What is the relation between culture and globalization? - Jeong jiyoon

1. Summary

   Today’s globalization goes beyond simple trade between nations. It’s a profound movement that redefines even who we are and what values we prioritize. Cultural globalization, in particular, is a phenomenon where intangible elements such as ideas, meanings, and values spread worldwide, expanding our social networks into complex systems. Especially, the development of digital technology has become the most powerful catalyst, allowing specific cultural content to deeply embed itself in the daily lives of people across the globe. Beyond the exchange of cultural products, modern advancements in transportation, increased tourism, and large-scale population shifts, such as migration, are also primary channels for cultural dissemination. Consequently, established societies are facing new challenges and dilemmas, including concerns about identity erosion and the complex task of social integration.


2. Insight

  Exploring the phenomenon of globalization allowed me to gain two significant insights. First, I realized that an individual's cultural identity is now transcending national borders. In the past, one's cultural identity was virtually synonymous with one's country identity. However, today, we routinely share universal trends through diverse global media. Consequently, global currents that go beyond the confines of any specific nation have become a crucial component in shaping individual identities. Second, I grasped the paradoxical nature of globalization. Contrary to the vague expectation that everything would become homogeneous as globalization progressed, the more a region's unique culture spreads globally, the more people are prompted to ask, "What is our true identity?" Globalization has a dual nature: it shrinks distances while simultaneously highlighting differences.


3. Discussion

  People eagerly welcome cultural products that are attractively packaged and promoted through the media, yet they become defensive toward the cultures of those who actually live among us—such as migrants and refugees. We should question whether the “globalization” we claim to pursue is, in reality, nothing more than the comfortable consumption of culture. It is also necessary to critically examine whether the culture we consume has been reduced to a commercialized, reconstructed version, selectively presented for easy enjoyment.

Comments

  1. Kim nayoungDecember 18, 2025 at 5:50 AM

    I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I especially liked the way you separated cultural identity from national identity. If you had explained a bit more about how those two identities differ, the insight section might have been even easier to understand.

    I also agree with your point about digital technology being a major driver of cultural diffusion. As digital platforms developed, services like YouTube and Netflix became part of everyday life, and I think those changes shaped a lot of the culture we consume today.

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