Globalization: An Argument on Cultural Impact and Transformation

This essay presents an argument supporting the view that globalization has negatively influenced cultures worldwide, leading to a loss of uniqueness and promoting cultural homogenization. It supports the claim that globalization has diminished the value of traveling to experience unique cultures. The essay references scholars who argue that globalization, particularly through Americanization, has eroded local cultural identities, leading to negative nationalism and hostility towards Western lifestyles. It highlights the increasing gap between cultures of developed and developing nations due to globalization and emphasizes the threat posed by extremist groups using technology to re-establish cultural uniqueness. The essay concludes that globalization has caused more harm than good, especially concerning the world's diverse cultures.

Running head: ARGUMENT ON GLOBALIZATION
ARGUMENT ON GLOBALIZATION
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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The paper aims to argue in favor of the two chosen points put forward by the student
regarding globalization. It will provide evidences to support the argument that globalization has
negatively influenced cultures across the world and caused them to lose their uniqueness.
Further, the paper will provide supporting arguments in favor of the statement, that globalization
has ruined the aspect of people traveling to different places to explore new and unique cultures.
Globalization phenomenon hit the world during the late 20th century and swept over all
facets of life. Amongst other things, globalization’s influence has been the most on culture.
Those who are not aware about this phenomenon must know that globalization is a phenomenon
where businesses and cultures of different nations interact with each other internationally (Steger
2017). Scholars however differ in their views about the influence of globalization especially on
the cultures of the world. A valid reason is there for the differing perspectives on globalization
that it did not have an equal effect on everyone. While one section of the world have immensely
benefitted from it, other section was deprived remarkably. As Rodrik (2011) points out, the
underdeveloped nations did not reap any benefits from globalization, as it was assumed. The
scholar states that the main reason behind its failure has been the absence of a neutral party that
could oversee or govern globalization.
Smith (2013) on the other hand, focuses on the bad effects of globalization on world
cultures. The author is of the view that globalization has destroyed the uniqueness associated
with different cultures by blurring the boundaries. When one looks at the status of the cultures in
the contemporary era, the author’s argument seems valid. Smith (2013) takes the argument
further stating that globalization has ‘Americanized’ almost all the cultures in the world. In fact,
globalization is nothing but Americanization of the world cultures. In almost all the countries,
one can see the presence of American lifestyle dominating local cultures through brands like

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McDonalds, Starbucks and so on. By 2010, around 200 countries had access to CNN, the news
network based in America that broadcasts news mostly about America and anything related to it.
A study found that in Canada, almost 90% of magazines sold are American. Greenfeld (2011)
notes that cultures that have refused or still refuse to accept globalization are considered
underdeveloped or needing improvement. These facts show that globalization has harmed the
local cultures by making them blend with other dominant cultures and losing their unique
identity. In the years prior to globalization, indigenous cultures were flourishing and needed
nothing to promote or advertise their culture. The proponents of globalization, who were mostly
from the developed nations created that need. They first created a situation where the unique
cultures were lured into believing that their culture was backward and not good for development.
Globalization homogenized the cultures of the world. Chiu and Cheng (2007) however support
the phenomenon and states, “Globalization promotes integration and the removal not only of
cultural barriers but many of the negative dimensions of culture; it is a vital step toward both a
more stable world and better lives for the people in it”. These facts also affirm the student’s point
that globalization is bad because it has harmed local cultures.
Further, the student’s arguments regarding the bad effects of globalization on local
cultures could be agreed upon by arguing that globalization has given rise to negative
nationalism. Due to fear of losing their uniqueness, many cultures have become hostile. The
hostility is mostly towards the Western lifestyle and ideologies. Kinnvall (2004) presents a
strong view on the rise of nationalism combined with religion as the result of globalization in
terms of economics, human affairs and politics. The author states, “One main response to such
insecurity is to seek reaffirmation of one’s self identity by drawing closer to any collective that is
perceived as being able to reduce insecurity and existential anxiety” (Kinnvall 2004). The worst

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effect of globalization giving rise to religious nationalism is glaringly evident from the growth of
terrorist organizations and terrorist attacks. In fact, even the fruits of globalization like
advancement in technology and its wide reach have become a threat. Extremist groups who
attempt to reestablish the uniqueness of their culture are willing to go to any extent to achieve it.
It has been observed that globalization has done more harm than good especially for the
cultures of the world. Globalization is bad because it has caused unique cultures of the world to
become monotonous and similar to the dominant culture. The ratio of the gap between cultures
of developed and developing nations was 2:1 before globalization. It rose to 20:1.2 after the
emergence of globalization.

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References:
Chiu, C.Y. and Cheng, S.Y., 2007. Toward a social psychology of culture and globalization:
Some social cognitive consequences of activating two cultures simultaneously. Social and
personality psychology compass, 1(1), pp.84-100.
Greenfeld, L., 2011. The Globalization of Nationalism and the Future of the Nation–
State. International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, 24(1-2), pp.5-9.
Kinnvall, C., 2004. Globalization and religious nationalism: Self, identity, and the search for
ontological security. Political psychology, 25(5), pp.741-767.
Rodrik, D., 2011. The globalization paradox. Northon and Company, Limited.
Smith, Iyall K. E. 2013. Sociology of globalization cultures, economies, and politics. Boulder,
Colo, Westview Press.
Steger, M.B., 2017. Globalization: A very short introduction(Vol. 86). Oxford University Press.