Seminar paper from the year 2012 in the subject Politics - Topic: Globalization, Political Economics, grade: A, Webster University, language: English, abstract: In recent decades, many regions of the world have seen a marked increase in economic development due to the process of globalization as states have opened their borders to international markets, allowing for multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, and foreign state actors to have an increasingly powerful influence over traditionally domestic matters. With this development and the advance of technology, media and communication have had the ability to reach regions of the world, which may have never been exposed to other cultures in the past. Undoubtedly, this has had an impact on the culture and societal norms of countless cultures as dominant world cultures expand their realm of influence through such media as TV programs and the internet. This report will examine to what extent dominant world cultures’ impacts are on what will be termed ‘traditional cultures’ – a unique culture, which up until recently has been relatively unaware of and influenced by other outside cultures. Furthermore, it will examine whether this trend of globalization will advance the creation of a singular global culture. The debate of whether the erosion between traditional culture and the strengthening of a global culture is of particular concern as within recent history many groups, who are often termed minorities to the more dominant cultures, are concerned with the loss of their individuality, way of life, and even their national sovereignty. To pro or hyper-globalists, this loss of sovereignty is viewed as progress as the process of cultural homogenization will inevitably be responsible for the decay of conflict among differing cultural groups. However, to the ‘minorities’ or traditional cultures opposed to this form of cultural transformation, this theory poses a threat to their unique values and it is not likely that traditional cultures will likely submit to the notion that a growing global culture is an unavoidable fact.

In this provocative book Terhi Rantanen challenges conventional ways of thinking about globalization and shows how it cannot be understood without studying the role of the media. Rantanen begins with an accessible overview of globalization and the pivotal role of the media.

The contributors to Monster Theory consider beasts, demons, freaks and fiends as symbolic expressions of cultural unease that pervade a society and shape its collective behavior. Through a historical sampling of monsters, these essays argue that our fascination for the monstrous testifies to our continued desire to explore difference and prohibition.

A comprehensive survey of the key areas of research in cross-cultural communication, based on the authors' experience in organizing and delivering courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students and in business training in the UK and overseas.

A third edition of this book is now available. Now in a fully revised and updated edition, this concise and insightful book explores the ways American popular products such as movies, music, television programs, fast food, sports, and even clothing styles have molded and continue to influence modern globalization. Lane Crothers offers a thoughtful examination of both the appeal of American products worldwide and the fear and rejection they induce in many people and nations around the world. Concluding with a projection of the future impact of American popular culture, this book makes a powerful argument for its central role in shaping global politics and economic development.

Globalization and “Minority” Cultures: The Role of “Minor” Cultural Groups in Shaping Our Global Future is a collective work which brings to the forefront of global studies new perspectives on the relationship between globalization and the experiences of cultural minorities worldwide.

Many contemporary issues cannot be readily or fully understood at the level of the nation state and the concept of globalization is used to develop understanding through the analysis of global (transnational) processes. This volume explores the phenomenon of Americanization, and its worldwide impact, and the cultural consequences of globalization.