Globalization revisited - Essay Example

Globalization Revisited The article by Kwame Anthony Appiah, The Case for Contamination is an excellent example of the many cultural trends that havereached various numerous parts of the world other than their original birthplace. These cross cultural boundaries, traversed by a number of factors such as big business, education, travel and politics have both enriched and diluted many cultures of today.With so many influences and advancements in today’s globalized world we are indeed becoming more and more homogenous.

As Appiah points out many people study abroad, heads of state meet with foreign dignitaries and all of this contributes to the influence of new ideas in political and intellectual thought. This is valuable as concepts for democracy and equality are espoused influencing leaders of other countries who incorporate them into their own governments. The more educated people spread their elevated ideas to others, the more the society becomes as a whole. Over time, this has and will continue to create a more globalized world.

The somewhat less beneficial effects are initiated by big business. They hope to reach as many markets as possible to increase their profits. While the youth may enjoy these modern developments there is a great deal to be said about preserving a countries rich national culture. These elements also lead to a more globalized world but at what cost. Coca Cola sold in parts of Africa and China, Disneyland and such other American things may not necessarily contribute to the culture but rather direct every nation to be as the United States is.

Is this really beneficial? Perhaps the US would benefit more by learning from other cultures, rich in tradition and values rather than being so profit driven. This leads to man’s lust for power. Imperialism started 500 years ago with ancient empires conquering other lands. Their desire to have as much power possible led to great expansion and the conquering of other lands. The Ottoman Empire, British Empire and Roman Empire all led to domination over the conquered peoples and forced influences on their own cultures (Hussain 2011).

Today as the empires are broken up into individual nation states we see the lust for power rise to the surface in other ways. The United States, seen as the greatest defender of democracy, also hopes to impose it on other countries. Such is evidenced today by our militaristic intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan. While we don’t wish to maintain any level of control in these countries as some do by hoping to include Canada and Mexico as part of the United States, we continue to be imperialistic by intentionally imposing our culture on others.

While in some ways modern society has advanced in unbounded proportions, there is still much progress to be made.