Beyond Borders: Understanding the Relation Between Culture and Globalization -- Lim Yebin

 

1. Summary

Culture and globalization are closely connected and constantly shape one another.
In this week’s lecture and readings, globalization was described not just as an economic or political process, but as something deeply cultural. Culture gives meaning to global connections, while globalization spreads cultural values, ideas, and lifestyles beyond borders.

Tomlinson argues that globalization leads to deterritorialization, meaning culture is no longer tied to a specific place—it moves through media, migration, and technology. Pieterse also highlights hybridization, suggesting that globalization doesn’t erase cultural differences but instead mixes them to create new forms. The professor mentioned that culture can’t be measured like trade or GDP, because values and beliefs change in more subtle ways.

In short, the lecture and readings all point to the same idea: globalization and culture are in a continuous exchange. Globalization spreads culture, but each society reshapes what it receives, creating an ongoing cycle of change.


2. Insights or Interesting Points

I found it interesting that globalization doesn’t just mean “Westernization.”
Instead, it allows for mutual exchange. For example, Western pop culture has influenced Asia, but at the same time, K-pop and Korean dramas have become global phenomena that reshape how the world views Asian culture. This shows that globalization can actually amplify smaller cultures instead of erasing them.

It also made me think about how cultures adapt. When Korean food or fashion spreads abroad, it often changes to fit local tastes. This flexibility shows that culture isn’t fixed—it evolves through contact with others. But at the same time, globalization can make me question what “authentic” culture really means. Are we losing something when local culture becomes global? I’m not sure, but it makes me curious.


3. Questions or Critiques

One question I have is whether globalization really leads to deeper understanding between cultures, or just surface-level familiarity.
Watching a show from another country doesn’t necessarily mean we understand its values or context.

I also wonder if globalization will eventually make cultures more similar or keep them diverse. Maybe both are happening at once—people share global lifestyles, but still hold onto local traditions.
Lastly, I’m curious how much algorithms affect globalization. They connect us globally but also keep us in our own cultural bubbles, which might limit how much we truly learn from other societies.


4. References

Tomlinson, J. (1999). Globalization and Culture. University of Chicago Press.
Pieterse, J. N. (1993). Globalization as Hybridization. International Institute of Social Studies, ISS Working Paper No. 152.
Konieczny, P. (2025). Media Trends and Globalization [Lecture]. Hanyang University, ERICA Campus.

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