What lies between the local and the global t12014i
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WHAT LIES BETWEEN THE GLOBAL AND THE LOCAL? An introduction to media and globalisation with Chris McMillan
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Transcript of What lies between the local and the global t12014i
WHAT LIES BETWEEN THE GLOBAL AND THE LOCAL?
An introduction to media and globalisation with Chris McMillan
This morning
Module overview
An introduction to globalisation
Interconnection
Deterritorisation
Glocalisation and local audiences
The role of media in globalisation
So, what is globalisation?
According to Anthony Giddens (1990, p.64), globalisation involves:
“the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa”
Globalisation is an evolving process, not a thing
Core Problems
1. Why have local relations become increasingly affected by global structures and events?
2. How does media ‘mediate’ interactions between the local and the global?
3. Does ‘globalisation’ entail a progressive homogenisation of local cultures, and what role does media play in the battle between difference and sameness?
4. How have new forms of media changed the dynamics of interconnectivity between the local and the global?
Week II: Who controls the global village? Capitalism and media
Week III: Is your local global? Globalisation and cultural difference
Week IV:Local laughs, global crashes: The globalisation of entertainment
Week V: Virtual resistance: Media, technology and transformation
Sameness
Difference
Module timetable
Lectures: Weeks 8-12 (13th November – 11th December)
Lectures are Thursday, 10-12, in LC112
Seminars follow the lectures at 1pm and are in LC217
Learning and assessment
Lectures provide a broad overview of the topic, including participative learning opportunities
In the seminars we will work in groups to discuss the readings
The module is assessment by a 2,500 word essay, which is due after the completion of the module
There is one essay option for each lecture, but the topics are all interconnected – essay options are available on BBL
Readings
The core textbook for this module is Rantanen, T (2005) ‘The Media and Globalization’
Other assigned readings are available on BBL
Specialist readings are also assigned for the seminars
About Me!
Room: MJ153
Phone: ext. 66547
Consultation and feedback hours: Thursday 2-3pm and Friday 1-2pm
Globalisation
“the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa” (Giddens,1990, p.64)
How?
Name three non-local influences on your life
What’s new about globalisation?
The processes described in globalisation, principally the connections between people outside of the nation state, have been developing for a number of years
What is new is the intensity at which they are occurring through changes in technology, communication and co-operation
Empire and Inter-nationalism
Global ‘empires’ spread hegemonic cultures and established new markets for trade through technological developments
What is different is the sense of a global ‘society’, as opposed to interactions between states (inter-nationalism) and the intensity of these linkages
We are all in this together
Our sense of a ‘global’ world developed with the early sparks of modernity as peoples migrated beyond their localities
Scientific advances, such as Copernicus’ 1543 theory which established that the Sun was the centre of the universe, were the catalyst for more human centred thinking
An emerging recognition of the common bonds between peoples has been advanced by mass communicative technology
Global interconnectedness
Associated with Marshall McLuhan (1911 -1980), the idea of a ‘global village’ connected by electronic technology captures the most optimistic sense of the inter-connectedness possible through globalisation
Closer global connections and a sense of global consciousness make global problems more manageable
The global village
The development of a global consciousness suggests both an interconnected society, but also a singular global sense of humanity
Whilst we are undoubtedly more connected, there are significant doubts about whether we are becoming more similar
Does globalisation mean a more similar global culture, or an increasing range of influences?
To what extent do you see yourself as living in a
global society?
Intensified connections
Connections between peoples have intensified across time and space
More communication and influence outside of immediate
environment (space)
Quicker interactions between geographically separated peoples (time)
These changes have led to a progressive deterritorisation
Changing time
The compression of time means that the time previous taken for social interaction to occur has been reduced
Communicating with the Southern hemisphere once took more than six weeks but is now instantaneous, changing our sense of time and distance
This has changed our perception of distance and the importance of territory
These changes have been primary driven by technological developments, from steam trains to smart phones
What technology allows you to influence people beyond those
immediately around you?
Does this change your perception of time and
distance?
Consequently…
Technological developments have allowed for a much wider geographical influence
Trans-governmental institutions such as the United Nations and World Trade Organisation (WTO) have (partially) shifted sovereignty outside of the nation-state and local representation
Corporations trade outside of their national origin and the restrictions of national regulation
Global ‘brands’ create shared cultural connections between different peoples
Increases in global tourism by region
Source: International Trade Centre
Globalising employment
Globalised media
The globalisation of communication suggests the development of forms of media that transcend local contexts (Thompson, 1995, p.149).
If globalisation is defined by an intensified cultural interconnectedness, this interconnectedness is principally generated by media
Media and globalisation
The influence of media is often implied within globalisation without being specifically developed
Media have been contributed to the process of globalisation and have themselves been globalised
This influence is not only cultural, but economic
Different forms of mediation create different social interactions between the local and the global
Mediating our lives
The media ‘mediate’ communication between distant peoples
Consequently, how we understand the world around us is largely determined by how it is represented for us
Conversely, we don’t just take on the exactly what is presented to us, but have competing influences and the ability to reflect upon information
Filtered Knowledge
What are ‘proms’ like at American High Schools?
Uneven globes
If globalisation involves the construction of more globally similar cultures, this is experienced unevenly
Globalisation is often seen as the hegemonic spread of American ideals (or British…)
As Permutter (1991, p.898) argues, the imposition of one form of culture upon another has generally been seen as a form of violence
This ‘symbolic violence’ occurs primarily through trade, political ideology and cultural imperialism, rather than physical violence
Glocalisation and resistance
Nonetheless, local cultures do not simply absorb global forces, but appropriate and adapt
These processes are known as glocalisation, hybridisation or indigenisation
There have also been significant moves, often violent, to resist global forces and maintain local cultures and traditions
We ask…
Following Thompson (1995, p.81) ‘How do the developments of media and communication affect traditional patterns of social interaction?’
If communication has become increasingly global, what has been the effect on local relationships and the relationships between local cultures?
Does media produce forms of globalisation that increase sameness within global culture (homogeneity) or global differences (heterogeneity)?
Two-minute summary
Write for a minute or so on these questions:
What is globalisation?
What is the relationship between media and globalisation?
Does globalisation entail a greater global cultural similarity, or increased cultural difference?
Next Week
Who controls the global village? Transnational media and global capitalism
LECTURE READING
Chapter One (pp.10-41) Herman, E.S. & McChesney, R.W. (1997) The Global Media: The New Missionaries of Corporate Capitalism. London:
Cassel
SEMINAR READING
Raj, M. and Cottle, S. (2007) Global mediations: On the changing ecology of satellite television news. Global Media and
Communication. 3:51
