Globalization is not a single concept that can be defined and encompassed within a set time from, nor is it a process that can be defined clearly with a beginning and an end.
Globalization involves economic integration, the transfer of policies across borders the transmission of knowledge, cultural stability, the power, it is a global process, a concept, a revolution, and an establishment of global market free from socio- political control. Globalization encompasses all
of these things. It is a concept that has been defined variously over the years, with some connotations referring to progress, development and stability, integration and cooperation, and
others referring to regression, colonialism, and destabilization. Despite these challenges, this term brings with it a multitude of hidden agendas. An Individuals political ideology, geographic location, social status, cultural background, and ethnic and religious affiliation provide the background that determines how globalization is interpreted. Thomas Larsson stated that: “globalization is the process of wind shrinkage, of distances getting shorter, things moving closer. It pertains to the increasing ease with which somebody on one side of the world can
interact, to mutual benefit, with somebody on other side of the world.” 2
The world as a historical interaction of people and societies is undergoing dynamic transformation of modern colonization called globalization before this modern colonization. Before this modern colonization, it is evident that colonial expansion of the west to the so- called ‘third world’ was from outside a global process that was ethnocentric authoritarian, patriarchal and destructive of nature. Alvin observed that: “The dawn of this new civilization is the single most explosive fact of our time. Humanity faces the deepest social faces the deepest social upheaval and creative restructuring of all time. A global revolution is underway. Humanity face the deepest social upheaval and creative restructuring of all the time. A global revolution is uderway
.
Furthermore, globalization has many implications for the world as biophysical planet. It is a complicated transformation based on the concept of total market, a transformation that seeks to incorporate the entire globe in a new international order by exalting the economic factor as the only source of meaning and value and teaches a new- liberal doctrine of economic self- interest
in which the free market is wrongly assumed to be objective and fair.
However, not minding the positive aspect of globalization, its ethnocentric, patriarchal authoritarian character is obvious and evident everywhere .Evidently, globalization destroys cultural practices and values in this
contemporary dispensation, the younger generation look up to European ways of doing things as the ideal because of accompanying ramification of globalization
Communication has become so easy and fast that you can speak to any in the human race on less than one second through communication Media like GSM Twitter, Facebook, advanced computers.
- Culture:
- Culture derives its semantic origin from the Latin word ‘’Cultura’’ which means cultivation of the soil, and by extension, to the cultivation of mind and spirit.
- Different scholars define culture in various ways. Taylor defines culture as” the complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a members of society, Others see culture as people’s way of life.
- Culture is passed on from one generation to another, through learning, transmitted in people writing, religion, music, clothes, cooking, and in what they do. Culture is more than just material goods, that is, things the culture uses and produces.
- Culture is also the beliefs and values of the people, Culture also includes the way people think about and understand the world and their own lives. Thus, ‘’culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one category of people from another, it is mankind primary adaptive mechanism, From a common ground culture is that which characterize a particular group of people and their very ways of life which differentiates them from other people. It is observed in the writings of African scholars that the distinctiveness and uniqueness of communalism is enshrined in its characteristics, principles and norms.
- African society is an embodiment of cultures, culture that regulate principles and norms. It is noted in the writing of Africans and non- Africans scholars that the features and characteristics of communalism is one that takes the welfare and the well being of its members serious. This sense of harmony it gives is what defines Africans.
- However, cultural values can be defined as the worth, usefulness important by the amount of other things for which it can be exchanged. Although individual or group of individuals may choose what they call their values,
- Cultural values go deeper than values because, cultural values are transmitted and acquired not freely chosen. It is also inscribed deeply in the spirit of the people and also in their history.
- Using the igbos who are originally called Ndi-igbo as a case study the Igbo people as a nation has the family and its name, sacredness of human life, chastity, respect for elders and parents, marriage and hospitality etc.
- What this portraysis that cultural values are intrinsically positive and potentially constructive Therefore, acknowledging African cultural values. Pope John11, admonished African thus,” Preserve carefully your African roots. Safeguard the values of your culture, know them and are proud of them
- Respect for life, family solidarity and support for relatives, respect for the old the sense of hospitality judicious preservation of traditions the taste for feasts and symbols, These culturalv values are currently been threatened by negatives influence or globalization as well as western unbounded excesses.
- PRINCIPLEOF BROTHERHOOD
cares for one another.
Great article, I must confess
ReplyDeleteThank you
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