Globalization of the US Media

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Globalization of Music towards U.S. Cultural and Ideological values
Ways That Music Transcends National Boundaries through Globalization
Globalization of Film effects to U.S. Cultural and Ideological Values
Summary
Conclusion
List of References

Introduction

Globalization can be defined as a force or a process that connects more and more people across heretofore-impermeable economic and social boundaries. This means that people become connected across large distances with the assistance of information technology and human transport.

This process can also be seen as the advancement of human co-operation across national boundaries, therefore making the world ”a global village”. ”Globalization” is a term that is often used to explain today’s world. Its terminology has gradually been accepted by the greater public and various scholarly personalities have integrated it as a vocabulary it into their field of research.

Globalization has also increased the inclusiveness and the unification of economic systematization, global relations, and has led to a trend of doing business in different organizations (Appadurai, 1996, p. 41-55). Proponents of big businesses look at globalization as a blueprint of a straightforward policy agenda that promotes economic growth, increased trade, and integration into the global economy.

Therefore, from this perspective, globalization is viewed as unequivocally benevolent and corporations are seen to be leading the way towards spreading the benefits of globalization around the world. Since the advent of information revolution in the 1950s, the media is one of those industries that has undergone through a radical change so as to meet the current global demands as a result of globalization that increasingly manifests itself through media and its forms of communication.

Globalization has now penetrated and influenced the hegemonies of the media industry towards a massive following of both young and old. Cultural practices have emerged from the globalized media industry to depict social movements and communication in America and the world at large which currently has a youthful population who are spearing this sector.

The relatively youthful American population has greatly affected the supply and demand of media-related products and services with items such as music, videos, and latest films having a strong demand among the young populace. The film industry in the U.S. has a well thought-out release schedules and plots centered on young audiences as they intensely rely young viewers for the high ticket sales.

Through the praxis processes in the globalized media, an audience is able to grasp the daily inklings of a concealed system of solidarity which responds to dominant circulation of convalescent memories, rumors, crafts, humor, dance, song, and recipes that defines and mobilizes popularity.

The globalized media is also a major source of instruction for most Americans who uses the vast wealth of multiple cultures to contest or embrace social experiences in a wider context, since it also redefines the ethical norms in national, international, and regional way of doing business (Lyons, 2005, p. na) Although most governments around the world treats and views the music, film, and broadcasting emanating from the media industry as national heritage and culture, some ‘protectionist’ measures that limits foreign cultural materials have emerged though various promotional measures that are meant to promote ‘home-grown’ products.

However, the globalized American media industry embraces a multicultural society through an open system of information which has eventually led to a surge of entertainment from various cultures and ideologies since globalization basically does not exist with the absence of media and communication. Also since the trends of globalization does not choose on who should be on its receiving end, the U.S media industry and way of doing business has co-opted globalization into commercial Americanization of and by non-American media products.

The effects of globalization has also re-brandished both geographical and cultural variations through language which is a significant aspect that affects consumer love and demand for a media product, as it draws out and relates a global social experience through music videos, dance, and film, to name a few. Although the world has a diverse set of languages, globalization of the media industry continues to perpetuate and draw upon cultural and ideological values in the U.S as people warm up to the idea of other cultures through popular media consumption.

Since I have an ardent love for different genres of music and films, they have played a major role to my cultural and ideological values in the presently globalized world (Appadurai, 1996, p. 41-55). Therefore, we are going to look at the effects of music and film which are just some of my popular media sources of music. The two media consumptions do not only have an upshot in my cultural and ideological significances, but also have had a tremendous effect to the lives of Americans over the years.

Globalization of Music towards U.S. Cultural and Ideological values

Globalization of music through different mediums such as television, computers, radio, and mobile phones, just to name a few, has dramatically changed the education environment in the twenty-first century and with this change, new doors have opened for both students and teachers around the world.

