Emergence of a Global Culture (Edexcel A Level Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Louise Stone
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Cultural Diffusion
Cultural Diffusion
Cultural changes happen naturally over time:
Globalisation has sped up the rate at which these changes take place
Throughout history, influential civilisations have brought cultural change to other places and this spread is called cultural diffusion
However, sometimes cultural change is achieved through coercion often referred to as cultural imperialism
Impacts of Cultural Diffusion
The role of Europe and North America in global cultural change is referred to as ‘Westernisation’
One indicator of this is the use of 'Globish' as the English language is adopted by many countries for two main reasons:
It is the dominant language used on the internet
It has become the global language of business, technology and education
Global culture change impacts people and the environment in many ways for example:
Asian diets have changed from a low meat, high vegetable diet to eating more meat and fast food
Cultural attitudes towards disability have changed as the media has contributed to making the Paralympic Games into one of the world’s biggest sporting events
There are several factors that have led to an increasingly ‘westernised’ global culture
Factors Leading to a ‘Westernised’ Global Culture
TNCs | Global Media | Migration & Tourism |
|---|---|---|
Global distribution of products such as food and clothes has contributed to creating a common culture Some TNCs have introduced uniform products globally e.g., Nike, Apple and Lego Some TNCs have adapted their products to suit each country, reflecting local cultures e.g., McDonalds (glocalisation) | Western celebrations of Halloween and Christmas appear in films and TV BBC contributes to the UK’s cultural influence abroad Other countries experience American and UK culture through TV shows such as Downton Abbey However, other shows are adapted and each country has their own version e.g., Britain’s Got Talent | Throughout history, Europeans have travelled around the world sharing their language and customs Migration can have an impact on the culture of the host country Sometimes, this change may only be partial e.g., British migrants exporting their English language and love of cricket to other countries but having a minimal impact on other things such as religion |
Worked Example
Describe two different ways disadvantaged groups have benefited from the spread of global culture
[4 marks]
You will need to give two different ways a global culture element spreads e.g., migration, tourism, social media for up to 2 marks
For the remaining 2 marks you will need to explain the benefits to a disadvantaged group
You will not receive any marks for naming a disadvantaged group and your answer must focus on culture
Answer:
The success and popularity of the Paralympics celebrating the achievements of disabled people [1] encourages equal opportunities [1]
Global media e.g., YouTube raises awareness of human rights [1] so minority groups demand rights e.g., chance to vote, education, equal job opportunities [1]
Rural-urban migrants in developing countries are exposed to equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups [1] so become confident in challenging the treatment of women/LGBT and other minority groups in their home region [1]
Examiner Tips and Tricks
For this question, you must make sure the benefits you write about are linked back to the ways that global culture spreads e.g., migration, tourism, social media
For example, if you stated that poor people had gained employment on its own you would not gain any marks, you would need to link this to rural-urban migration
Cultural Erosion
Cultural Erosion
The idea that a ‘westernised’ culture is spreading as a result of cultural erosion in different countries is called hyper-globalisation
Some people view this negatively because:
They are concerned that as the use of the English language spreads it will result in the loss of other languages
They worry that ecosystems are becoming devalued as economic growth is prioritised
However, some people view this positively because:
The emergence of a global culture is placing more value on equality and reducing discrimination
An Example of Cultural Erosion
Indigenous people living in the tropical rainforests of Amazonia and Papua New Guinea are some of the most isolated groups remaining in the world
More and more indigenous people are becoming aware of western culture and lifestyles which has changed the way they live:
Many members of these tribes now wear westernised clothing such as t-shirts when traditionally they would wear very little
Many young people are moving to urban areas like Manaus in search of jobs, education and healthcare
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that whilst cultural erosion is often considered to have many negative impacts, there can be positive impacts too so make sure you are able to discuss both in the exam.
Opposition to Globalisation
Opposition to Globalisation
There are a range of individuals, pressure groups and governments that all have some concern over the impacts of globalisation
Countries have reacted in different ways from resisting almost all change (e.g., North Korea) to being more selective over how much change is accepted, for example:
China prevents internet users from using BBC or Facebook and has a strict quote of 34 foreign films a year however, Christmas is now celebrated by many Chinese people
France is very protective of its culture with the government encouraging work filmed in French through subsidies and 40% of television must consist of French productions under local content law
There have been many movements where groups of people have taken a stand against globalisation, for example:
Occupy Wall Street Movement - a 59 day extended protest against economic inequality
Global Justice Movement promotes the equal distribution of resources and access to advances in technology
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you have specific examples of how different countries, such as North Korea and China, have opposed globalisation to refer to in the exam
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