Globalization, Culture, and Media

• An idea is a set of instructions to produce a new good, enhance quality, or reduce costs.
• Unlike goods or services, ideas are nonrival and can be used simultaneously by multiple producers.

Global Culture and Media

• The media industry is well-suited for globalization, enabling global trade without political borders.
• Media, being a cultural product, can influence the recipient's culture through its transfer.
• Technology drives globalization by facilitating quick communication, efficient transportation, and coordinated marketing, supporting the growth of globalized media.

Media's Five Stages of Development

• Oral Communication
• Script
• Printing Press
• Electronic Media
• Digital Media

Oral Communication

• Oral communication is a key tool for understanding different cultures worldwide.
• Historically facilitated markets, trade, and cross-continental trade routes.
• Language is closely tied to culture; speaking a language often means interacting with its culture.
• Understanding a culture necessitates understanding its language, which is learned and culturally transmitted.

Script

• Script, whether written or carved, has allowed humans to share ideas and knowledge over vast distances and time.
• Script enabled the permanent codification of economic, cultural, religious, and political practices.
• It made knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors available for transmission to future generations and other cultures.

Printing Press

• The printing press allowed continuous production, reproduction, and circulation of print materials.
• This period of media development impacts globalization by transforming institutions like schools, markets, businesses, churches, and governments.

Electronic Media

• This type of media includes the telegraph, telephone, radio, film, and television.
• The reach of this broadens perspectives in economic, political, and cultural globalization processes.
• The invention of the transistor ushered in the electronic age.
• The power of the transistor led to more efficient and effective communication.

Digital Media

• Digital relies on digital codes, which are created, modified, and stored on electronic devices.
• It is transmitted via the internet and computer networks, often referred to as new media.
• It includes content organized and distributed on the internet, social media, and computers.

Outcomes of Globalization on Culture

• Cultural Differentialism
• Cultural Convergence
• Cultural Hybridity
• Glocalization

Cultural Differentialism

• This perspective sees cultural differences are deemed fixed and immutable.
• Interactions between Western and non-Western civilizations can lead to clashes, such as the 9/11 attacks and subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• This is considered a conflict between different cultural values.

Cultural Convergence

• Globalization leads to cultures' blending and unification, where the culture of powerful countries (like the West) becomes dominant.
• Examples include K-pop culture, the global spread of technology, sports participation, and the use of the English language.

Cultural Hybridity

• This involves cultures' blending and fusion, which creates new cultural forms like language, food, fashion, music, and art.
• Fast-food chains like McDonald's and KFC that adapt their menus to local tastes are an example.

Glocalization

• This refers to adapting global products or services to fit local markets.
• It combines "globalization" and "localization."
• Examples include cars adjusted for local emission standards or fast-food chains offering region-specific menu items.

The Globalization of Religion

• Religion is a system of beliefs, practices, and worldviews connecting humanity to spirituality and moral values
• Religion often involves worship of a higher power and serves as the foundation of modern republics.
• Religion is a cultural system, including ethics, rituals, prophecies, and organizations, that relates people to the supernatural or transcendental elements.

The Most Known Religions Across The World

• Religions differ in many respects, including how each religion is organized and the belief system it upholds.
• Other differences include the nature or belief in a higher power, the history of the world/religion's origin, and the use of sacred texts/objects.

Christianity

• It is the largest religion in the world.
• Founded 2000 years ago in Palestine with Jesus of Nazareth, a charismatic leader who taught his followers about caritas.
• "Caritas" means charity or treating others as you would like to be treated.

Islam

• It is a monotheistic religion believing in one God, Allah.
• Islam follows the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, seen as a messenger, not divine.
• The Quran is the sacred text, sharing stories with Judaism and Christianity.
• Muslims follow five key practices known as the "Five Pillars".

Five Pillars of Islam

• Allah is the only god, and Muhammed is his prophet.
• Daily prayer
• Helping those in poverty
• Fasting as a spiritual practice
• Pilgrimage to the holy center of Mecca

Hinduism

• It is the oldest religion in the world.
• It originated in the Indus River Valley with roughly 1 billion followers and is the world's 3rd largest religions.
• Hindus believe in divided power that can manifest different entities.

Buddhism

• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who sought spiritual enlightenment by giving up an affluent life.
• At 35, he meditated under a sacred fig tree and achieved enlightenment, becoming known as Buddha, or the Enlightened One.
• Buddha's followers are drawn to his teachings and meditation.
• He established a monastic order, and his teachings encourage leading a moral life.

Confucianism

• It was the official religion of China until 1949, developed by Confucius, when the Communist leadership abolished religious practices.
• Confucius taught self-discipline, respect for authority/tradition, and kindness toward others (Jen).
• His teachings are collected in "The Analects."
• Some view Confucianism as a social system that focuses on moral wisdom without specific worship practices.

Taoism

• Founded by Lao Tzu, it emphasizes the pursuit of inner peace and harmony.
• "Tao" means "way" or "path."
• It promotes virtues like compassion and moderation and introduces Yin and Yang.
• It differs from Confucianism by focusing on spiritual well-being and a deeper understanding of life, unlike Confucianism's focus on practical conduct rules.

Judaism

• Judaism became monotheistic after the Jews' exodus from Egypt in the 13th century, worshiping one God, Yahweh.
• Central is the covenant, a special relationship with God.
• The Torah is the sacred text and is the first five books of the Bible in Christianity.
• The Talmud is the oral interpretation of the Torah, emphasizing moral behavior and actions over beliefs in the afterlife.

Tools of Uniting People All Over The World On Religious Basis

• Books
• Movies
• Cell phone apps
• Social networks
• Charity funds
• Special internet sites
• Religious schools

Types of Religious Organizations

• Religious organizations are structured with terms like ecclesia, denomination, and sect.
• These definitions are not fixed.
• Religions often transition through organizational phases.
• Christianity began as a cult, became a sect, and is now considered an ecclesia.

Cults

• Cults are often referred to as new religious movements (NRMs).
• Typically, cults are secretive, highly controlling, and led by a charismatic leader.
• In the U.S., the term carries a negative connotation.
• Many religions began as cults before growing into larger groups.
• Cults are part of a continuum that blends sects' characteristics and denominations.

Sects

• Sects are breakaway groups challenging larger society or contesting specific doctrines, claiming a return to fundamentals.
• As membership grows, a sect becomes a denomination.
• Sects are small and new, like cults.
• Many well-known Christian denominations in the U.S., like Methodists and Baptists, began as sects.
• A sect starts as a denomination offshoot.
• Some sects, like Jehovah's Witnesses, are "established sects" between sect and denomination.

Denomination

• Denomination is a large mainstream religious organization.
• A denomination is not official or state-sponsored.
• Denomination is one religion among many; for example, Baptist, African Methodist Episcopal, Catholic, and Seventh-day Adventists are all Christian denominations.

Ecclesia

• The term originally refers to a political assembly of citizens in ancient Athens, Greece, now it refers to a congestion.
• In sociology, the term refers to a religious group that most members of society belong to.
• Ecclesia is considered a national religion, holds a religious monopoly, and is allied with state and secular powers.

Comparing religious organizations

• One way to remember the terms is to think of cults, sects, denominations, and ecclesia representing a continuum with increasing influence in society.
• Cults are least influential, and ecclesia are most influential.

Conclusion

• Globalization spread religion efficiently across borders using technological tools.
• Small new movements reach global audiences, and celebrities promote beliefs.
• As people/cultures move globally, ideas are shared, and religious globalization grows/evolves through media.