Response Paper#3.docx

Smith 1 MJ Smith Dr.Pedro M. Cameselle HIST 123 Response Paper #3 5 December 2018 Globalization or Modern Imperialism The end of the Cold War unleashed a beast unseen since the Industrial Revolution, globalization. Globalization is, at its core, the merging of economic systems, and cultures. New technologies, such as the internet, banks, international trade and migration were the driving forces behind globalization and can still be seen at work today. When I went to Canada for the first-time last year, I felt like I had not even left the US. Surrounding me were all of the same landmarks I remembered from home, the only difference the cleverly placed maple leaves on all of the various signage. It was odd to see the sense of claim that the natives had to these landmarks, as if they were theirs. I found a carbon copy culture of the one I had left. There are many people who are concerned about the negative effects, such as the one above, that globalization could have all around the world. A benefit, however, is the boost for the foreign economy. The attention of foreign investors was one of the sole reasons son in-law to the mayor of Vietnam decided to open the first McDonalds there. It also gives new experiences that traditionally wouldn’t be possible for so many people. We have so much more access today to everything on this globe.

Smith 2 However, there are drawbacks to a global culture that are equally important. It cuts away at native practices and traditions. In China, the introduction of McDonalds changed the face of food as all other businesses had to conform to McDonalds ways in an effort to still compete. Another drawback is how it can undermine the culture that is already there, never stopping until all have become the “same.” A lot of stress is placed upon local businesses and farmers especially. McDonalds is the poster child for the globalization of popular culture, synonymous with “American.” Each new place it comes into contact with, it begins to chip away at. In places such as Hong Kong you can see a drastic difference between the current generation and the previous one that cannot even stand the taste of such food. Yet still in one article it said that Chinese parents viewed McDonalds “like a stepping stone on the way to Harvard or the MIT labs.” When looking at globalization on a larger scale, it is hard to deny the comparisons to imperialism. As the youth continue to absorb all that globalization lays at their feet they are forging new bonds and alliances that are not easily broken. A global identity is being created, masked by popular culture and burger joints. McDonalds presence does more harm than good to these foreign countries in love with the golden arches. Word Count: 450