TO WHAT DEGREE IS GLOBALIZATION SYNONYMOUS WITH AMERICANIZATION IN THE MODERN WORLD?

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December 9, 2011

To what degree is globalization synonymous with Americanization in the modern world?

The term globalization has now become common with the interaction of world’s cultures and ease of access to different parts of the world due to improved technology in the sectors of transport and communication (Sheila, 2004). The continued interrelationship between people from all walks of life and their different cultures due to removal of communication and transport barriers can aptly be referred to globalization. This is an age where languages, ideas, and popular way of living spread freely from one continent to another.

Globalism to high extent is synonymous to Americanization. Americanization is also synonymous to American imperialism in many dimensions though not entirely. This is the continued cultural, military and economic influence and interference of America in other countries (Sheila, 2004). America is taking over the world by controlling almost if not all of the aspects of different nations in the world. This paper is going to bring out the extent to which globalization is synonymous to Americanization by highlighting American involvement in the world affairs in almost all spheres of life.

Political influence

America has had control in the political arena of many countries around the world. Due to improved technology in the areas of communication, America is using this development to shape the political structures and landscapes of the world. Nowadays it is not easy in various countries around for a person to attain political power without the support of the American government (Doyle, 1986). It seems as if the whole world has been reduced into one country with Americans being the chiefs and the lords. The essence of enhanced communication that contributes to globalization is to make easy information exchange thus spreading important information for development. Americans though have taken charge of this platform to shape the political landscapes of other countries. For instance, recently, American aided Libyan rebels in overthrowing an existing government. They also played a major role in the ousting of Egypt’s Mubarak and Iraq’s Sadam Hussein. This is the American foreign policy. The policy has been associated with modern American imperialism.

Cultural influence

Globalization has an element of different cultures spreading across nations in the world. It is vital to note that not all cultures spread but only the dominant ones. The dominant cultures are from countries with a superior economic power than the rest. It is no doubt this concept is similar to Americanization has American culture is the most dominant across many spheres of life in different countries (Ferguson, 2004). American movie production companies are the most dominant and superior of all the world’s production companies. Hollywood, Disneyland, Warner Bros, 20th century Fox to name just but a few control the largest percentage of movie production. This not only aids in globalization but also helps spread the American culture far and wide. The house powerful media houses are also agents of globalization and Americanization. Popular among them is the Cable News Network (CNN) which is an international news agency which presents world news but whose content has so much to do with America.

Military influence

America has been involved in almost or of the world’s deadliest war fare. This includes the two world wars where US played a role in their starting but covered by their international media. Mirza (2007) notes that America has been spread its policy even in military terms. Americans have been involved in the world’s major wars of which they join the stronger side or the side which supports their interests thus suppressing the rest. American hunger for military control has been too much that two of the American generals, Douglas MacArthur and George Patton wanted to prolong the Second World War. MacArthur later was involved in the invasion of North Korea in 1950 after it declared war of South Korea as no one in the US puppet institution UN was present to go against that decision. The US military presence has been everywhere the globe, with bases in various European, African and Asian countries. The US satellites which in essence are supposed to aid in communication are instead used by the United States military for espionage.

Economic influence

Globalization has also been aided by the world market economy which no doubt is controlled by America. The five largest multinational corporations which control the world’s markets are all in the U.S. Companies such as McDonalds, Wal-Mart and major oil companies dominate the world market. It is true that trade is also contributing to globalization, but in essence it is U.S controlled trade that is dominant in the world (Reich, 1992). The U.S has been very vocal in issuing trade sanctions to countries which do not identify with its ideologies, most notably the ideology of capitalism. The U.S was very vocal in demonizing and destruction of the communist ideology which was also a viable economic ideology if only the proper structures were instituted. United States control of the world economy is in fact Americanization and globalization in a negative sense. Countries like North Korea, Iran and even Zimbabwe have been threatened with economic sanctions by the U.S as they at one time or another against the U.S foreign policy. Though The South African sanctions helped eradicate apartheid, most sanctions from the U.S are issued with an intention to control. The U.S. also controls the world bodies whose mandate is felt across the boundaries. These bodies include IMF, World Bank and the United Nations. Analyzing this situation no doubt shows clearly that the concept globalization is just a cover for the U.S dominance of the world. America has grown into a mighty modern empire and not just about to relent in its bid to make it grow (Ferguson, 2004). The notion that the world is being reduced into a global village is in essence being reduced to American subjects.

Reference list

Doyle, Michael. Empires. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1986.

Ferguson, Nial. Colossus- The Rise and Fall of the American Empire. New York: Penguin

Books, 2004.Mirza, Rocky. The Rise and Fall of the American Empire: A Re- Interpretation of

history, Economics and Philosophy: 1492-2006. Indiana: Trafford Publishing, 2007.

Reich, Robert. The Work of the Nations, Preparing Ourselves for the 21st Century Capitalism.

Toronto: Alfred Knopf publishers, 1992.

Sheila, Croucher. Globalization and Belonging: The Politics of Identity in a Changing World.

Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield, 2004.