Week 2- Cultural Flows and the Nation state

Globalisation is (especially in the much more modern, technological sense of the word) constantly thought to be about bringing the world closer together in terms of trade, relations and so on, however it also taken in many interpretations to be about the reducing importance of the nation state, and somewhat a loss in national identity.

Perhaps these claims are channelled most 'tangibly' through individuals ability to share, trade, and communicate with less and less need to involve the state as a means of achieving the said outcomes. Indeed communication and it's tools were primarily in the mid 20th century viewed as a means of political power and international voice as it relates to the position of the nation state (Rantanen, 2005, pg 2) Think about, for instance any songs from, countries all over the world that can be readily accessed by an internet user at will; the internet does allow for virtually limitless exchange of culture through electronic means. Of course this cultural transfer is not merely limited to music but just about all forms of art, DIY international trade and a host of other factors which build the interpretation of the world emerging as one international community.

So with this thought in mind, i would like to pose a question, does this kind cross-culture saturation (more possible than ever with Globalisation) serve to undermine or alter a nation state's identity, or instead conversely help to solidify and build their identity in relation to their place in the world around them?


Rantanen, T 2005, The media and globalization, Sage, London, pp. 1–18.

Week 1 Globalisation

Topic 1- The Trend of Globalisation

 Globalisation seems to be the trend of today, the trend of the modern world; however it raises the question (and quite validly too) of exactly how tangible are the effects of this apparent phenomena?  Is the majority or in fact all of the trends associated with Globalisation a true measureable thing, or merely what certain current trends of the last few decades are credited to when examined.

Well in trying to give some kind of preliminary answer, I’m going to look at the two trends which appear to make the biggest case in the pro-Globalisation debate; improving technology and the step towards open markets.

Improving technology that means the ability to transcend time and space at the touch of a button and experience an interconnected-ness between countries all over the world that was previously thought impossible. Improvements in technology for example, could be attributed to the rapidly growing amounts of expenditure centered around international brand advertising creating links between firms (Pieterse, pg 9, 2004)

The other economically driven factor I would suggest is characteristic in the pro-Globalisation debate is the gradual move towards freer trade including but not limited to the removal of tariffs, trade agreements between nations and the emphasis that nations put on encouraging their local businesses to become more competitive internationally. Media & communications according to Rantanen don’t simply effect culture but also have a hand to play in all other sectors including the ways which business is conducted (2005, pg 4-5).

While these are just two traits I’ve singled out in relation to Globalistion I would suggest they are the most important ones when looking at how individuals are swept up in the accessibility of the modern world and furthermore key to how Globalisation will come to be viewed into the future.

Nederveen Pieterse, J 2004, ‘Globalization: consensus and controversies’, Globalization and culture: global mélange, Rowan & Littlefield, Lanham, Md., pp. 7–21.