Question 1
Globalisation has adversely affected the evolution and importance of culture at a local
level. Do you agree? Discuss critically.
“Scholars believe that culture is being globalised and that the globalisation of culture
is one that is silent” (Dedering et al, 2013). This means that culture at local level
changes right before our eyes without realising that it is happening. Dedering et al,
2013, quotes Held et al (1999:328-329) on the concept of culture, it states that culture
is a social construct. A social construct is “a set of ideas, practices, symbols or values
that reflect and embody the experiences of an organised individual group (Dedering
et al, 2013:120). Cultural globalisation is the spreading of ideas and values around the
world in a manner that it spreads and strengthen social relations. Cultural globalisation
is shared, learned and integrated. This is done through education, it is a learned
practice. An example of cultural globalisation is the use of the English language. The
English language is used globally as a medium of communication in schools, the work
place and other social spaces.
Culture is shared to the world in various ways. We live in a highly technological world.
We all share our lives and our ways of living with other on social media platforms. On
these platforms we are then able to learn the different cultures that are out there and
maybe integrate them with ours or create sub-cultures. An integration of culture in
South Africa is seen in wedding ceremonies. Many Africans believe in having two
separate wedding events, a white wedding and a traditional wedding (lobola). Other
people will choose to have both ceremonies at the same which is the integration. They
will have the lobola negotiations then proceed to have a white wedding once they have
finalised negotiations.
One of the problems that come with cultural globalisation is that people may lose their
sense of being or their sense of identity. This can be seen in language, fashion, food
and religion just to name a few. One way to ensure that culture is not lost at local level
is to educate the local people about their different languages, dance, handcrafts, and
Globalisation has adversely affected the evolution and importance of culture at a local
level. Do you agree? Discuss critically.
“Scholars believe that culture is being globalised and that the globalisation of culture
is one that is silent” (Dedering et al, 2013). This means that culture at local level
changes right before our eyes without realising that it is happening. Dedering et al,
2013, quotes Held et al (1999:328-329) on the concept of culture, it states that culture
is a social construct. A social construct is “a set of ideas, practices, symbols or values
that reflect and embody the experiences of an organised individual group (Dedering
et al, 2013:120). Cultural globalisation is the spreading of ideas and values around the
world in a manner that it spreads and strengthen social relations. Cultural globalisation
is shared, learned and integrated. This is done through education, it is a learned
practice. An example of cultural globalisation is the use of the English language. The
English language is used globally as a medium of communication in schools, the work
place and other social spaces.
Culture is shared to the world in various ways. We live in a highly technological world.
We all share our lives and our ways of living with other on social media platforms. On
these platforms we are then able to learn the different cultures that are out there and
maybe integrate them with ours or create sub-cultures. An integration of culture in
South Africa is seen in wedding ceremonies. Many Africans believe in having two
separate wedding events, a white wedding and a traditional wedding (lobola). Other
people will choose to have both ceremonies at the same which is the integration. They
will have the lobola negotiations then proceed to have a white wedding once they have
finalised negotiations.
One of the problems that come with cultural globalisation is that people may lose their
sense of being or their sense of identity. This can be seen in language, fashion, food
and religion just to name a few. One way to ensure that culture is not lost at local level
is to educate the local people about their different languages, dance, handcrafts, and
