What is the relation between culture and globalization? - SoYeong Yun

Summary

According to lecture materials, Globalization is the process of strengthening connectivity and interdependence across borders in various dimensions, including the economy, politics, and society. However, this phenomenon is not just about economic exchanges, but it also deeply affects people's ways of thinking, lifestyle, and values by promoting cultural blending. The most striking feature of globalization is that culture no longer spreads beyond regional boundaries to 'global culture'.

In particular, two opposing phenomena are introduced: homogenization and heterogenization. On the one hand, as Western-centered popular culture spreads globally, regional traditions fade, and 'global homogeneity' centered on consumer culture is reinforced. On the other hand, even in these exchanges, each region reinterprets and 'glocalization' external culture to create a new form of hybrid culture. For example, the phenomenon in which Korean K-pop borrows the form of Western pop culture while adding its own language and aesthetic sense is an example.

In addition, the popular culture is a representative symbol of globalization. Popular culture rapidly spreads throughout the world through movies, music, fashion, and social media content, and serves as a common language to connect perceptions and tastes among people. However, at the same time, this process also causes problems with 'cultural imperialism'. For example, as the American entertainment industry exerts a global influence, local cultures tend to become 'Americanized.'

Something new or interesting

The most interesting point is the view that 'globalization is not just a spread of culture, but a process of creating a new cultural identity'. Traditionally, globalization has often been discussed negatively amid criticism of 'the dominance of Western culture', but lectures emphasized that the possibility of diversity and creativity expands as cultures interact with each other. For example, the emergence of surrounding culture as the mainstream on the global stage, such as K-pop and Japanese animation, shows that globalization does not necessarily mean only a one-way power shift.

In addition, I realized anew that the concept of 'hybridity' is a key framework for understanding cultural changes in the era of globalization. It was very impressive that a culture is not just imitated when it is affected by external influences, but is newly reformed according to its own context.

Questions and debatable issues

One regrettable thing about this reading is that although the lecture put some emphasis on the positive aspects of globalization—that is, connectivity and diversity—there was a lack of discussion on cultural inequality and power structure. For example, if the global spread of popular culture is not just a cultural exchange, but reflects the power of a minority country or company with capital and technology, wouldn't it be another form of 'cultural hegemony' rather than cultural exchange? In this respect, "Who creates a global culture, and who benefits from it?" is considered a key question to be discussed in more depth in the future.

In addition, even if local culture 'localizes' foreign cultures, it can lead to weakening of traditional values or languages in the long run. Then, where is the balance point that can take advantage of globalization while preserving cultural diversity? This issue can be discussed in connection with cultural autonomy, media regulation, and cultural policy.

Globalization is a double-edged sword for culture

Globalization can make culture disappear or revive. Culture is not simply a passive being affected in the process of globalization, but an active subject that reconstructs itself and creates a new identity. The tension between 'universality' and 'diversity' created by globalization is an important cultural topic that will continue in the future, and it makes us reflect on what cultural understanding and attitudes we should have as global citizens. I would like to suggest this question. How can we preserve our true regional identity in a global culture?

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