What is the Relation Between Culture and Globalization? ---HE ZIXUAN(하자선)


1. Summary of the Material

Globalization connects countries through trade, media, and technology, deeply influencing cultural life. It allows the spread of ideas, music, fashion, and lifestyles across borders, making cultures more interconnected than ever. However, this process can also lead to cultural homogenization, where unique local customs and traditions begin to disappear. The dominance of Western media and consumer culture often spreads a globalized lifestyle that values popularity and profit over tradition.

As a result, traditional practices, languages, and art forms may lose their importance or become commercialized. Local cultures are sometimes simplified or modified to attract tourists or fit global markets, which can reduce their authenticity. The spread of global languages, especially English, also affects linguistic diversity, making it harder for small communities to preserve their cultural identity and pass down traditional knowledge.

2. Interesting Point

It is interesting that globalization both unifies and diversifies cultures. While global media can make cultures look more alike, it also gives people tools to express their uniqueness. The internet helps people share their culture with the world and inspires new, mixed cultural forms. In this way, globalization can weaken some traditions but also create new ones, showing that cultural change is not only about loss but also about creativity and adaptation.

3. Concern and Discussion

Despite its positive aspects, cultural globalization raises several concerns. One major issue is cultural appropriation—when elements of minority cultures are borrowed or used by dominant groups without respect or understanding. This often happens in industries like fashion, music, and entertainment, where sacred or traditional symbols are turned into products. Such actions can harm cultural communities and erase the original meaning behind these traditions.

Another issue is economic inequality. Global companies often profit from cultural ideas or symbols without sharing the benefits with the communities they come from. Local artisans and cultural workers face competition from mass-produced goods, leading to loss of income and heritage.

To address these problems, international cooperation and stronger laws are needed to protect cultural rights and promote fair exchange. Governments, organizations, and individuals all have roles to play—by supporting authentic cultural expression, respecting differences, and ensuring fair benefit-sharing. The real challenge is finding a balance between embracing global cultural exchange and protecting the integrity of local traditions.

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