Culture and globalization theoretical models and emerging trends

Cultural theories of globalization typically line up along one of three positions (Tomlinson, 1999; Nederveen & Pieterse, 2004)

First, theories of homogenization see a global cultural rapprochement and tend to emphasize the rise of a world beat, world cuisines, world tourism, uniform consumption patterns, and cosmopolitanism

Two factors seem to underlie the trend toward globalization: declining trade barriers and changes in communication, information, and transportation technologies

Since the end of World War II, there has been a significant lowering of barriers to the free flow of goods, services, and capital

The new model of globalization stood priorities on their head, effectively putting democracy to work for the global economy, instead of the other way around

The elimination of barriers to trade and finance became an end in itself, rather than a means toward more fundamental economic and social goals