“... an international community influenced by technological development and economic,
political and military interests. It is characterised by a worldwide increase in interdependence,
interactivity, interconnectedness, and the virtually instantaneous exchange of information.
Globalisation may lead to the homogenisation of world cultures, or to hybridisation and
multiculturalism.”
Two opposing views:
Utopian view:
o Global village
o Marshall McLuhan
Dystopian view:
o Cultural imperialism – imperial domination of the world maintained partly
through the distribution of cultural products.
o Herbert Schiller
Utopian view:
Communication technology makes world smaller: overcome geographical obstacles
using digital networks.
There is access to public space; there is democracy, education, equality, and there are
more opportunities to build communities.
New “imagined communities” beyond the nation state: imagined commonalities
between subjects who may have never met.
“The medium is the message”:
McLuhan can be seen as a technological determinist: technology shapes society, and
not vice versa.
Technology that is used for communication structures our engagement with and
perception of the world.
What about our agency, ability, or need to instigate social change?
Dystopian view:
Cultural diversity is threatened by the fact that the field is dominated by transnational
media corporations that flood local media with products from the northern
hemisphere.
This is linked to colonial capitalism – Africa produces what it does not consume and
consumes what it does not produce.
Western culture prevails.
Is globalisation new?
No
Migrations, conquests, and exchanges are key features in our history.
For example, colonial expansion and the diaspora created by the slave trade.
Corporate globalisation is the key problem.
Apartheid:
A system of neo-colonial racial oppression.
Create cheap labour pool to create class privilege for the white minority.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller anyiamgeorge19. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $9.90. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.