What is the relation between culture and globalization - Jeong Giyoung

1) Summary

The relationship between culture and globalization is simply explained by the concept of cultural globalization beyond the realm of economy or politics. This is a process in which cultural elements such as language, religion, food, art, and lifestyle spread and interact across borders, and create new identities and meanings around the world. Historically, the globalization of culture has been promoted through trade, the spread of religion, and the expansion of imperialism. The Silk Road and the Age of Discovery became a medium for conveying cultural symbols and customs beyond simple exchange of goods, and colonialism enables the dominant spread of certain cultures and still leaves an imbalance in cultural power. In modern times, with the explosive development of communication technologies such as the Internet, YouTube, and SNS, cultures around the world are connected and consumed in real time. As a result, cultural homogenization occurs in which cultures become similar to each other. Scholar Tomlinson points out that this cultural globalization is not just an exchange, but a process in which a specific culture occupies a dominant position in economic and media power relations, that is, cultural hegemony. In particular, as Westernization or Americanization's influence is strong, Western-centered cultural norms tend to be standardized globally. However, non-Western cultures, such as K-pop, Japanese animation, and Indian movies, simultaneously expand their influence in the global market, demonstrating that cultural trends do not have only a one-sided direction. Cultural globalization can be said to be a complex interaction process in which domination and resistance, absorption and transformation are mixed.

2) Interesting Points

What was interesting about this topic was the fact that there was always media development behind the spread and exchange of culture. In the past, merchants and missionaries who traveled to and from the Silk Road were mobile media that carried culture directly. After the invention of printing, newspapers and magazines dramatically expanded the speed and scope of cultural propagation. The globalization of culture was driven by radio, television, and film in the 20th century. Hollywood movies and American popular music, in particular, functioned like global standards and stereotyped popular tastes. In other words, culture has become an industry where it is consumed, not just locality. The biggest change is that individuals have emerged as subjects of cultural spread through the Internet and SNS. Unlike the time when large media such as broadcasting stations and newspapers exclusively produced content, YouTubers, fan communities, and SNS accounts have now become global influences. As a representative example of K-pop, voluntary participation and digital promotion of fans have created a global ripple effect. It was particularly interesting that culture no longer flows from the center to the periphery, but is in a cyclical structure that consumes, transforms, and returns each other's cultures.

3) Concerns & Further Questions

It is true that platforms and media are boosting cultural exchanges around the world. However, one question remains. Is the cultural globalization we are experiencing true expansion of diversity or is it a new form of cultural uniformity driven by popularity and algorithms? YouTube and Netflix appear to introduce content from various countries, but in the end, high-profit genres and specific countries' content are repeatedly highlighted by algorithms. Although non-Western cultures are gaining popularity around the world, they are also being reorganized in accordance with the standards and grammar of global platforms, and the distribution channels are still dominated by Western companies. If so, is the current cultural globalization a place of true interaction or a new form of cultural hegemony in which the direction and character of culture are defined through the filter of platform? Can it be said that increased access to culture means the expansion of cultural diversity? This question is not just a matter of taste, but I think it leads to an important discussion about what culture we live in and what direction globalization we will create in the future.

4) Using AI

It was recognized that there was a positive and negative appearance, but used to capture the actual body using gpt.

Comments

  1. Minjee KimDecember 13, 2025 at 4:56 AM

    This is a very well-organized and insightful piece on cultural globalization. I appreciate how you trace the historical flow of culture from the Silk Road to today’s digital platforms, which makes the argument feel grounded rather than abstract. The point about media functioning as the driving force behind cultural spread is especially compelling, and the comparison between traditional mass media and today’s fan-driven, participatory culture is clearly explained. Your concerns about algorithms and platform dominance are also important, as they question whether increased access truly leads to diversity or simply reshapes culture into more market-friendly forms. Overall, the essay successfully shows that cultural globalization is not a one-way process, but a complex cycle of power, resistance, and transformation.

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  2. Kim DonghaDecember 15, 2025 at 8:13 AM

    I read your reflection carefully and found it very insightful and well-structured. Your summary clearly explains cultural globalization as a complex process involving domination, resistance, and transformation, reflecting a strong understanding of the readings, especially Tomlinson’s idea of cultural hegemony. I particularly appreciated your focus on media development as a key driver of cultural globalization, from historical routes like the Silk Road to modern platforms such as YouTube and SNS. The discussion of individuals and fan communities as new cultural actors, especially through the example of K-pop, was engaging. Your concerns about algorithms, platform power, and whether cultural globalization truly increases diversity or instead produces a new form of uniformity were thoughtful and raised important questions. One possible improvement would be to connect these concerns more explicitly to specific theories or scholars mentioned earlier to strengthen the academic depth.

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