reading journal

Fear not Globalization
By: Joseph S. Nye Jr.
Summary: This article begins with a current event description of modern anti-globalism protest movements. The author argues that these people are mistaken in their belief, saying that “globalization neither homogenizing nor Americanizing the cultures of the world.” The appearance of commonalities between cultures such as cities factories and mass communication; a byproduct of similar problems faced by each. These cultures are still able to retain their originality. When China, India, and Brazil complete their current processes of industrialization and modernization, we should not expect them to be replicas of current modern cultures. In retrospect, if the US had not lead the information revolution then some other country would have and their culture would have been imposed on the world in the just the same way. Japan is a great example of a country that underwent modernization yet still retained its individual culture.
The idea that protesters have about culture is wrong is assuming that it is a static element. Culture is never static and it is always changing; it changes to coop with emerging problems from within it. Globalization works both ways how ever, no country is immune to its effects and even the US has seen some outside influence in its own cultural changes. However as the US loses military and economic influence in the world, so to will its cultural influence fade from the global scene.
Response: This article goes against the popular norm of condemning the current trend of globalization as being bad and instead tries to embrace its benefits. The author points out that humanity becomes more connected as cultural barriers are overcome. As cultures become intertwined so too will the problems they all face. It is logical to assume that as the world’s cultures become more connected, the problems will become increasingly more similar. All the problems that could arise in a society will have multiple solutions; of these only one will truly be the best solution for everyone. It doesn’t make sense for humanity to deny itself this useful tool in solving these problems. With a more connected problem solving network it increases the chances of reaching the best solution; this object benefits everyone. Change is an inevitable part of the social network, and as the author says, you’d be hard pressed to discover a culture that hasn’t changed over the years. These cultures change as a mode of evolution, they adjust to address issues and are eternally changed by it. This new culture retains elements of the new and old traditions of the people.