users worldwide actively shaping their identities online.
what has globalisation meant for transmitting information in the world?
- transmitted 24 hours a day to all global destinations
what have the globalisation of media outlets and products been assisted by?
- the economic growth of transnational media and cyber corporations such as News Corp, Apple and Microsoft.
- Since the 1990s the ownership of the world’s media companies has become increasingly concentrated in the hands of a small number of transnational corporations.
what is popular culture?
- Culture that is commercially produced and includes objects, images, artefacts, literature and music of ordinary people e.g. films, TV, magazines.
what do cultural imperialists argue about globalisation and what it is creating?
- a global popular culture.
- The view that cultures around the world are losing their sense of individuality and instead becoming increasingly similar.
what is a global culture?
- global culture: people in different countries sharing the same norms/values/attitudes and products.
- Commentators have recognised the important contribution of the mass media to the cultural homogenization of society.
what is the postmodernist perspective on the effects of globalisation of pop culture?
- the rapid expansion in media technologies between 2005 and 2015 has led to postmodern societies becoming ‘media saturated’
- media and pop culture are more influential in the shaping of personal identity and lifestyle instead of traditional influences such as family, community, social class, gender, nation or ethnicity
why are post modernists and pluralists similar when talking about globalisation?
- It creates and allows greater choice in consumption patterns and lifestyles.
- It creates a greater awareness and allows access to a number of different cultures.
- It offers more opportunities for people to form their identity as it allows access to different cultures.
what are 2 evaluations of postmodernist views of globalisation?
- Critics argue that postmodernists overstate the impact of global media, as many people still view traditional factors like class, ethnicity, and religion as more influential in shaping their lives.
- Postmodernists overlook persistent inequalities—such as poverty and discrimination—which limit media access and continue to shape people’s experiences and opportunities.
what is the cultural imperialist approach to pop culture?
popular culture is an ideological product aimed at distracting poorer groups from the exploitation and inequality which is a feature of their everyday lives
what 3 things did marcuse recognise of the 3 ways of thinking and behaviour that audiences subscribe to?
- Commodity fetishism: The belief that popular culture products have special powers that improve the user’s life.
- False needs: Media convinces people to buy non-essential products by making them seem necessary for a modern lifestyle and identity.
- Conspicuous consumption: Media promotes certain branded products as status symbols, encouraging people to buy them to gain social approval.
what is an evaluation of cultural imperialism?
- Held et al argue that cultural exchange is not one-way; Western culture is also influenced by non-Western cultures through reverse cultural flows.
- This exchange leads to hybridisation, where global cultural elements are adapted or blended with local traditions to create new cultural forms.
- The cultural imperialism argument underestimates the resilience of local cultures, as people often integrate global influences without abandoning their own identities and traditions.
what is globalisation as americanisation?
- Global media enables Western nations, especially the USA, to spread their popular culture to less powerful countries.
- American culture is seen as universal, with global icons like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Levi’s symbolizing U.S. influence.
- Platforms like Facebook help transmit American values and lifestyles to a worldwide audience.
- A few powerful U.S. media corporations dominate global media, reinforcing American cultural imperialism.
what are 2 evaluations of americanisation?
- Putnam and Turkle argue that the rise of global media and social networks is leading people in the West to withdraw from real-life communities, replacing traditional social bonds with virtual interactions and online communities.
- Americanisation through global media is seen as threatening local cultures by promoting standardized, Westernized values that marginalize diversity and authenticity.
give 2 ways that the media IS creating a global popular culture
- Mass media, through global advertising campaigns promoting American products, has contributed to the spread of American culture, eroding indigenous cultures and imposing an American way of life.
- Advances in multimedia technology and digitization have created a global market for cultural products, enabling widespread distribution of items like books and music across the world.
give 2 reasons why the media is not creating a global popular culture
Flew argues that new media technologies like smartphones, YouTube, and social media empower users to create and share their own content, helping to resist cultural homogenization.
Storey argues that while American culture influences global cultures, it doesn’t lead to Americanization, as people actively adapt cultural products to fit their local contexts.
