GS101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Cultural Hegemony, Cultural Imperialism, Oligopoly
Document Summary
Gs101 (steger) chapter 5: the cultural dimension of globalization. Cultural globalization: intensification and expansion of cultural flows across the globe. Culture: frequently used to describe whole of human experience. Cultural: symbolic construction, articulation, and dissemination of meaning. Language, music, and images constitute major forms of symbolic expression = special significance in the sphere of culture. Cultural practices escaped fixed localities such as town and nation, eventually acquiring new meanings in interaction with dominant global themes. Chapter will focus on 3 important themes: tension between sameness and difference in the emerging global culture; crucial role of transnational media corporations in disseminating popular culture; and the globalization of languages. Pessimistic hyperglobalizers suggest we aren"t moving towards cultural rainbow that reflects diversity of world"s existing cultures. We"re witnessing rise of homogenized popular culture underwritten by western culture industry (new york, hollywood, london, milan) Americanization of the world": diffusion of anglo-american values and consumer goods.
