Impact of Globalization on Cultures - Essay Example

?Impact of Globalization on Cultures Globalization has positive impact on the societal cultures. However, not all the impacts of globalization are positive with some being negative either in the short term or in the long term. Whereas many positive attributes relate to globalization, it is arguably true that such attributes are universally positive to the expense of others. This paper discusses the impact of globalization on cultures. If we consider cultural anthropology that analyses the way of life, values, beliefs, economies, technologies, and cultural practices, mixed economic and political impacts of globalization exist in our cultures. Globalization has significant impacts on health standards, education, increased programs and support, entertainment, trade, employment, ethical and legal issues, environment, market competition, religion, and spread of cultures, food, and security. Through globalization, people of different cultures can mingle freely and conduct their business via the set international standards hence accruing major social, economic, and political benefits. Ideally, globalization has enhanced fair competition in the markets thus promoting the availability of high quality goods in the market. Though these benefits have attached costs and demerits, the positive impacts of globalization outweigh the negative impacts. Nevertheless, globalization and its impact come out clearly in relation to World Trade Organization. World Trade Organization (WTO) is among the most influential international organization that deals with rules governing global trade. WTO constantly assumes the role of global government where it sets out the policies of economic globalization. It ensures the free flow of trade among all cultures and nations thus increasing global integration, globalization, and the growth of world economies as well as guarding national sovereignty, labor rights, social justice, human rights, cultures, and environmental protection across the globe (Effland et al, 2008). However, as stated herein, the impact of globalization on cultures is not universally positive. Arguments that globalization has led to increased child labor and slavery in corrupt and non-accountable nations are very reasonable. Indeed, there are facts that child labor and slavery are very rampant in developing countries. These countries import this labor from poor nations through globalization at no or very little cost (Effland et al, 2008). In addition, globalization has led to fierce competitive global markets that conduct business unethically. Moreover, through globalization, the terrorists have gained access to many countries including America and commissioned fatal attacks. Most significantly, globalization has led to the undermining of the indigenous culture by western adventures through acts of colonization and imperialism. As a result, colonized states are now prone to cultural invasion subject to the muted cultural disorientation. At the same time, the free production, distribution, and consumption of cultural goods and services has negatively led to commercialization of culture. Furthermore, globalization has led to the spread of fast foods across the world leading to adverse health impacts. Nevertheless, the positive impacts of globalization on culture supersede the negative impacts with a huge margin. In the medical field, the impact of globalization is synonymous. It affects the health care services and the health care professionals. There is convenient movement of patients from one country to another in search of better and cheaper health services. For example, some countries like India offer cheaper and professional surgical services than the US hence leading to medical tourism (International Society for Quality in Health Care, 2005). This program attracts many benefits to the patients who cannot afford expensive treatment in their home countries. We equally have the free movement of medical professional from one country to another for purposes of rendering treatment and in search of better pay. However, this aspect can deny the parent nations that are usually underdeveloped better health services to its citizens. Another positive impact of globalization is the spread of education where all genders can now seek for higher education from the best educational facilities in the world. In the recent times, we have seen many people from the poor and developing nations pursue their education in the developed countries like the US. Similarly, individuals can now access online education via the internet. Furthermore, globalization allows the spread of knowhow and innovations from the developed nation to the developing nations. Notably, the spread of medical innovations is significant in according better treatment to all nations. In addition, there has been considerable integration of culture, preservation of culture, quick access to various cultural heritages via the internet because of globalization. Globalization has equally led to the introduction of high quality goods in the market, new industries, and subsequent economic growth. The introduction of new industries further creates employment and investment opportunities in the developing nations (Effland et al, 2008). Moreover, globalization promotes the investment and capital flows where countries like India that attract foreign investment thus giving developed countries like US good investment proposition. In matters of security, globalization boosts world security in that the international courts of justice and the understanding between the security agencies of reference countries allows the apprehending of terrorists from their hind outs thus curbing global terrorism. The arrest and killing of Osama bin Laden and Sadam Hussein are relevant examples. The institutionalization of foreign trade through the WTO ensures mutual business understanding, control, and regulation of world trade. Most significantly, globalization allows the creation of international organizations like the UN habitat and UNEP that monitors climate change and wildlife. In conclusion, globalization allows the creation of a new culture that is more correct and up to date with the current cultural and technological changes. Works Cited Effland, A et al 2008. World Trade Organization and Globalization Help Facilitate Growth in Agricultural Trade. Amber Waves, Viewed 13, June 2012, < http://www.ers.usda.gov/amberwaves/june08/features/wto.htm > International Society for Quality in Health Care, 2005. Globalization in health care: is international standardization of quality a step toward outsourcing?. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 17(4), pp. 277-279. . Read More