Model Question and Answers for APSC | Are we losing our local identity for the global identity? Discuss.

Ans : Globalization can be defined as increasing global interconnectedness. This interconnectedness is social,
economic, political, cultural and technological in nature.
Three responses to globalization:
1. Homogenization: Globalization is promoting cultural homogenization i.e reduction in cultural diversity through
the popularization and diffusion of a wide array of cultural symbols—not only physical objects but customs, ideas and values.
2. Hybridization: There is an increasing tendency towards ‘glocalization’ of culture which refers to the mixing of the global with the local culture.
3. Heterogenization: increasing cultural diversity and pluralism due to this mixing of cultures

Instances of cultural homogenization
1. Mcdonaldization i. e. homogenisation of taste and suppression of diversity in flavour particular reduction in
local tastes and flavours.
2. Walmartisation i.e. promotion of consumerism, shopping culture, marketing-based fictional needs.
3. Westernization masquerading as Modernization: blind imitation of western culture, sense of inferiority.
4. Emphasis on English: English is treated as a skill instead of a language .
5. Liberal ideas of individualism are permeating the Indian society; nuclear families; live-in relationships are
proliferating;
Globalization also promoting inclusiveness, diversity and pluralism
1. LGBTQ awareness is increasing their acceptance in Indian society making it more pluralistic.
2. Globalization offers more opportunities for women to open up society making it more pluralistic and inclusive.
3. Globalization promotes cultural pluralism thus adding diversity to local culture

Globalization also making local more vocal and global
1. Indian classical dance and music have got a fillip went global 

2. While peripheral value changes in terms of food, clothes, core value in India remains intact.
3. Also, due to the process of Globalization, there has been an impulse towards understanding the local cultures and preserving them which help in spreading Indian culture in the West.
4. Yoga traditions and practices are not only being practised by Indians, but people across the globe are embracing them.
5. Indian gurus have become ‘global gurus and are aiding in the exchange of spiritual ideas, naturopathy, yoga, etc.
6. Indian system of Ayurveda is being promoted by a large section of society in the backdrop of the ills of the western system of medicine and cure.
Thus, the relationship between globalisation and culture is complex. It leads to Cultural hybridization, cultural
heterogenization and not just Cultural homogeneity. Hence local identities are accepted elsewhere and become global at the same time some global features are incorporated.