People around the globe are more connected to each other today than ever
before in the history of mankind. Information and money flow more quickly than
ever. Goods and services produced in one part of the world are increasingly
available in all parts of the world. International travel is more frequent.
International communication is commonplace.
A consultant on globalization
summarizes it in the maximization of efficiency demonstrated through free
trade. In his words “Globalization is the process of corporate structuring that
focuses a company’s core competency on a single’ world wide market, creating
growth and profit opportunities through synergies and efficiencies sales,
purchasing and distribution.” Globalization
and culture globalization demands some degree of structural changes in the
various dimensions of society. As can be expected the effects of these
structural changes on the normative and value systems ( and their attendant
institutions)of the non western societies are most dramatic. These “structural
adjustments” have all too often created traumatic experiences for those who
often find themselves helpless to prevent the erosion of their cultures and
economic well being.
It is not difficult to detect in the literature on globalization factual
and methodological problems as the two samples noted above noted
illustrated. It is however, the
similarities of this argument with those that were offered for and against the
globalization program that are interesting. The economics of education of
globalization will also show that this movement will be difficult to stop by
conventional means of free trade and competition among the develops countries
of the co-called NORTH and the relatively poor countries of the so called SOUTH.
There are clearly many individuals and firms who benefits form this aspect of
capitalism in all countries. But most of those who are negatively impacted are
the people in the less devolved.
Critics of globalization contend that, even if increased trade promotes
material prosperity, it comes with a high spiritual and cultural cost, running
roughshod over the world’s distinctive cultures and threatening to turn the
globe into one big, tawdry strip mall. That trade gives artist a greater
opportunity to express their creative inspiration. The preconditions for
successful artistic creativity to be things like markets, physical materials,
ideas and inspiration. When two cultures trade with each other thy tend to
expand the opportunities available to individual artist. The globalization of the production and distribution of goods and
services is a welcome development for many people in that it offers them
access to products that they would not otherwise have. However, some are
concerned that the changes brought about by globalization threaten the
viability of locally made products and people who produce them. For example the
new availability of foreign food in market often at cheaper prices can displace
farmers who have traditionally earned a living by working their small plots of
family owned land and selling their good locally.
Globalization of course does more than simply increase the availability
of foreign made consumer product and disrupt traditional producers. It is also
increasing international trade in cultural products and services, such as
movies, music and publication. The expansion of trade in cultural product is
increasing the exposure of all societies to foreign cultures. And the exposure
to foreign cultural good frequently being about changes in local cultures,
values and traditions. Although there is no consensus on the consequences of
globalization on national cultures, many people believe that a people exposure
to foreign culture and undermine their own cultural identity. Integration of
cultures is …although the US many play a dominant role with in the phenomenon
of cultural globalization, it is important to keep in mind that this is not an
entirely one way street. India
also contributes to global culture, influencing American culture itself, other
national cultures are influential with in the India and also increase the
presence walk world wide. Bollywood is a good example of an industry that
integrates elements from more than one culture. While bollywood very close to
dominates world cinema now we can see that Indian movies are subject to foreign
influence. According to the economist “One
reason for bollywood success is that from the earliest days it was open to
foreign talent and foreign money”.
What has been its impact on culture?
There is three effect of globalization on culture, its…
1. New global professions:
Many observers of globalization have come to recognize of new class of
people who are generally well educated, trained professionals in the business
field, who have developed a kind of global common culture. Robert Reich says “This new class of
globalized professionals account of
perhaps 15 to 25 percent of the US
population he observes that the member of this group. They think…
·
Think in cosmopolites rather than national terms.
·
Have high skill and education level and as such benefit the most
economically from globalization
·
Speak foreign languages
·
Travel internationally
·
As much less likely to lose their jobs or to works in industries with
falling wages, due to globalizing economics.
·
Are unlikely to have served or even have family members who have served.
The rest of society being more national and regional outlook is not any
more sensitive to the instructions of global outruns on their local norms but
is also more likely to bear the economic cost of the distributions of
globalization.
2. Pop culture: among three effect of
globalization on culture, the growth of global “ pop culture “tends to get the
most attention and to strike people on a visceral level. Many complain that
this form of globalization is actually Americanization, because the US is by for
the biggest producer of popular culture good. Pop culture is manifested ground
the world through movies, music, television, shows, newspaper, Satellite fast
food and clothing, among other entertainment and consumer goods. Almost by
definition pop culture has attained an immense global following precisely
because it is popular. For many citizens of other countries through the near
take over of their own cultural industries, Especially for younger audiences is
of great concern. As sociologist Peter Berger point out, pop culture…. “carries a
significant fright of belief and values take the case of rock music. It’s
attraction is not to a particular preference for loud systemic sound and
dangerously athletic dancing. Rock music also symbolizes a whole cluster of
cultural values-concerning self expression
spontaneity , released sexuality and perhaps most importantly defence of
the alleged stodginess of tradition.
