Globalization essay

By
Sonia Pagenkopf

Globalization has driven out local traditions and cultures to make way for
American television, American music, food, clothes and films. We must find ways to
protect local cultures from the impacts of globalization.

The source has a negative perspective towards globalization. The author feels
that globalization is the same as Americanization and is having a negative impact
on cultures. The source feels that it is necessary to practice culture protectionism in
order to protect unique cultural identity. Globalization can be defined as the
increasingly connected and interdependent nature of the world. Someone who
belongs to a minority culture may agree with this source because they are being
impacted by Americanization, they may be losing their traditions and language. On
the other hand many people may oppose this source by arguing in favour of the
economic benefits of globalization. They may point out that they can get a greater
variety of goods at lower prices. This source is of importance because it is affecting
everyone and it will affect future generations as well. We should partially embrace
this source because Americanization is a huge part of globalization it helps move
forward certain aspects of life like technology, but gets rid of some cultures,
traditions, languages and religions.

Globalization is resulting in the loss of diverse languages. As of today there

are seven thousand languages in the world. Scientists estimate that at least half of
the worlds languages are endangered and many could vanish in the coming
decades or in the current century. In Canadas past we tried to assimilate
Aboriginals languages by putting Aboriginal kids into dormitory schools, and only
teaching them in English or French. This led to the Aboriginal languages becoming
endangered. Another way our world is losing diversity in languages is because of
homogenization. Homogenization is the erasing of differences. English being the
world's dominant language means more people are learning English instead of their
traditional languages causing their languages to become extinct. The English
language is one of the most dominant languages because of Americanization, this
causes the people to learn english to work for American companies. This
perspective in the source is correct because this shows the lose of language
diversity.

Americanization does have its benefits such as economic development which

is not recognized by the source. Due to outsourcing to third world countries, we
have created better jobs for some people in third world countries. Outsourcing is
when a company moves part of their business to other countries of the world. In the
Philippines there are a lot of clothing factories. Although people only get two dollars
an hour for their hard work, in North America we do not think that is enough money,
because of our labour laws. Some of the largest consuming countries have begun to
boycott the factories because people in those countries believe that it is not ethical.
What the people do not know is that having sweatshops are actually beneficial to
the country that the factory is in. The people that do work in the factories are very
happy with their wages. The United States is one of the more dominant countries in
globalization because they have many transnational companies all over the world.
Transnational companies are companies that work out of more than two countries.
For example McDonalds is a transnational company it works in Canada, the United
States and many more countries. It is also an American company. This does create
jobs, which is very beneficial. The source does not show this side of
Americanization, this is why we should not fully embrace this source.

Cultural revitalization is an effective means to protect cultures and traditions but

culture protection is not necessary. Culture protectionism can be a great way but
the law has to go through the government which can take a long time. Like
Quebecs bill 101 it did take a long time to process because everyone was not in
agreement. Aboriginals used culture revitalization to make sure that their traditions
did not become extinct. By having drum circles and POW wows, also by getting a
museum down by Cluny called Blackfoot crossing. Another way that the Aboriginals
revitalized their culture was by becoming a part of the Calgary stampede. In Quebec
we have the Bonhomme festival that helps the Frenchs identity. This shows that
culture revitalization is a great way instead of going through the long process of
parliament to have the law put into place. The world does not need culture
protectionism because culture revitalization is basically the same. They both have
the same objective which is to preserve the language that is endangered.

We should partially embrace this source because wherever globalization is

there is always going to be Americanization because they go together. We need
Americanization for some aspects of globalization like technology, which might
result in some languages, cultures and traditions would become extinct.

Globalization has a negative impact on diversity of languages. Americanization does

have benefits to the economy of many countries due to transnational companies
and outsourcing. Culture revitalization is better than having to go through
government to have cultural protectionism.