GLOBALIZATION: THE ULTIMATE HOMOGENIZER?

Globalization is the colossal process of integration. Increased integration leads to more efficient communication and productivity between parties across the world. One is able to socially, politically, or economically affect more people more efficiently. While globalization seems like the logically appropriate international system to exercise in order to further advance human civilization, do we have pay a price for it? Thomas Freedman, a popular analyst of globalization, has stated “…[Globalization has] unleashed forest-crushing forces of development, which if left unchecked has the potential to destroy the environment and uproot culture…Because globalization as a culturally homogenizing and environment-devouring force is coming on so fast, there is a real danger that in just a few decades it will wipe out the ecological and cultural diversity that took millions of years of human and biological forces to produce.” Reading this quote made me reevaluate my initial thought on globalization. As nations and cultures become increasingly interconnected, they also become more similar. While being able to exercise a greater level of efficiency is great, individuality and cultural diversity is also important. The lack of diversity leads to “groupthink.” Everyone starts thinking and acting alike. As people’s opinions, morals, and ways of living begin to resemble each other’s, dissenting ideas which could be better or more correct that the common ideas of society also disappear. This, in turn, could hinder the advancement of civilization. While globalization could catalyze human development, unchecked globalization could eventually lead to a monocultural world incapable of advancement. As globalization gains greater influence upon our political, financial, and social systems, we should be careful to ensure that individuality survives the integration.