AMERICAN CULTURAL

IMPERIALISM06.1.E.1- Group 3.

Vu Thi Kim Chi

Tran Thi Huong Giang

Le Thanh Huong

Pham Thi Hoa

Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh1

Outline

• Definition

• Manifestation

• Reasons

• Pros and Cons

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DEFINITION

• What is culture?

• What is culture imperialism?

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CULTURE

knowledgeexperience

beliefs

values

attitudes

meanings

hierarchies

religion

notions of time

communication

behaviors

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CULTURE IMPERIALISM

ANOTHERONE SOCIETY

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The manifestation of American cultural imperialism

• Language

• Literature

• Food & drink

• Music

• Movie

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Language

• English international language

E.g: – 20% of the world population speak English– fluency in English prerequisite in upper level

positions in international politics and trade– signs in almost capitals are in English– 90% information on the Internet is in English

http://gsevenier.online.fr/culturalImperialism.html

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Language• After WWII:

American English > British English

E.g: – 70% of native English speakers speak A.E.– Modiano (2008): Europe students are more interested in A.E.– Cambell (2008): American English is popular among young

people in Europe, Asia, Brazil and former territory of British English influence.

– American English words like “campus”, “guy”, “movie” are now widely used

http://www.jianzhi8.com/lunwen/86.html

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Food & drink

American fast food has reached hundreds of countries all over the world and is loved by many youngsters.

Eg: • Mc Donald: 31,000 restaurants in over 100 countries all over the

world. According to Eric Schlosser, Mc Donald’s restaurants are more widely recognized than the Christian cross. “Mc Donaldization”

• Coco-cola: today world’s most popular soft drink, is sold to more than 195 countries all over the world “Coca-colization”

• KFC, Burger King, Pepsi, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Coca-Cola_Company

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_food

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A CULTURAL SYMBOL OF THE U.S.

- Poinsettias - Poinsettias - Poinsettias - Poinsettias - Poinsettias -

- Poinsettias - Poinsettias - Poinsettias - Poinsettias - Poinsettias -

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Movie

American movie industry is spreading its influence all over the world. Millions of people from every corner of the world love seeing American movies.

Eg: • The Guardian (2003): American films accounted for ~ 80% of the

global box office revenue• Hollywood • Disney : “Disneyization”• Famous Characters

http://www.littlespeck.com/world/CForeign-US-040125.htm

http://www.google.com.vn/url?sa=t&source=web&c

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Literature• In the 19th and 20th century, the greatest influence of

American literature could be observed in detective

fiction.

Eg: The Série Noire ( a famous French publishing

imprint) was from the outset dominated by translations

from the American, just as the Hollywood thriller has

been an inescapable model for the post-war cinema.

• HP Lovecraft (US) was the most influential writers of all

time according to surveys conducted by European

author in 1970 and late 1990s13

Music American popular music forms; Blues, Jazz, Country,

Rock, R&B, RAP, and Hip-Hop, are loved, and studied world wide

Eg: • Country music: all the contributions made by Americans to world

culture... (American popular music) has been taken (most) to heart by the entire world"

• Funk, the basis for West African Afrobeat, R&B, a major source for Jamaican reggae

• Rock, country, jazz and hip hop have become an entrenched part of many countries, leading to local varieties like Australian country music, Tanzanian Bongo Flava and Russian rock

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Reasons1. From the U.S.

History foundation

American characters

Contemporary climate

2. From the local countries.

Benefits

Trend15

1. From the U.S.

History foundation.

America, compared to most countries, has a short history, and

within its short history, is focused on itself. → imposing hegemony

over others

Additionally, American history is as a country of immigrants who,

for the most part, quickly become participants in as well as

contributors to American culture.

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1. From the U.S.

American characters.

American characters are shown typically as:

• “looking forward” much more than “looking backward”

• Competitive

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1. From the U.S.

Contemporary climate.

The time is ripe with:

• Economic expansion

• The development of technology

• Popularity of English language

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2. From the local countries.

Benefits

Trend

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PROS

• Zero-sum situation

• Win-win situation

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Zero-sum situation

Zero-sum situation is one in which one country benefits more than the other

→ America is the one who benefits and other countries suffer.– What America gains?– Economic roots– Political consequences

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Win-win situation

Other countries actively absorb America culture and they benefit from that.

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What other countries gain?

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Benefit 1

David Rothkopf, a former senior official in Clinton’s Department of Commerce cites Samuel Huntington’s theory from The Clash of Civilizations and the Beginning of the World Order: “The greater the cultural disparities in the world, the more likely it is that conflict will occur.”

→ the removal of cultural barriers through US cultural imperialism will promote a more stable world.

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Benefit 2

American cultural imperialism brings out new experience and gives the best that

the world can offer

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Benefit 3

English is used as

the international language

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Benefit 4

America spreads ideas of freedom of expression, democracy and equality

→ more freedom to children, women, minorities

→ promote anti-racist, anti-sexist or anti-authoritarian messages.

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CONS

Culture Erosion

Example: Individualism influences African people’s view about the “self” English interference into Vietnamese’s use of mother tongue

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ExerciseExercise 1: Decide whether each of these following sentences is TRUE or

FALSE

1. American people are well-known for the “looking backward” character.

2. As most Americans are immigrants, they tend to care for their old

traditions more than their new home country.

3. Economic factor is the most influential one.

4. The spread of culture brings America economic benefits but no

political ones.

5. According to Samuel Huntinton: “The greater the cultural disparities in

the world, the more likely it is that conflict will occur.”

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Crossword

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Dicussion

To which extent do you think has the American Cultural imperialism affected VN?

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Dicussion What do you think is the

biggest advantage that American Cultural imperialism

has brought to Vietnam?

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REFERENCE

• http://www.detnovel.com/• http://www.answers.com/topic/british-irish-and-american-influences• http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/240409/

hp_lovecraft_is_one_of_the_most_influential.html?cat=38• http://polleymusiclibraryscadenza.blogspot.com/2009/02/influence-

of-african-american-music.html• http://www.essortment.com/all/americanmusicw_rhaj.htm• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

American_popular_music#endnote_Kershaw• http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=268

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Thank you for

listening!