Neoliberal globalization

It starts by describing how capitalism has helped to bring about globalization by doing things such as expanding markets, raising production, and by introducing new ideas to new cultures that came along with capitalism. It also describes that it is sometimes hard to tell if these changes that are coming about are good or bad for the places they are occurring. It goes on to say that if good things didn't come with entering the global market then there wouldn't be the desire to enter the market that there is. It then tells of some of the troubles of globalization, such as the crushing and dilluting of foreign cultures. One example used is that of the Hollywood film industry that is so immense that smaller foreign film industries can have a hard time competing. Statism, the belief that the state should preserve the culture of the state, and some of the problems that arise with that are then discussed. A few of those problems being that statism brings about a freeze to culture in the state, and it also deprives states of other cultural impacts by somewhat shutting them off from other cultures. It then shows how film was able to leap boundaries that other forms of medium were not able to leap. Also, it discusses some of the debates that have risen from this new international film market, such as the controversy that arose in Germany because of the film Schindler's List.

I found it interesting that the movies the Patriot and Schindler's list caused controversy in England and Germany. I guess I can see how the film the Patriot would rub the British the wrong way, it is rather gaudy and full of overblown myths. It is always interesting to see how countries react to things that happened years ago. I also found the stance interesting that just because culture becomes a more international things doesn't necessarily mean that the culture goes away. The idea that different cultures should be spread is a good one. Also, I feel that having different cultural influences can be a really good thing. There are many things that can be learned from other cultures.

Chris N