3. The Global village : critics of globalization
charge that the phenomenon especially through “POP Culture “ is perpetrating a
kind of cultural genocide on the world _that the largest most dominant
cultures, becoming larger and more dominant at the exposure of many others. In
this view globalization is in fact another word of Americanization. However,
others argue that globalization offers the potential of enrich the world
actually. To these people the notion that the opportunities for cultural
exchange brought about by globalization can help promote tolerance and
diversity is very attractive. Their vision is the multicultural “Global
village” when ideas and practices can be fully exchanged and appreciated.
Globalization has changes this dynamic, in sometimes quite powerful ways. In
today world foreign policy decisions are sometimes driven by television images
beamed around the world by satellites showing promise or fighting in their
nations. In this context globalization enables a newscaster to humanize an
event overseas. As Adam Smith might
have observed rescuing images of starting children and other human suffering on
television creates a much more powerful emotional reaction in an observer than
reading in a newspaper that 100000 people have died as a result of a natural
disaster overseas. We live in an
intensely interdependent world in which all the earth's peoples wit their
immense differences of culture and historical experience are compressed
together in instant communication. We face today a world of almost infinite
promise which is also a world of terminal danger. This phenomenon has been
titled 'Globalization.'
But In India 'The Era of Globalization' is fast becoming the preferred
term for describing the current times. Just as the Depression, the Cold War
Era, the Space Age, and the Roaring 20's are used to describe particular
periods of history; Globalization describes the political, economic, and
cultural atmosphere of today.
While some people think of Globalization as primarily a synonym for global
business, it is much more than that. The same forces that allow businesses to
operate as if national borders did not exist also allow social activists,
labour organizers, journalists, academics, international terrorists and many
others to work on a global stage.
British Imperialism or Western Colonialism did not die after the end of
World War II when the West gave up its colonies in Africa,
Asia, Latin America,
West Indies and the East
Indies. Gradually it changed itself into a more subtle form which
is proving to be more harmful to all non-Western cultures both in the short run
and the long run.
Indian culture which in effect means Hindu culture, Hindu religion,
Hindu society, Hindu civilization, Hindu way of life are under the lethal
threat of the ruthless forces of Globalization today. What went by the name of
Colonialism in classical history textbooks produced in the days of British Raj
has been replaced today by the synonym of Globalization. The unbridled
expansion of western culture has continued at an accelerated rate along with
the denigration and decline of Hindu culture, civilization, religion, art,
literature and customs. This new Colonialism has taken on several new faces or
rather put on new masks. It cleverly masquerades itself through labels and
slogans like democracy, humanitarian rights, gender equality, internationalism,
free trade and humanitarianism. In the name of modernization and Globalization
it pretends to be uplifting peoples whom it is really exploiting. This is not
very different in either kind or intent from old Western Colonialism! British
Imperialism in the Indian context ï which vaunted itself as the benign bringer
of Civilization and culture to the uncivilized world. It was given the glorious
title of 'White Man's Burden'.
In the Colonial Era in India
from 1700-1875, British colonial expansion worked through military, economic,
and religious methods. Military force was the primary and initial method. This
was little more than organized banditry, stealing the gold, jewels and other
treasures of India.
Economic exploitation went hand in hand with the military conquest. Later it
stooped so low in its methods as to get involved even with the drug and
narcotic trades. Later economic exploitation developed into a fine art
resulting in the exercise of total control over the natural resources and
controlling the economy of India
for long term gains.
Religion provided the needed rationale for this cruel plunder. All
native Hindus were dismissed as heathens or pagans � despicable creatures that
don't have to be treated like human beings till they take their fateful
decision to embrace Christianity. According to the missionaries who came to India to play
second fiddle to the British Imperial rulers, Christianity was the only true
religion. Jesus Christ was the only true God. All other religions like
Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and many other traditional faiths and
religions in India
had to be eliminated to save the souls of India and Indians. All facets and
all aspects of Hindu religion and Hindu society were dismissed as idolatry and
superstition, in order to advance the noble Christian pursuit of salvation for
the barbarous heathens of India.
Along with Christian religion came the rest of British or Western
culture, thought and customs and the gradual end of traditional ways of life.
