GUO YING-- Reading 2: What is the relation between culture and globalization？

 1. Summary

Through reading the article Cultural globalization, I have learned that globalization is not only an economic and political phenomenon, but also has a profound impact on the spread, change and integration of cultures. I have summarized the following points that I think are important.                                1. Globalization spreads and mixes cultures: Globalization accelerates the cross-border spread of cultures. Through technology, trade, migration and other means, cultural elements from around the world are rapidly spreading and interweaving. This kind of cultural flow makes the cultural elements of different regions influence each other and form new cultural forms. Tomlinson emphasized the process of cultural hybridization, which refers to the fusion of different cultures in the context of globalization and the creation of new cultural forms.                                                                                          2. Cultural homogenization and cultural diversity: Globalization brings about a duality. On the one hand, it contributes to a kind of cultural homogenization, that is, many parts of the world begin to share similar cultural products and lifestyles (pop music, fast food, etc.). On the other hand, globalization has also led to the revival and diversity of local cultures. Instead of simply suppressing local cultures, globalization has created a platform where different cultures can be seen and spread on the global stage.                                                                                3. Cultural identity and globalization: Globalization has affected people's cultural identity. As cultures spread across borders, individual and group identities become more complex and multilayered. People may identify with both a local culture and some kind of global culture, making cultural identities more fluid and flexible.

- The relationship between culture and globalization

1.The relationship between culture and globalization is dynamic and mutually influencing. Globalization has accelerated the exchange and integration of cultures through various ways, making cultures from all over the world penetrate each other. However, this process is not a one-way repression, but the creation of new cultural forms and expressions. Globalization has not only changed the way people consume culture, but also affected the production and re-creation of culture, making cultural identity more diverse and complex. Globalization is therefore both a driving force for cultural homogenization and a catalyst for cultural diversity. In short, I believe that the relationship between culture and globalization includes not only cultural assimilation and mixing, but also the revival and re-creation of local culture in the global context.

2. Globalization promotes the communication between cultures and leads to the mixing of different cultural elements. This phenomenon can be seen everywhere in everyday life, such as the fusion of food, the mixing of musical styles, and the cross-cultural elements in fashion. Tomlinson calls this phenomenon cultural mixing, which means that globalization does not simply make cultures around the world identical, but creates new cultural forms through cross-cultural contact.

3. Globalization has in some cases brought about cultural homogenization, that is, the gradual convergence of cultures in different regions, and more and more people around the world are consuming the same cultural products and following similar lifestyles. At the same time, however, globalization has inspired a sense of preservation of cultural diversity and indigenous culture. Many countries and regions begin to emphasize cultural revival and the protection of local culture, trying to maintain their own cultural characteristics in the tide of globalization.

4. Cultural exchanges brought about by globalization have not always been peaceful. In some cases, cultural interaction may lead to cultural conflict. For example, the spread of globalized culture may conflict with indigenous traditional values or religious ideas, causing social and political tensions. However, globalization also provides opportunities for understanding and dialogue between different cultures. Through cross-cultural communication, people can better understand and respect other cultures, thus reducing prejudice and misunderstanding

All in all, I have realized through reading this article that the relationship between culture and globalization is complex and multifaceted. Globalization promotes the spread, exchange and integration of cultures through various channels, but also brings challenges such as cultural homogenization, cultural identity ambiguity and cultural conflicts. However, globalization has not completely eliminated the diversity of cultures. While promoting cultural mixing, it has also stimulated the protection and revival of local cultures. Therefore, the relationship between culture and globalization is two-way: on the one hand, globalization makes cultures more integrated; on the other hand, it also promotes the diversity and difference of local culture.