Globalizing Cultures

Abstract

There are many different ideas about how globalization is impacting culture, and they can be categorized by theme: hybridization, homogenization, or differentialism. Cultural hybridization is something like music remixing. It takes elements from separate cultures and mixes them to create a new culture, producing a third entity that is not the same as its antecedents. The homogenization, says that globalization is causing all cultures to become the same. Theorists arguing for homogenization say that this cultural mixing is giving rise to one single culture. Homogenization is a centripetal force. According to cultural differentialism, also called cultural divergence, globalization causes interregional and international conflict. Cultural differentialism may arise from a fear of homogenization, or may be a version of cultural fundamentalism. Jan Nederveen Pieterse explores the sociology of hybrid identities in a globalizing society. He has written extensively on the theoretical and empirical study of cultures and globalization.