global east Asia response paper (max. 400 words)

Steger, Globalization, chap. 5

Global East Asia so far Chap. 1 Globalization: a contested concept Chap. 2 Globalization in history: is globalization a new phenomenon? Chap. 3 The economic dimension of globalization Chap. 4 The political dimension of globalization

Steger Chap. 5: The cultural dimension of globalization � Wed. Nov. 14 Chap. 5 Recitation � Chap. 5 Response paper due: Tues. Nov. 13,

10:00 PM

Chap. 5 readings Nov. 6 Tues. lecture: Social convergence and the appeal

of pop culture

� Reading: Nissim Kadosh Otmazgin, “Japanese Popular Culture in East and Southeast Asia: Time for a

Regional Paradigm?” apjjf.org (2008) Nov. 8 Thurs. lecture: Pop culture and social change

� Reading: Millie Creighton, “Through the Korean Wave looking glass: gender, consumerism, transnationalism,

tourism ref lecting Japan-Korea relations in global East

Asia.” apjjf.org (2016)

Electronic devices OFF

What is culture?

An aspect of social life

What is culture?

Concerned with the symbolic construction, articulation, and dissemination of meaning

Major forms of symbolic expression

� Language � Music � Images

Culture: 3 aspects 1. Human culture: symbolic expression, universal to

all human societies (Steger) 2. Cultural sphere: symbolic expression in one group

of societies that separates it from another group � “Western culture,” “Asian culture” “Islamic

culture” 3. Tribal/National culture: symbolic expression in one

society that separates it from other societies � “Chinese culture,” “Japanese culture,” “Korean

culture”

RU Asian Languages & Cultures https://alc.rutgers.edu/

Symbols of “Chinese Culture” � Chinese cuisine � Chinese writing system & calligraphy � Great Wall of China � Panda bears

China’s symbol of “soft power”

Stylized symbol

Manipulated symbol

Homo sapiens—modern humans � Anatomically modern humans emerged

about 315,000 years ago � Behavioral modernity arose about 40,000

years ago, with evidence of symbolic thought � Language, figurative art, religion, music

� These behaviors are thought to have built unity in the group and helped early homo sapiens to survive

Vulture bone flute: 35,000 years old

Lascaux cave paintings 20,000 yrs.

Homo sapiens vs. Neanderthals

Homo sapiens vs. Neanderthals Neanderthals died out less than 30,000 years ago � Hypothesis 1: they were eclipsed by the

social & cultural prowess of homo sapiens, who were capable of symbolic thought

� Hypothesis 2: homo sapiens were better able to adapt to climate change (cold)

Neanderthal symbolic thought 50,000 year old shell necklace (Spain)

Chapter 5: The cultural dimension of globalization Steger’s discussion organized around three

important themes

Theme 1 1. The tension between sameness and

difference in the emerging global culture

Theme 2

2. The crucial role of transnational media corporations in disseminating popular culture � Global cultural f lows are generated and

directed by global media empires that rely on powerful communication technologies

Clickers ON

Q: What was Steger’s 3rd important theme? A. Globalization of sports B. Globalization of languages C. Globalization of artificial intelligence (AI)

Theme 3

3. The globalization of languages � Some languages are increasingly used in

international communication while others disappear

Theme 3: Shifting global patterns of language use � The globalization of languages is a process

by which some languages are used more in international communication while others decline or disappear

“Dutch language besieged by English at university” 10.31.18 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe- 46030112

“Linguicide” So extensive is the spread of English in Dutch universities, a group of lecturers has predicted a looming "linguicide" and demanded the government in The Hague impose a moratorium banning universities from creating any additional English language courses until an official impact analysis has been conducted.

Professor’s view—pro "I don't mind. Most of the literature is in English," says Mr Van Rijnsoever. "So for me as a teacher it's not that much of a problem because we also do research in English.”

Professor’s view—con "It's our identity, Dutch," complains Annette de Groot, professor of linguistics at the University of Amsterdam. "What happens to the identity of a people of a country where the native language is no longer the main language of higher education?”

Becoming homogenous "We're shifting to a more and more Anglo- Saxon view of the world. Universities want diversity, different perspectives. What you get is exactly the opposite. The Anglicisation means you end up with a much more homogeneous world."

Rector’s view Utrecht University Rector Henk Kummeling argues that moving towards English has been an organic process but accepts that when competing internationally, it makes sense to use a world language. "Dutch culture will stay for centuries. When we talk as Dutchmen amongst ourselves, we speak Dutch."

