Globalization

Globalization is a complex and controversial process, caused by multiple factors and can be described as a series of events, which originally take place in a certain region of the globe and have wide consequences on the societies and problems from other parts of the world.
The examples of globalization can be seen everywhere in nowadays life: the existence of a world wide informational system, the global problems related to the natural environment, such as the global warming, the spreading of tourism, the development of a world military system, the fight against major health problems such as AIDS, the expansion of the concept of human rights, the adoption of cosmopolitan styles of life, etc.
Globalization supposes two contradictory processes: one of homogenization and the other of differentiation. These two opposite sides have determined people to have shared opinions. It is the reason why some agree that globalization tends to lead to the homogenization of cultures, while others believe that culture opposes resistance to globalization.
According to the former, it is not possible to speak about multiculturalism anymore without considering the fact that hundreds of TV programs present the same images and impose the same ideas and when we all watch the same performances or the same sports.
However, globalization affects us all and despite the fact that some sustain the homogenizing character of globalization at the cultural level, some reality facts prove that there is a cultural resistance to globalization that continues to persist. This resistance gives the possibility for the cultural diversity to exist, which, at its turn can promote the common interests of the society. By measuring, analyzing and comparing cultural values from different countries and geographic areas from all over the world, we can see that the cultural values do not tend towards convergence, although the development of economy pushes all countries to a common direction. Communication is globalized, but this does not mean that it implies a cultural globalization. The reinforcement of cultural identities is used many times as a mechanism to control the chaotic globalization. More than that, identity is a tool built on the premises of experience and generates a sense in the people’s life. This sense can be a religious, national, ethnic, or a territorial one, it is fundamental and characterizes the world at the same extent as globalization does. Communication has a major role in facilitating the movement from monologue to dialogue, from dialogue to cooperation, a cooperation which should not be based only on simple words but also on actions in the relation with different identities. Still, no matter if we are against globalization or not, there is one thing that is for sure: the tendency of globalization is greater and greater and there is no way we can deny that.