Final Readings

In the aritcle "Postnationalism", Baymen argues that the world is going through a stage of growing postnationalism and globalism. Rather than people binding themselves to countries through nationalism, they began binding themselves to values and ideals. His argument consists of 3 common features of postnational culture: perspectivist fragmentation, autonomous non-state centered action, and micropolitics; and also 4 types of postnational solidarities: spiritual, material, humanist, and life-emancipatory.

In "Apprehending Transnationalism", Halle discusses transnationalism and globalization in the film industry. Capitalism played a major role in shaping modern day trade and globalization. Halle defends America's cultural imperialism and states that it is important to know differences when comparing Hollywood cinema with other national cinema. The author then describes patterns of internationalism and globalization of the silent film industry in Europe. Then, the addition of sound and voice (along with WWI) hindered cooperation among filmmakers in Europe, allowing Hollywood to become the hegemonic film power.

Patomäki and Teivainen's article describes cosmopolitan democracy and globalization in South American countries. It begins by explaining the consequences of a Eurocentric view of the effects of globalization and then goes on to define key terms such as globalization and civic public space. The authors then detail cosmopolitan responses to social and political problems brought forth by globalization. These responses include: changing social relations by region, trans-regionalism, and global actions. The authors conclude that globalization both impedes political possibilities, but at the same time allows for the formation of new political possibilities. However, they believe that the Mercosur region will not be successful.

I found the film article to be the most interesting. I never knew that Europe cooperated in film productions prior to the introduction of sound. I had always assumed that they just made films for their own countries, with little interaction between them with regards to the cinema industry. If Hollywood had gotten involved with the European film manufacturers (and cooperation survived the World Wars), what type of effects do you think this would have on modern cinema globally?

-Derek Leidemann