It has created an environment where different cultures have converged at various centers of education for the main purpose of learning, and despite the cultural mix in learning techniques and environment, music has acted as a vehicle for communication, therefore bringing more cross-cultural understanding. It is also an ideal instance of how globalization has used technology to frequently morph the format and delivery of the media throughout America despite the ideological or cultural preferences associated with it.

Through the media-hyped television music videos and various festivals held by various communities in America, they have proceeded to be a source of interest and attraction to people who are not related to the particular community or kind of music, therefore enhancing socialization among different cultures. These kinds of interactions have made the American society become a microcosm of the entire world, and music is the only means to create a fundamental understanding of other people’s humanness (Colwell, 1991, p. 175-180). We are always defined by the kind of music we listen to and so through these cultural differences, music acts as a ground for appreciating and understanding ones identity.

For instance, the cultural mix in the United States is portrayed through the tribal music that defines the heart and soul of a particular tribe or community. A country can therefore be patently identified through the piece of music that originates from it.

Through Online social and music sites, and television channels such as MTV, Americans have managed to get an array of foreign music predilection from users and musicians around the world which has also helped the U.S society to appreciate and be considerate to other cultures by having a convivial ideological belief towards marginalized groups. In addition, minority groups in America and around the world have managed to turn dominant ideologies through music globalization by being causative to the dynamic hegemonic concessions (Benshoff &Griffin, 2004, p.14-16).

Globalization of music has demonstrated to me and most Americans that some musical parameters such as musical tempo, heart beat, breathing pace, walking or running, musical loudness, musical timbre and certain types of physical activities, reveals that various cultures share a ‘bio-acoustic relationship’. These cultural similarities can be widely seen in through various religions and religious activities.

Neurological studies also shows that music is so much related to language and its expression is very to other cultures ( McNamara, 2006, p.11-41). These similarities in cultural cultures have historical ‘deep structures’ and rationale that brings unity through the music culture. Music is also a universal language because it exists and links minds in every human culture and its roots can be traced back to ancestral times.

Through songs, music may be one of the ancient ways of interaction and communication. Music is usually composed on a personal level and experience in which one can relate and own the music because it connects the private experience into the public (Harris, 2009, p. 46-56).

The universal appeal of music has enabled it to have the power of peace building, and this is usually true in relation to matters concerning reconciliation. In different quarters, music has been used and composed for a cry against social injustices which has also led to cross-border musical collaborations. These kinds of songs can universally be associated with dire situations that calls for a mass movement, and the music will act as a unifying factor in the rally.

Ways That Music Transcends National Boundaries through Globalization

The recent innovations in technology have allowed music to further transcend the national and international boundaries especially through the mass media. This has made the mass media an important agent of cultural transmission. For instance, in the early decades of the twentieth-century, music that had originated from African Americans successfully impressed the British entertainment scene through ragtime and jazz which offered an alternative to the popular British music (LeMahieu, 1988, p.118-125).

Today with the help of the internet and its resources, music is not confined to a particular place and has the capability of ‘flying’ across national waters within a matter of seconds. Another considerable factor is that music can now be stored in different formats and devices such as Cd’s, DVD’s or even flash disks that makes it conventional to carry cross the world as opposed to the historical means which was available.

Globalization of Film effects to U.S. Cultural and Ideological Values

Film surpasses the entertainment acclamation and classification to be a global pillar of culture and language though self-expression. The globalization of film and cinema has seen a remarkable increase of film-making in the U.S in an assortment of languages in order to meet audience demands at both national and international levels (Marling, 2006, p. 18-21).

The ever changing U.S film industry has made me and most Americans embrace the variation in national origins of different genres of film which are more marketable in America since they match the budget, quality, and value with other films which are home-made. Taking a trip to the theaters reveals the level of the country’s exposure to ‘distant’ cultures although at minimal.

This is an indication that film-making has significantly grown in most countries which were not earlier presumed to be innovated for the industry. Countries such as China and India have all penetrated the thorny American film industry to expose their cultures to the whole world (Chan, 2009, p. 1-18).

