Human Geography By James Rubenstein

1. Human GeographyBy James Rubenstein • Chapter 4 • Key Issue 4 • Why Does Globalization of Popular Culture Cause Problems? S. Mathews

2. International diffusion of popular culture has led to two problems. • The diffusion of popular culture may threaten the survival of traditional folk culture in many countries. • Popular culture may be less responsive to the diversity of local environments and consequently may generate adverse environmental impacts. S. Mathews

3. Threat to Folk Culture When people turn from folk to popular culture, they may also turn away from the society’s traditional values. S. Mathews

4. Loss of Traditional Values • The Western business suit has been accepted as the uniform for business executives and bureaucrats around the world. • Wearing clothes typical of MDCs is controversial in some Middle Eastern countries. • Muslim women in MDCs are encouraged to discard the black Chador in favor of skirts and blouses. S. Mathews

5. Chador S. Mathews

6. Change in Traditional Role of Women The global diffusion of popular culture threatens the subservience of women to men that is embedded in many folk customs. S. Mathews

7. Change in Traditional Role of Women The concepts of legal equality and availability of economic and social opportunities outside the home have become widely accepted in more developed countries, even where women in reality continue to suffer from discriminatory practices. S. Mathews

8. Negative Impact on Women • Contact with popular culture has brought an increase in prostitution in LDCs. • International prostitution is encouraged in (some) countries as a major source of foreign currency. S. Mathews

9. Threat of Foreign Media Imperialism Leaders of some LDCs consider the dominance of popular customs by MDCs as a threat to their independence. S. Mathews

10. The Spread of Television in LDCs • Leaders of many LDCs view television as a new method of economic and cultural imperialism on the part of the more developed countries, especially the United States. S. Mathews

11. Western Control of News Media LDCs fear the effects of the newsgathering capability of the media even more than their entertainment function. S. Mathews

12. Many African and Asian government officials • Criticize the Western concept of freedom of the press. • Argue that the American news organizations reflect American values and do not provide a balanced, accurate view of other countries. S. Mathews

13. In Many Regions of the World The only reliable and unbiased news accounts come from the BBC World Service shortwave radio newscasts. S. Mathews

14. Environmental Impact of Popular Culture Popular culture is less likely than folk culture to be distributed with consideration for physical features. S. Mathews

15. Modifying Nature • Popular culture can significantly modify or control the environment. • It may be imposed on the environment rather than springing forth from it, as with many folk customs. S. Mathews

16. S. Mathews

17. Even if the resulting built environment looks “natural,” it is actually the deliberate creation of people in pursuit of popular social custom. S. Mathews

18. Diffusion of Golf • Golf courses, because of their large size (200 acres), provide a prominent example of imposing popular culture on the environment. • Golf courses are designed partially in response to local physical conditions. • Golf courses remake the environment. S. Mathews

19. Golf Holes Per Capita S. Mathews

20. Distribution of Golf Courses in the US The number of golf courses per person is greatest in north-central and northeastern states due to a long tradition of playing golf. S. Mathews

21. Uniform Landscapes The distribution of popular culture around the world tends to produce more uniform landscapes. In fact, promoters of popular culture want a uniform appearance to generate “Product recognition” and greater consumption. S. Mathews

22. Hiroshima, Japan S. Mathews

23. Uniformity Uniformity in the appearance of the landscape is promoted by a wide variety of other popular structures in North America, such as gas stations, supermarkets, and motels. S. Mathews

24. Franchise An agreement which allows the local outlet use of the company’s name, symbols, trademarks, methods, and architectural syles. S. Mathews

25. Fast-food Restaurants • An example of uniform landscape. • Usually organized as franchises. • Originally developed to attract people who travel by car. • Recently buildings are more subdued. S. Mathews

26. Global Diffusion of Uniform Landscapes • Diffusion of popular culture across Earth is not confined to products that originate in North America. • Japanese automobiles and electronics have diffused to the rest of the world, including North America. S. Mathews

27. Negative Environment Impact The diffusion of some popular customs can adversely impact environmental quality in two ways: depletion of scarce natural resources and pollution of the landscape. S. Mathews

28. Increased Demand for Natural Resources Increased demand for some products can strain the capacity of the environment. With a large percentage of the world’s population undernourished, some question . . . Inefficient use of grain to feed animals for eventual human consumption. S. Mathews

29. Pollution • Folk culture, like popular culture, can cause environmental damage, especially when natural processes are ignored. • The more developed societies that produce endless supplies of popular culture have created the technological capacity both to create large-scale environmental damage and to control it. • However, a commitment of time and money must be made to control the damage. S. Mathews