Reaction Paper n.6 - Communication and Cultural Globalization

The 5th chapter of the book focuses on the relationship between Communication and cultural globalization. The notion I will address here is the one of cultural diversity, and more specifically the way in which cultural globalization might threaten it. Cultural diversity is defined in the book as:

“a 'manifestation of the creativity of the human spirit', and is required 'by principles of equity, human rights and self-determination'; it is needed to 'oppose political and economic dependence and oppression' for 'sustainability' and it is 'aesthetically pleasing to have an array of different cultures', it 'stimulates the mind' and can provide a 'reserve of knowledge and experience' about good and useful ways of organizing society” (UNESCO), p.180.

Cultural globalization takes the form of an increasing production and consumption of the same cultural products all around the world. Whether we are talking about music, movies or books, Western, and more specifically US products are exported to all continents and constitutes an important part of the overall cultural consumption.

As the definition of cultural diversity cited above points out, the notion of cultural diversity is not only a question of aesthetics, but also includes a socio-political dimension. The authors of the textbook explain that cultural globalization might threaten national sovereignties and reflect a cultural domination of the West (and more specifically the US) over the world. An illustration of this idea is the rise of English as the new global language.

For my own opinion, I will have to divide into two parts. On one hand, I think that the textbook was efficient and complete in addressing the dangers of cultural globalization in terms of cultural diversity. Diversity is indeed a fundamental aspect of democratic thinking, because it is a sign of pluralism and therefore would prevent the rise of what we could call a ‘autocratic ideology’. Local cultures are essential in creating group dynamics and identities. Culture, maybe even more than ethnicity, is what makes the difference between us and them, and what makes the notion of nation possible. In this sense, I agree with the book that protecting cultural diversity is essential in order to sustain national sovereignties. It is also essential in order to keep an ideological balance between all the ways through which people perceive and understand life around the world.

On the other hand, although protecting cultural diversity is important, at a certain extent, I think that cultural globalization also present a number of benefits. Global culture does not only consist in the one type of cultural products dominating the world. It also consist in a number of hybrid cultures, and cultural exchanges. In this sense, I think that cultural globalization might create new perspectives in different intellectual fields and bring a new openness to the world and to cooperation. Ultimately, I think that cultural diversity should be protected at a certain extent, but that it is also important to consider the benefits that cultural globalization might involve, in order to achieve a balanced attitudes towards the matter.