Cultural Imperialism

Cultural imperialism is when a nation imposes it's cultural values onto another, usually weaker, nation.

Cultural imperialism can be a formal policy created to help enforce it’s values, or it can just be a general attitude .

Cultural Imperialism relates strongly to colonialism: the cultural products of the first world "invade" the third-world and "conquer" local culture.

History

Empires throughout history have been established using war and physical force, military imperialism. In the long term populations have tended to be absorbed into the dominant culture, or gain its attributes indirectly.

One of the first known examples of cultural imperialism was extinction of the Etruscan culture and language caused by the influence of the Roman Empire.

Another example would be the Nazis in the 2nd World War using propaganda to enforce their beliefs.

Representatives of al-Qaida stated that their attacks on the US and other Western superpowers were motivated by a perceived US cultural imperialism.

Receiving Culture Imperialism Cultures that are receiving culture imperialism

either see it as a threat, or as something good that will enhance their culture.

This will depend on whether the culture that is imposing it’s culture onto another uses a formal policy (active) or a more passive attitude. More formal attitudes and policies can seem forced which seems as a threat to the culture receiving. Whereas a more relaxed method of culture imperialism may seem to compliment the existing culture.

Examples in Media

It is believed that certain media conglomerates publish media products that are popular with their political beliefs and personal interests to try and enforce these views. For instance Rupert Murdoch’s publications generally have conservative leanings in comparison with other national newspapers.

Another general example is how a lot of the world has become “westernized” due to masses of American media being very accessible, dominating world media markets and enforcing their views. This has been shown to be very unpopular in places of the world, particularly the Middle East.

Recently the film Avatar, which made $80m at the box office, was banned in China due to the theme of the film being about dictatorship and forced evictions mirrored what is going on in China at the moment.

Examples in Media

This video shows how an American way of living has spread around the world through fast food.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmXUmdrhAIk

Effects of Americanisation and Culture Imperialism in the UK

Due to American media, especially music, television and movies, being a huge part of media in the UK, popular culture in the UK has been influenced by this. Meaning that the way we talk, write, the music and films produced in the UK is largely influenced by the US.

Unlike a lot of other countries around the world that have been victims of Americanisation, the UK have not shown as much of a negative reaction to it. This may be due to both countries being close politically and sharing separate views, or has this even been influenced by America?