2019-09-07: Task 2Modern cultures around the world have become similar as compared to the past. What are the reasons? Is it a positive or negative development?
World has certainly become a global village, in the recent past. Similarities in the cultures across the globe are evident, which were not existing in the past and these common traits in modern cultures are the outcome of two main factors. The essay will discuss these two main factors contributing to this trend and why this development appears to be positive.
Globalization, perhaps, is the major cause of this cultural fusion. Immigration laws now are lenient than they were ever before, and this allows masses to relocate to countries with different customs and cultural backgrounds. To adapt to new home and neibhorhood, immigrant families tend to learn local culture and un-intentionally mixes some of the features of their own culture from home country, in newly learned culture. Such developments on a larger scale, hybrids the culture and local rituals of a place. Second reason for this cultural mix appears to be an intentional move by some of the nations which rely heavily on their tourism business. Countries such a Thailand, where a major part of GDP comes from tourism industry has intentionally modified the look and feel of their local folklore by adding some of the trends from west. This move is to attract tourists from western countries and boost the economy as a result.
These recently added similarities in the modern cultures appear to be a ‘value add’ in a number of ways. First and foremost is the ‘Ease of doing business’ cultural fusion brings with itself. Ability to understand other cultures attracts investors to do business overseas which in turn creates work opportunities for the locals. Thailand, for instance, has recently added a western dance form ‘Salsa’ into list of regional dances which has motivated a lot of Salsa Learning Academies to set up their offices in Thailand and this development has resulted in an upsurge in the number of jobs in Music and dance industry of the country. Another positive could be the feel of connection with homeland that travellers and immigrants get in a mixed culture, which allows them to enjoy some home-like traditions in the culture of host country.
In conclusion, it can be summarized that globalization and intentional moves by states to prosper local economy are the prime reason why modern cultures look similar as compared to the past. A number of supporting factors including increasing business opportunities and emotional connections that these modern cultures provide, makes cultural fusion a positively impacting development.