Globalisation is a
difficult concept to describe due to the multitude of facets and components.
Jan Nederveen Pieterse claims that it “crosses boundaries” including
business’s, governments, media and social movements. Pieterse further
elaborates that it is can be defined through different “prisms” with each
absorbing and displaying a facet of the human condition.
Personally, I
would articulate globalisation as the
interconnecting and interaction of different cultures, nations and demographics
through technological, verbal and physical means. But even this description
fails to describe globalisation.
The term is
constantly evolving and being shaped through technological, social and
political changes. Pieterse attempts to identify certain points of consensus
and controversy when trying to define globalisation.
Pieterse’s claims
a consensus that globalisation is shaped by technology but questions whether
globalisation is multidimensional or economic. Personally I find globalisation
a multidimensional concept and is personified in films.
The Avengers recently broke box office records in the USA but of its
worldwide gross of $1.46 Billion over $800 Million is from outside the US. The
film is VERY American, with a group of American heroes, excluding an Australian
Norse God, trying to protect New York and eventually the world from invasion.
The Film even has a man draped in the “Stars and Stripes” leading the team;
CAPTAIN AMERICA.
Contrary to the
American focus the film made nearly $90 Million in China and $50 Million in
Russia, both high box office returns, from nations that have been characterised
as enemies in the US or have actually spent a large portion of the last century
opposing each other. Globalisation at work!!!
REFERENCES:
http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=avengers11.htm
Nederveen
Pieterse, J 2004, ‘Globalization: consensus and
controversies’, ’Globalization and culture: global mélange’, Rowan &
Littlefield, Lanham, Md., pp. 7–21.
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?num=10&hl=en&biw=1219&bih=684&tbm=isch&tbnid=C_Q9DFPNMX9VSM:&imgrefurl=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-avengers-posters-marvel-chris-evans-robert-downey-jr-299071&docid=HOvAknRCmc4w9M&imgurl=http://thr4.pgmcdn.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/blog_post_349_width/2012/03/Captain_America_Avengers_Poster.jpg&w=349&h=466&ei=UiMXUNPhM6WwiQeHz4CwBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=891&vpy=257&dur=56&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=137&ty=152&sig=109255398516203709434&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=157&tbnw=118&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0,i:98
I really, really, really enjoyed your blog! It's so interesting reading about how broad and ever so evolving the definition of GLOBALISATION is, and I thoroughly enjoyed the fact you related it to such mainstream stimuli as it makes it much easier for me to understand the aspects you're coming from. Well done, and can't wait to read your next blog!
ReplyDeleteYou're right! This whole Globalisation concept is hard to describe. The use of film is a terrific way to try and explain it, as films do 'cross boundaries' - almost recede the boundaries that contain who we are as a 'nation' so to speak. I would agree with your description of globalisation, but i think it is important to keep in mind that there is maybe no clear or defined description. It's either too broad and tries to cover everything, or its too specific or personal that others wouldn't understand.
ReplyDeleteNice Work!
I liked your distinctive writing style, i.e. using films as a way of relating to the concepts from the lectures in an easily understood manner. Also, creating you own definition of the word “globalization” was remarkable. This, together with the incorporation of a relevant table from the readings and a YouTube video made the post enjoyable to read. However, a disadvantage is that the first half of the post is paraphrasing only.”
ReplyDelete