- Rise of consumer culture, which places a strong emphasis on consumption and the acquisition of goods to boost ones status and personal happiness
- Culture from faraway places also became more popular thanks to stuff like the Internet and the loosening of trade restrictions
Political and Social Changes
Political Changes
- After Cold War, competition was largely replaced by cooperation
- Economic and cultural barriers fell, bringing countries closer together
- Organizations and agreements like the European Union, NAFTA, and the World Trade Organization brought about further economic cooperation
Social Changes
International organizations and collaboration brought people of different cultures into closer contact with one another
Global Consumer and Popular Culture
- Popular culture in 1920s was propagated through radio and TV
- Helped to entertain and ease people during crises like the Great Depression and war
- After WWII, industry turned from wartime production to the manufacture of consumer products
- By the 1990s, the Internet also connected people globally
Americanization
- By early 21st century, the US remained the world’s most influential culture
- Americanization = the influence and adoption of American culture, values, customs, and practices by individuals, communities, or societies outside of the United States
- Created resentment among those who felt that American popular culture diluted their unique cultural identity
- Was possible due to the US’ influence globally
- Many people also considered American culture to be throwaway culture, meaning it focused on newer, cheaper, more disposable products that created waste and pollution
English Spreads and Changes
- English became a second language worldwide due to British colonialism and through US dominance
- As more people from other countries learned English, they spoke it in new ways
- Ex: Indian English included the word prepone, which meant the opposite of postpone
Global Influences on Popular Culture
Bollywood, anime, K-pop all enjoy popularity worldwide, and help spread their respective nation’s culture
Global Culture and Religion
- In 1970s, Hare Krishna movement gained worldwide popularity, especially in US and Europe
- Based on traditional Hindu scriptures
- In 1990s, Falun Gong movement in China emerged
- Combined Buddhist and Daoist traditions
- Banned by Chinese Communist Party in 1999
- Increasing number of nonbelievers (not atheists/agnostics; people who simply don’t belong to a religion)