Factors of cultural change Globalization Globalization refers to increasing global connectivity, integration in the economic, social, technological, cultural,

political, and ecological spheres. Globalization literally means, "to extend to the world as a whole place. The world is becoming a smaller place, because of Globalization" This can be applied to many different fields. An example of a technology, which enables globalization, is the invention of the telephone, or any other communication technology for that matter. It makes the transmission of messages globally easier. Globalization is viewed as a centuries long process, tracking the expansion of human population and the growth of civilization, that has accelerated dramatically in the past 50 years. The world increasingly is confronted by problems that cannot be solved by individual nation-states acting alone. Examples include cross-boundary air and water pollution, over-fishing of the oceans and other degradations of the natural environment, regulation of outer-space, global warming, international terrorist networks, global trade and finance, and so on. Solutions to these problems necessitate new forms of cooperation and the creation of new global institutions. Since the end of WWII, there has been an explosion in the reach and power of multinational corporations and global institutions. Globalization has brought foreign companies to Bangalore, supporters of trade claim that it increases economic prosperity as well as opportunity, especially among developing nations. According to the 2006 index, Singapore, Ireland, Switzerland, the U.S., the Netherlands, Canada and Denmark are the most globalized, while Egypt, Indonesia, India and Iran are the least globalized among countries listed. There are four distinct dimensions of globalism: economic, military, environmental and social/cultural.

Economic globalism Economic globalism involves long-distance flows of goods, services and capital and the information and perceptions that accompany market exchange. These flows, in turn, organize other processes linked to them. One example of economic globalization is low-wage production in Asia for the United States and European markets. Economic flows, markets and organization as in multinational firms all go together. The environmental dimension Examples of environmental globalization include the accelerating depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer as a result of ozonedepleting chemicals or the spread of the AIDS virus from central Africa around the world beginning at the end of the 1970s. The military dimension Military globalism refers to long-distance networks in which force, and the threat or promise of force, are deployed. Military globalization manifested itself in recent times in the tragic events of September 11. Here, geographical distances were shrunk as the lawless mountains of Afghanistan provided the launching pad for attacks on New York and Washington some 4,000 miles away. Social and cultural globalism The fourth dimension is social and cultural globalism. It involves movements of ideas, information, images and of people, who of course carry ideas and information with them. Examples include the movement of religions or the diffusion of scientific knowledge. Eg; Scientocology, Veganism Today, social and cultural globalization is driven by the Internet, which reduces costs and globalizes communications, making the flow of ideas increasingly independent. In 2002, China was the third largest exporter of cultural goods, after the UK and US. Between 1994 and 2002, both North America's and the European Union's shares of cultural exports declined, while Asia's cultural exports grew to surpass North America.

Anti-globalization (critique of globalization) Critiques of the current wave of economic globalization typically look at both the damage to the planet as well as increased poverty, inequality, and the erosion of traditional culture as a consequence of globalization. Most importantly, critics of globalization feel that globalization promotes ethnic and religious tensions that lead to wars and help breed terrorism. Furthermore, these terrorists, now globally interconnected and empowered with knowledge, create a whole new category of warfare both created by and necessary for globalization. Proponents tend to see migration simply as a process whereby white and blue collar workers may go from one country to another to provide their services, while critics tend to emphasize negative causes such as economic, cultural and environmental insecurity, and cite the link between migration and the enormous growth of urban slums in developing countries as one notable effect. Some anti-globalization activists and supporters object to the fact that the current "globalization" encompasses money and corporations, but not people and unions. This can be seen in the strict immigration controls in nearly all countries, and the lack of labour rights in many countries in the developing world. Some anti-globalization groups argue that globalization is necessarily imperialistic; it can therefore be said that "globalization" is another term for a form of Americanization, as it is believed by some observers that the United States could be one of the few countries to truly profit from globalization. Effects of Globalization Political - Political globalization is the creation of a world government which regulates the relationships among nations and guarantees the rights arising from social and economic globalization. Eg - UN

Informational - increase in information flows between geographically remote locations Development of a global telecommunications infrastructure and greater transborder data flow, using such technologies as the Internet, communication satellites, submarine fiber optic cable, and wireless telephones Industrial - emergence of worldwide production markets and broader access to a range of goods for consumers and companies Spread of local consumer products (e.g. food) to other countries (often adapted to their culture) Cultural - growth of cross-cultural contacts; advent of new categories of consciousness and identities such as Globalism - which embodies cultural diffusion, the desire to consume and enjoy foreign products and ideas, adopt new technology and practices, and participate in a "world culture". That is, greater international cultural exchange. Spreading of multiculturalism, and better individual access to cultural diversity (e.g. through the export of Hollywood and Bollywood movies). However, the imported culture can easily supplant the local culture, causing reduction in diversity through hybridization or even assimilation. The most prominent form of this is Westernization. World-wide fads and pop culture such as Pokmon, Sudoku, Origami, Idol series, YouTube, Facebook, and Orkut. Social travel and circulation of people of all nations. Greater international travel and tourism. Greater immigration, including illegal immigration Increase in the number of standards applied globally; e.g. copyright laws, patents and world trade agreements. Harmonization of intellectual property laws across the majority of states, with more restrictions. Supranational recognition of intellectual property restrictions (e.g. patents granted by China would be recognized in the United States)

The push by many advocates for an international criminal court and international justice movements. Eg; extraditions etc