The Impact of Globalisation on Culture and Literature
1. Introduction
Nowadays, the world is more connected than ever before. People can travel to any country they want and learn about other cultures. In addition, with the development of technology, it is possible to get information about any culture without even leaving your home. All of these factors have an impact on the way people think and behave. As a result, two processes are known in culture and literature – convergence and divergence. But what’s present now? The cultural debate is explored in the essay.
2. The definition of culture and literature
First of all, it is necessary to understand the meaning of the term “culture”. Culture is a system of beliefs, values, traditions, and knowledge that shapes the way we think, feel, and behave in society. It includes everything from our beliefs about sports to our political styles and religious issues.
Secondly, we need to know what literature is. In general, literature is any form of written or spoken communication. However, when we talk about literature in academic terms, we usually refer to works of fiction, poetry, and drama.
3. The main differences between convergence and divergence
Convergence is a process by which different cultures become more alike. For example, as people from different cultures move to developed countries such as the United States or Australia, they often adopt the lifestyles of the majority culture. In addition, as trade and travel become easier, people are exposed to a greater variety of cultures, and this also leads to increased similarity between them.
Divergence is a process by which different cultures become more different. For example, as globalisation increases, many multinational companies such as Wal-Mart and IKEA are setting up branches in countries all over the world. However, they often make very little effort to adapt their products or services to local cultures, and this can lead to increased divergence between these cultures.
4. The examples of convergence and divergence in culture
The following are some examples of convergence in culture:
– The spread of democracy around the world
– The increasing number of interracial marriages
– The growth of globalisation
– The increasing use of English as a global language
– The increasing popularity of American pop culture
The following are some examples of divergence in culture:
– The rise of Islamic extremism
– The resurgence of nationalism in Europe
– The growth of China as a superpower
– The increasing use of social media
5. The examples of convergence and divergence in literature
The following are some examples of convergence in literature:
– The increasing popularity of fantasy and science fiction genres
– The increasing number of books being translated into English
– The increasing popularity of eBooks
The following are some examples of divergence in literature:
– The decline of traditional print media
– The growth of self-publishing
– The increasing popularity of niche genres such as erotica
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that both convergence and divergence are present in the world today. However, it is also clear that the trend is towards increasing globalisation and a consequent increase in the similarity between different cultures. This is likely to continue in the future as the world becomes increasingly connected.