This paper will focus on two non-Western countries; Nigeria and India. Moreover, it will analyse how globalization has impacted on the cultural practices and general way of life in these two countries’ societies.
Starting with the Nigerian case, globalization has profoundly changed the way people interact on a day to day basis. Initially, most Nigerians strictly followed and applied African traditional cultural practices. Most people in this country used to entertain themselves through the telling of traditional tales that used to highlight various virtues such as courage and determination (Aina, 2004). However, because of the impact of globalization, most people are now aping the Western cultures and doing away with their local cultures. Most people for instance, rely on Hollywood movies for entertainment. Moreover, traditional wedding ceremonies have been replaced with church weddings (Aina, 2004). Globalization has also seen most people using imported products for many of their day to day activities and, therefore, labels such as made in England are a commonplace in many parts of Nigeria.
Globalization in Nigeria can be attributed to among other things, the setting up of multinational corporations by Western countries, in order to take advantage of the market offered by Nigeria’ high population. This has had a direct impact on the country’s cultural practices (Aina, 2004). In addition to the setting up of corporations, trends in the country’s ICT sector have resulted in a significant portion of the population using the internet to interact and transact with people from various parts of the world, including Western nations (Featherstone, 1990). Finally, the entertainment content originating from Western Nations have also had a significant indirect impact on the culture of Nigeria (Aina, 2004).
There have been both positive and negative cultural impacts that have been brought about as a result of globalization in Nigeria. On the positive side, globalization has resulted in many Nigerians learning and appreciating western cultures, thus enhancing their ability to carry out commercial and other transactions with people from these countries. On the other hand, globalization has resulted to societal degradation because of erosion of good traditional cultural values and adoption of liberal western values that have negatively impacted on Nigerians’ lives (Aina, 2004).
Some Nigerians, especially those living in the cities and major towns in the country have embraced the new cultural values that have been brought about by globalization in their daily activities whereby they use western products, rely on western movies and music for entertainment, and integrated other western cultural aspects (Aina, 2004). However, there are other Nigerians who have not had such a positive reception of the cultural impacts of globalization. This category of Nigerians is opposed to the changes in cultural values brought about by globalization and consequently, they still hold onto their traditions and do not rely on western content for entertainment (Aina, 2004).
Just like in Nigeria, globalization in India was initially as a result of setting up shops by key Western- based multinational corporations. Mahajan (2006) points out that this resulted in the introduction of Western cultural values and practices. Because of the direct interaction between the locals and the corporations’ workers, India’s cultural practices were profoundly impacted both positively and negatively.
Initially, most of the people in India strictly applied their cultural and Hindu religious values in their day to day lives. Just like the Nigerian case, Indians also entertained themselves using Indian based cultural practice s such as dances, storytelling and other Indian religious and cultural festivals (Mahajan, 2006). However, because of the impact of globalization, most people have done away with these values. Consequently, the Indian society has adopted a more liberal approach to life, and other such aspects as religious values. This can be illustrated by the fact that there are more religions being practiced in India presently than ever before. This is in addition to the country recording, a rise in the number of atheist and other non-convectional religious practices (Mahajan, 2006). On the positive side, globalization has led to increased cultural awareness and tolerance among Indians whereby most people are able to understand and tolerate each other’s cultural practices and do not use this as a basis for discrimination against one another(Mahajan, 2006).
References
Aina, T.K. (2004). Globalization and Social Policy in Africa. Lagos: African Books Collective.
Featherstone, M. (1990). Global culture: Nationalism, globalization and modernity. New York: Sage Publications Limited.
Mahajan, S. (2006). Globalization and Social Change. London: Lotus Press.