Thus our traditional religions and cultures were gradually subverted or
eliminated. The new Indian converts to Christianity were encouraged not only to
give up their religion but their culture, which often had religious or
spiritual implications as well. A good Indian Christian convert would dress
like an Englishman and emulate English manners in all things. Thus in India the
Hindus converted by the British to Christianity were encouraged to think,
behave and live like Englishmen. This is what I call Macaulayism. This
term derives from Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800 - 1859) who was a Member of
the Governor General's Council in Calcutta
in the 1830s. He introduced the English system of education to produce Brown
Sahibs who were to be English in taste and temperament. This expectation was
more than fulfilled even by 1900 and after our independence thanks to our
Anglo-Saxon Prime Minister Nehru this process has been completed with
consummate ruthlessness.
After the outward display and establishment of the forces of
Colonialism, came an intellectual form that was less overt but more dangerous
and explosively insidious. The British rulers attempted to colonize our minds
by eliminating all our traditional schools and education systems through a
progressive system of Western education. This they did in a country like India where
Christianity failed to gain many converts. This gave British Colonialism in India the aura
of a civilizing influence. Educated Indians having higher education in the
colleges opened by the alien rulers in the latter half of the 19th century were
made to believe that it was not colonial exploitation that the Englishmen were
bringing to India but progressive Western values � training our people in science,
art and technology and teaching them better and more equitable forms of
government. Native Indian people were helped to learn the skills of veneer of
English civilization by becoming modern and rational.
Though all forms of Colonial Empire in the geographical sense came to an
end after the II World War, yet the same forms of colonial exploitation
continue even today in all parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America
under the banner of that all-embracing umbrella called Globalization. Western
Civilization in spite of its tall claims to support diversity is only promoting
a worldwide monoculture. The same basic values, institutions and points of view
for everyone, which it calls 'Globalization.' The brutal and stark truth is
that western culture, with its declared pursuit of markets and commodities
eliminates all true culture, which is based on quality and not quantity. It
creates a culture of filthy lucre and lust for money all the way that submerges
any true culture of refinement or spirituality, a dismal culture in which
everything can be bought and sold, possessed or capitalized on. All our
capitalists and businessmen in India
today are gloating and bloating about the ever rising tide of consumerism and
consumer culture brought about by the ruthless march of Globalization. This in
my view constitutes the greatest assault on Hindu culture and Hindu society by
the draconian dragon of gargantuan Globalization.
Macaulayism of British India has become
in letter and spirit the Globalization of today. Pound Sterling has been
replaced by the US Dollar. To the people of India in general and educated
Indians in particular, Globalization seems to be rather mild and well meaning,
more like an imperceptible breeze, which blows in silently, fills up the
psychological atmosphere, creates a mental mood, inspires an intellectual
attitude and finally settles down as a cultural climate, pervasive, protein and
ubiquitous. It is not out to use a specified section of Indian society as a
vehicle of its virulence. It is not like Islamism which wants to destroy the
body of a culture in one fell sweep. It is not subtle like Christianity which
subverts a society surreptitiously. Yet at the same time, it is a creeping
toxaemia which corrodes the soul of our Hindu culture and corrupts our
time-honoured social systems in slow stages. And its target is every section of
Indian society.
Every educated Indian seems to believe that nothing in Hindu India, past
or present, is to be approved unless recognized and recommended by an
appropriate authority in the West. There is an all-pervading presence of a
positive, if not worshipful, attitude towards everything in western society and
culture, past as well as present in the name of progress, reason and science.
Nothing from the West is to be rejected unless it has first been weighed and
found wanting by a Western evaluation.
Swami Vivekananda foresaw the dangers of Globalization as early as in
1893 when he spoke at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago. To quote his soul-stirring words:
'Shall India
die? Then, from the world all spirituality will be extinct, all sweet-soiled
sympathy for religion will be extinct, all ideality will be extinct ; and in
its place will reign the duality of lust and luxury as the male and female
deities, with money as its priest, fraud, force, and competition its
ceremonies, and human soul its sacrifice. Such a thing can never be'.
Globalization
is fastly determining the cultural practices of an Indian people. Those who are
slow are left behind and from indications, everyone seems to be in big rush not
to be left behind. Culture of the developed economy
has taken over the local culture. Many Indians prefer the cultural practices of
the developed countries. Form the foregoing; it is observed that globalization
is characterized by keen competition and an aggressive quest for supremacy by
various contending people and interest group of the world. Precisely such a
terrible thing is taking place in India today on account of the
inexorable and immutable process of Globalization.
1. Achenbach, Joel “The
Clash” The Washington
post (Dec. 16, 2000)
2. Barth Steve “Cultural
protectionism world trade” March, 1998.
3. Berger Peter L. “Four of
global culture” The National Interest, 1997.
4. Smith Adam “The Theory
of moral sentiments”.
5. V. Sundram “Impact of
globalization” 2006.
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