Finally,
concepts and terms are able to be introduced that answer the questions that
have been politically incorrect to ask up until now. The question and concept
that underdeveloped or underachieving countries do not seem able to handle or
deal with globalization is an idea that has crossed many minds, but has, up
until now, been left unasked.
In
economics, comparative advantage is not allowed to consider the implications of
culture on a countries ability or desire to achieve at the same level or at a
higher level than some other countries.
It
is not that a c condescending attitude is being taken toward these countries
that do not seem able to excel at the same level as other countries, it is just
a fact. Just as any other factors into an equation, the ability of a culture to
be able to accept foreign or global ideas and to apply them to their own
cultural practices is coined as glocalization.
This marriage of terms suggest and embraces the idea that cultures that are
best able to apply foreign concepts to their own established concepts will be
best equipped to survive and thrive in the new and flat world. This idea that
local customs can be melded with global concepts to benefit the country is not
new, but can be limiting to cultures who are not prepared to accept outside
ideas.
One
of the things that has drastically changed the playing field in companies is
the fact that contemporary consumers are offered the convenience and luxury of
being able to customize their own product in a way that best suits them. In the
global economy of the internet, consumers are permitted, even encouraged, to
the actual price and service directly to their desires. Companies that have
allowed such customization have enjoyed the continued success in an
ever-changing economy. I would say that I am probably about one half to two
thirds completely a self-directed consumer. Much of my purchases are already
made on-line. Seldom do I require special attention in an order, however if the
need for a custom order arises, I am often put out if my accommodations cannot
be met. Many purchases that I make are not important enough to warrant
customization, but some are, an in those cases, I believe that I am a
self-directed consumer.
The
topic of globalization and the high profile that America has had in the global
economy and culture leads to the question of the relevance in globalization of
America. I believe that globalization is the next step leading away from
imperialism. Just as European imperialism led into American Imperialism, I
believe that American imperialism has definitely led to globalization. This
globalization may have been conceived in American board rooms, it may look very
similar to its American parents, but it has orphaned itself from many American
concepts when it chooses to adopt so many foreign ideas. Globalization is not
at all Americanization; it is way too much more than that. It has grown beyond
the confines of Americanization and is now looking back to its American heritage
and revealing the inadequacies of America to fulfill the global concepts that
are entailed in globalization.
We
can argue the initiation of global concepts and the nurturing of these concepts
and the ability of countries to be able to benefit from their presence, but all
of the implications of globalization point to the idea that it is morphing on
its own and in directions that cannot be predicted or determined. It is our
responsibility as “self-directed consumers” to encourage change when it is good
and decent and to discourage changes that will ultimately be the demise of this
new era. This responsibility does not seem that daunting until one has full
view of the terrain of the present and the direction of the future.
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