The False Globalization.
It is said that we all currently live in the Era of Globalization. It is true that various countries constantly interact with one another. However, is globalization a correct, right, and appropriate term to be used? Free Trade Association, United Nations, and many other international organizations claim that their ultimate purpose is the fair and peaceful coexistence of the world. However, is it always true?
The Western colonialism and imperialism officially ended after the World War II. The colonies achieved their national independence. They were freed and liberated according to the textbooks. The Age of Colonialism and Imperialism was over, and the Age of Globalization has approached—people say and believe. Yet, unfortunately, what we—the world—is experiencing at this moment cannot be referred as a true globalization.
It is not globalization. It is pure westernization. Now, here I am to present myself as the walking example of the false globalization. I live in a country called Korea located in East Asia. I go to an international school. Teachers punish me whenever I speak Korean in the school. I receive western education. I read Jane Eyre in English. I speak English. I write English essays. I dress in western clothing. I eat hamburgers. I drink coca-cola. I use macbook. I watch Lost and Gossip Girl. I am writing this post in English and will post it up on wordpress.com, a western site with layouts written in English.
The stronger players (also known as the Westerners) want to call this phenomenon as globalization, because they desire to justify their continued, yet newly formed imperialism. The weaker players (the non-Westerners) hope to call this phenomenon as globalization as well, since they do not want to acknowledge their weaknesses and do not want to admit that they are doing nothing but imitating the West.
Ah, globalization! What a sweet-sounding and comforting term it is!
May 7th, 2008 at 8:55 am
It all began when US held the power, and they were nimble enough to spread the language before collapsing. Sadly, it is a reality that a world must choose ‘one way’ that everyone should bear in common in order to communicate easily and most people chose English.
But I think the world is becoming more ‘globalized’ as in your definition because many white people tend to learn chinese or japanese (why not korean) these days.
If there was a perfect internet translator, many people would have sticked to the original and indigenous language in internet forums. There’s no such thing that’s why the people have to collaborate in unison under English.
One thing I agree with you most is that we’re receiving ‘American’ education (Why is US history mandatory?) especially when we go to korea International school.
May 8th, 2008 at 4:59 am
It’s weird seeing the word “imperialism” out of a AP World History textbook.. but I like this post because I never thought about the effects of imperialism still existing today, but just thought of it as history.