Student’s view Oskar agrees, saying he enjoyed forging friendships with students from the UK, Ireland and Italy. "Personally I don't have any troubles with not speaking Dutch or with Dutch culture, which is maybe disappearing a bit.” But he says there has to be a limit, and suggests Groningen University in the north has taken in too many international students.

Theme 3: Five key variables 1. Number of languages is shrinking 2. Migration and travel spreads languages 3. Foreign language learning disperses

languages beyond borders 4. Language use on Internet is sign of both

dominance and variety 5. Scientific publications impact intellectual

communities differently depending on language of publication

Language extinction is parallel to species extinction: Globalization creates “environmental” pressures that impact languages and life- forms similarly

� Human cultural ecologies � Earth’s natural ecologies

� Chapter 6: Ecological dimensions of globalization.

Three Hypotheses 1. As a few languages achieve global dominance

(English, Chinese, Spanish), other languages will decline and even disappear.

2. Even as global languages emerge, local languages will survive.

3. The powerful Anglo-American culture industry will make English (“Globish”) the dominant global language of the 21st century. � As of 1990, English used by only 350 million native

speakers, 400 million speakers of English as a second language; but 80% of Internet content is in English.

Despacito’s 2017 breakthrough "Despacito" is the most viewed YouTube video by views (5.65 billion) � Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee in Spanish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQP7kiw5Fk 4.41

� With Justin Bieber in Spanish and English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72UO0v5ESUo 3.49

� Despacito in six different languages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEWpyfAiXFw 4.01

Daddy Yankee in the news “First Latino artist to reach No. 1 on Spotify” 10.30.18

https://www.miami.com/miami-news/daddy- yankee-is-the-first-latino-artist-to-reach-no- 1-on-spotify-and-now-hes-got-a-guinness- world-record-for-it-200039/

Group discussion: Which best explains Despacito phenomenon? Hypothesis 1: A few languages achieve global dominance (English, Chinese, Spanish); other languages will decline and even disappear. Hypothesis 2: Global languages emerge; local languages will survive. Hypothesis 3: English becomes the dominant global language of the 21st century.

Clickers ON

Q: Which hypothesis best explains the Despacito phenomenon? A. Hypothesis 1: A few languages achieve global

dominance (English, Chinese, Spanish); other languages will decline and even disappear.

B. Hypothesis 2: Global languages emerge; local languages will survive.

C. Hypothesis 3: English becomes the dominant global language of the 21st century.

Theme 1: Tension between sameness/difference

Does globalization make people around the world more alike or more different? � Cultural rainbow (differences maintained) � Cultural melting pot (leads to sameness)

“Globalizers”

� Globalizers argue that globalization makes people more alike, or “homogenous,” and therefore leads to cultural sameness

Clickers ON

According to Steger’s discussion in chapter 5, which group thinks cultural sameness is undesirable? A. Globalization skeptics B. Optimistic globalizers C. Pessimistic globalizers

Globalizers

� Globalizers argue that globalization makes people more alike, or “homogenous” � Pessimistic globalizers see cultural

homogenization as undesirable � Optimistic globalizers see it as desirable

Steger’s criticism of cultural imperialism Global spread of American culture is a form of cultural imperialism � Power of Western/Global North “culture

industry” based on New York, Hollywood, London, and Milan

� Cf. Despacito and Justin Bieber’s contribution to its global success

Globalization is not a vertical hierarchy

global

local

Globalization is a horizontal relationship, but there is a power asymmetry

global local

Optimistic globalizers

� Optimistic globalizers see cultural homogenization as a good thing, leading to expansion of democracy and free markets, and key to achieving a global imaginary

Glocalization Global and local cultural elements interact and produce (new) cultural hybrids � This cultural hybridization is most visible in

fashion, music, dance, film, food, and language � Chap. 2 Allen & Sakamoto “Sushi reverses

course” � Despacito; Rivers of Babylon line dance

Steger: Globalization has a contradictory impact on culture

Globalization may lead to BOTH � loss of traditional symbolic expression

through homogenization AND � creation of new symbolic expression

through hybridization

Steger: Three effects of cultural interaction

1. Sameness, homogenization 2. Hybridity, glocalization 3. New cultural expression

Pieterse: Three effects of cultural interaction (2009) 1. Homogenization (=Steger’s sameness) 2. Hybridization (=Steger’s hybridity, new

cultural expression) 3. Polarization (⌿Steger)

Pieterse: Awareness of difference = function of globalization

� “Growing awareness of cultural difference is a function of globalization. Increasing cross- cultural communication, mobility, migration, trade, investment, tourism, all generate awareness of cultural difference.” Pieterse, p. 60