Globalization has been going on
since the 1500s with the European explorations and the rise of global trade.
Today not only are goods traded in globalization but also economic, social,
political and technological ideas. Globalization has created a platform for
nations to influence other nations in various sectors. World leaders like the
United States haven been on the forefront of spreading their principals
throughout the globe.
The United
States has a great influence in globalization and we see this play out with the
economic dependency countries have established through trade and the spreading
of cultures through media. But after reading Franklin Foer How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization
I agreed with Foer’s conclusion that globalization has created a divide between
those in the U.S. There are those who
believe the American culture should be globalized by European ideas and those
who believe that globalization will taint the American identity. Globalization
can limit the individuality of states because there is pressure from world
powers to conform. But I do believe the US is not feeling the pressure to
globalize, instead they are pressuring others.
The idea of
globalizing to other nations culture and values is not one that will taint the
American culture and poltics. America is based on the melting pot of different
ideas, cultures and identities. Foer poses the idea of the divide with the
position soccer has in the U.S. According to Foer “aside from Latino
immigrants, the professional classes follow the game most avidly and the
working class couldn’t give a toss about it.”(Foer) Some believe that soccer is
part of the European culture and is not American.
Soccer is
not only part of the European culture but is part of the global culture. The
U.S. and maybe a select few other countries do not have soccer as their most
popular sport. Most countries have globalized and soccer is a huge part of
their sports culture. As a Latina I grew up watching and playing soccer, and I
am the exception to the American example that only the professional class cares about soccer. But like most immigrants in this
country, soccer is the connection to their native roots. I do not believe that
because I favor soccer over Americas past time, baseball, that I am tainting
the American culture.
Those who
are divided on this issue, should understand that the influence of other
nations that are not world powers are not always harmful and can have benefits.
If the U.S is globalizing other countries with the American culture, why
shouldn’t America take away some of the culture concepts of others?
Globalization is good on the improvement on all countries despite if you are a
world power or not. It allows for a blending of cultures and gives opportunities for
economic and technologcal improvements through trade.
I think that, in America, there is a sense that our way is the best way. We spread democracy around the world, we spread our technology and culture around the world. But I agree that there is not much desire to become globalized by other nations. It seems as if we are the ones doing the globalizing. Perhaps this is the answer to my concerns that the globalized world loses its individual nature. If countries are becoming globalized from many different directions, maybe their individual culture will hold more weight.
ReplyDeleteYou make a very interesting point about Globalization, that the United States is an exception because it is a melting pot and is made up of so many cultures and nationalities. In this sense, I do agree with you that America has a lot to take away from other countries, as it already has in the past and that is essentially what makes it America. However, I just hope that in the future countries, especially the United States, will be able to limit themselves and know their boundaries and when to stay true to their country and when to open their arms.
ReplyDeleteI also found your point about America being a melting pot interesting. I think you're right in saying that American culture revolves a lot around how we are this mix of so many different nationalities and cultures. That being said, while it's clear we do have distinct American political ideologies and such, I think culturally speaking, a distinct "American culture" is not quite as strong or prevalent as culture is in some other countries, thus I don't think we're effected by globalization as much in that respect. On the other hand, I do think ideologically speaking, we are huge impacters in the global world. America is always the first one involved when another country is struggling, helping to rebuild them with western ideals explaining why many governments or political systems of other countries are based off America's.
ReplyDelete