When the term globalization is heard, I tend to immediately think of westernization and imperialism. These terms are related but not synonymous. Imperialism and westernization are backed up by the common idea that these terms mean modernization. Imperialism, westernization, and Americanization are about creating binaries; an Us versus Them which has a mother country taking control of and changing the cultures they have come into contact with. Globalization is about bringing the entire world together, not because of differences but because of the shared desire to expand knowledge. Daniel Lerner stated that “modern communications socialize people into wanting more out of life by extending their horizons”. [1] This modern communication comes from many different outlets including television, written word and the internet. Globalization is about bringing people together and having everyone’s voice heard and shared. Globalization and the media are taking into account “the experiences of countries outside the Anglo-American orbit.” [2]
The idea behind globalization is a noble one but due to limited resources some countries are left out. Norris states that the internet offers cheap and efficient services that could broaden and enhance communication in developing nations. [3] Information poverty comes from poorer countries not having the access to the internet or other forms of important media that help them keep connected with the rest of the world. This continues to widen the gap between the richer and poorer countries. Norris states that western governments need to lessen the information poverty gap so that “health, nutrition, and literacy” can be shared and experienced by all. [4]
1.) Curran, James and Myung-Jin Park. De-Westernizing Media Studies. London: Routledge, 2000. p. 4
2.) Curran, James and Myung-Jin Park. De-Westernizing Media Studies. London: Routledge, 2000. p. 11
3.) Norris, Pippa. "Information Poverty and the Wired World." The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics 5 (2000): p. 1.
4.) Norris, Pippa. "Information Poverty and the Wired World." The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics 5 (2000): p. 6.
Liza,
ReplyDeleteI like the distinction you make between Americanization, Westernization and Imperialism. I'm not sure, however, if globalization is about having everyone's voice heard and shared at the current time. Wherever there is unequal power, there will be voices that are never heard and there will be voices from the more powerful areas that will try to speak for those without the means to do so themselves. Because those dominant countries are likely to be most active in the globalization process, it seems it may take a great deal of effort to change this. While I do agree that globalization has potential to capture the voice of an entire world, given that every nation will at some point have equal means of doing so, I don't think this equalization will come soon and therefore we need to reconstruct the definition as a potential possibility, a movement in process, rather than something that is absolute.