Through the mass media, the United States is spreading some universal values and human rights. It spreads ideas of freedom of expression, democracy, equality, and rights - concepts that should be, in some people's opinion, universal. This has done in the name of freedom of the market and freedom of expression. Today, the United States is inevitably intruding into the cultures of other countries of the world. Some believe that the American's spread of culture is beneficial to the world, while others consider this cultural imperialism a threat.
Universality of some values may be possible - human nature is not that different from one culture to another, and many values are shared across cultures. However, the majority of the world's cultures undervalue women and children in practice. American ideals of equality, freedom, and democracy now available in the world may give more freedom to women, children, and to minorities in all cultures, and will promote anti-racist, anti-sexist or anti-authoritarian messages and regimes.
But the American cultural imperialism can be seen as a threat to other cultures. We should not forget that the differences in cultures make the world a rich and diverse place. Every individual of each country should have the right to express his or her own culture. A cultural uniformity would lead to the extinction of cultures and it would definitely represent a great loss.
However, the American culture is intruding on most cultures in the world, in many cases threatening their existence. For example, Superman, Spider-man, and Batman replace local heroes; Pepsi and Coke replace local fruit drinks. Today, the spread of American culture goes through every communication medium: huge percent of the information available on the Internet is in English, and CNN is seen in 120 countries. Obviously, there is already a process of cultural uniformity going on, and this can be seen as a great loss.
Universality of some values may be possible - human nature is not that different from one culture to another, and many values are shared across cultures. However, the majority of the world's cultures undervalue women and children in practice. American ideals of equality, freedom, and democracy now available in the world may give more freedom to women, children, and to minorities in all cultures, and will promote anti-racist, anti-sexist or anti-authoritarian messages and regimes.
But the American cultural imperialism can be seen as a threat to other cultures. We should not forget that the differences in cultures make the world a rich and diverse place. Every individual of each country should have the right to express his or her own culture. A cultural uniformity would lead to the extinction of cultures and it would definitely represent a great loss.
However, the American culture is intruding on most cultures in the world, in many cases threatening their existence. For example, Superman, Spider-man, and Batman replace local heroes; Pepsi and Coke replace local fruit drinks. Today, the spread of American culture goes through every communication medium: huge percent of the information available on the Internet is in English, and CNN is seen in 120 countries. Obviously, there is already a process of cultural uniformity going on, and this can be seen as a great loss.
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