Insight: On Globalization

“Globalization makes multicultural increasingly normative.” ~ Marcelo Suarez-Orozco

Globalization is broad. For one, it pertains to the spread of goods, be it commerce, technology, or information. On an economically-beneficial note: globalization encourages individual economies, including developing countries, to participate in cross-border trade and to produce goods for international consumption. There are other aspects of globalization this paper could not cover. And then the multiculturalism effect it carries on the table.

If multiculturalism, as a product of globalization, is good or bad is highly debatable. But Marcelo Orozco’s claim on multiculturalism being increasingly normative with globalization pushing it forward is true, which merits another debate.

For me, globalization is a trap, and its effects, good or bad, are inescapable. Take, for example, the highly competitive and financially-able Western countries, consisting of the majority of Europe, Australasia, and the Americas. Based on personal accounts, the majority of the books, music, and film selection dominating the charts are produced or starred by people coming from the same grouping. Questioning whether they are much more relatable and exemplary is one. But all this time, the big question should be how influential and significant have they become in shaping and conditioning our culture?

Apparently, at this point, globalization has affected, if not confused, my idea of the culture I inherited from people before me. Believing so much that people create a society from sharing of meanings and understanding, I question now how much of what I have around is purely ethnic and distinct. Or does it matter now to push for archaic customs and beliefs when the world is globalizing?

But it matters; it is now or never. Globalization, ideally, is for the advantage of every society and country. For one, the potential in trading goods in the international market is undeniably enormous. Backed with the right deal of inputs and materials, our dear Philippines can be just as monstrous as the leading nations economically. On the other hand, this calls for an ever-increasing challenge to preserve what makes us “us.”

The statement of Marcelo Orozco has taken me this far to argue that globalization is not entirely detrimental. Comparable to how we were once nomadic to now technologic, humans have to adapt to survive. Same with globalization that brought forth multiculturalism in our archipelago, we need to act on these changes, all the while preserving our traditions. I believe there is always room for authenticity--and diversity, of course.