This has seen most American films incorporating Chinese martial art techniques and other filming criteria in their productions. Globalization in the industry has created mutual trade agreements and partnerships in the film sector since the American audience can now appreciate the global industry at large and outside markets which were previously neglected are now a source of revenue.

Globalization is gradually wiping out the ignorance and stereotypes which were once perceived on outside film industry since they can all learn a thing or two from each other. Since film is now available in different formats and mediums with the help of technology, it further illustrates that globalization is good for market exchange, for businesses, and also to those who have a propertied stake in the economy and also good for consumers.

The rise in efficiency that globalization engenders does increase consumers’ options and reduces the price of some goods and services, this therefore means that the average consumer has more spending power and access to better variety of products ( Chan, 2009, p. 1-20).

Summary

Globalization of the media has seen a worldwide embracement of ideologies and cultures from countries around the world, including America. Our daily practices which leads to media consumption continues to extract massive revenue from consumers who also in turn acquire their allotted incorporation into the current order which disguises the associations between supremacy and mass culture.

A perception from popular cultures shows us that the globalization of media is a viable way of concentrating hegemonic debates which re-contextualizes the dependency of the public sector’s functions in cultural and media policies that will degenerate the earlier presumed fears and beliefs on other cultures since they do not promote the course of globalization. Through the popular practices that leads to media consumption, it portrays upon the magnitude and power that lies within music and film while also bringing humanity together despite cultural differences or language barrier.

Instead, media consumption has the power to socially bond different persons and nations through elements in both music and film, in which both parties can seek solace within. The history of civilization shows us that music has been the main contributing factor with a special place in spiritual and religious celebrations. The future of music is bright and far reaching especially with the expansion of technology.

Our freedom and rights were also gained through different music that elevated the demand for these basic rights. This further exemplifies the fact that without music, film, and other forms of globalized media consumption, some main elements of human communication and expression could have been taken away from us all and the little creativities that we see in life could not have been without the motivation of the media.

Conclusion

The American society at large needs a massive cloud and attitude of openness in order to perpetuate media consumption at a wider scale. The effective gains made by globalization can only be sustained and progressed if lawmakers in different countries come up with laws that will expose and cub any hegemonic practices which conveys a ‘closed system’ in the America popular media that has a stereotypes on other cultures.

These laws can be better achieved if different trade organizations and partners in the media industry have a mutual understanding on the same. These agreements and laws should not be seen to favor a particular country or trading bloc, and the minority countries, or people should not be exploited in the process.

The attitude of globalization as a trend of doing business has created an open market and new opportunities in the media consumption that if well managed, can have a positive economic and social impact to the greater American society.

List of References

Appadurai, A. (1996) Modernity at large: cultural dimensions of globalization. University of Minnesota Press. Minnesota. P. 41-55.

Benshoff, H.M. and Griffin, S. (2004) America on film: representing race, class, gender, and sexuality at the movies. Wiley-Blackwell. Massachusetts. p.14-16.

Chan, K. (2009) Remade in Hollywood: the global Chinese presence in transnational cinemas. Hong Kong University Press. Hong Kong. p. 1-20.

Colwell, R. (1991) Basic Concepts in Music Education, II. University Press of Colorado. Denver. P.175-180.

Harris, M. (2009) Music and the Young Mind: enhancing brain development and engaging learning. R&L Education. Maryland. p.46-56.

LeMahieu, D. L. (1988) A Culture for Democracy: mass communication and the cultivated mind in Britain between the wars. Oxford University Press. New York. p.118-125.

Lyons, J.K. (2005) Media Globalization and its Effect upon International Communities: Seeking a Communication Theory Perspective. Web.Volume 4, no. 7, Global Media Journal. Web.

Marling, W. (2006) How “American” is globalization? JHU Press. Maryland. p.18-21.

McNamara P. H. (2006) Where God and Science Meet: Evolution, genes, and the religious brain, Volume 1. Greenwood Publishing Group. Connecticut. p.11-41.

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