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The Effects of Globalization and Modernization on Traditional or Underdeveloped Nations David V. Head Western Governors University Nations Introduction Globalization and modernization are subjects of necessary evaluation when looking at the evolution of traditional or undeveloped nations. This essay will first identify the effect of these phenomenon’s on the people of Qatar and Native Alaskan. Second, it will discuss the phenomenon in relationship to the Native Alaskan culture.
Third, it will analyze this in regard to the cause of the influence, whether it was direct or indirect, intentional of unintentional and whether the effect was positive or negative. Finally, as part of analysis it will discuss what the response of the Native Alaskan culture has been to the influence. Identification: Description of effects on Qatar and Alaskan Native cultures An excellent example of the effects of globalization and modernization of a western culture on a more traditional culture is the effect of the western oil trade on a specific Arab culture.
There are 22 countries which make up the Arab cultures, one of which is the culture of Qatar. This is very small, but very rich nation located on a peninsula in the Midwestern portion of the Arabian Gulf (Heritage of Qatar, 2001). According to the Embassy of the State of (2010), “Qatar experienced ten narwhals AT austere living contraltos, nards climate and famine that killed hundreds of people” (Para. 1) before the discovery and export of oil to the west brought prosperity to the region.
The same article states after oil was discovered in 1940, nearly 66% of the citizens in the country became employed in the oil industry. Also, electricity, running water, and modern healthcare ere brought the country, improving the quality of living and the quality of life of its citizenry bringing prosperity to the region once desolate. These necessary changes were a direct result of western modern oil demand and globalizes commerce. Another example of globalization and modernization is western influence on the Native Alaskan.
The Native Alaskan people are a proud and distinct ethnic group with a rich and diverse cultures. They became affected by western culture as a result of, well meaning, Christian missionaries who brought their specific belief system to he Native Alaskan and in the process introduced and in some cases forced western culture on the native tribes. Before this Native Alaskan lived a very simple but rich life. Living off the land, they took from it only what they needed and put great emphasis on family and the village community life. Alaska Natives were capable, independent, and strong of will” (Schaeffer, 1998. Para. 37). They were famous for their basket weaving, hunting, and fishing prowess. Also, they were known for their art and recognized for the distinct totem poles erected in honor of people and elisions. Now, Native Alaskan live a very different life, though a few remain in the villages, Native Alaskan are more common in the cities and often lead lives completely different from the old cultural ways.
Now, after the influence of western culture, one is more likely to see a Native Alaskan wearing a hat and blue Shares while shopping in the mall, rather than fishing for salmon to feed their family. Further, is has been observed, first hand by the author of the essay, the Native Alaskan language and dance traditions are all but extinct. Analysis: Cause, categorization and espouse of Alaskan Native culture to globalization In analysis of the cause, categorization and response to the influence one must first look and how the influence arose.
In a website established by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) American Experience, a biography is written speaking about the cultural changes as a result of western influence on the Alaskan Natives which attributes the building of the Alaska Highway connecting Alaska to the United States as the catalytic cause agent in the westernizes of the Native Alaskan. “When the Army Corps of Engineers arrived to begin building the Alaska Highway, Alaskan population was approximately 73,000. About half of those residents were Native Alaskan” (PBS, 1996).
As a result of the building of the Alaskan Highway it made it much easier for missionaries from the mainland to access Alaska, bringing with them not only their religion but western culture and values. The building of the Alaskan Highway caused a great influx of western influence and was the tipping point for a significant portion of the loss of Native Alaskan culture. Though much good was done by these signatories, such as the building of hospitals, orphanages, and schools many believe that cultural damage outweighed the benefit of the work of these missionaries.
Schaeffer writes, “The missionaries were, first and foremost, agents of western culture bent on “civilizing” the Natives and converting them to Christianity’ (Schaeffer, 1998). Though modernization was direct, meaning Native Alaskan were Increasingly targeted Tort personalization, as a result AT greater accesses gained by the building of the Alaska Highway, the change in culture was intentional. The building of the Alaskan Highway was intended to open up the territory for military use, not specifically to allow for personalization of the Native people.
The response of the Native Alaskan has been mixed. Now Native Alaskan are a very different people than they were a century ago. If one walks down the streets of Fairbanks, Alaska or even ventures deep in to the bush to a native village they will find a Native American culture that is very much changed by western influences in both positive and negative ways. For example, one rarely sees a Native Alaskan peaking in his native tongue and their culture has been ravaged by the alcoholism and substance abuse.
Schaeffer further writes, “Alcohol abuse and violence running rampant in Alaskan Native society have disheveled family and village life” (Schaeffer, 1998). Though these negative influences of western culture can not be denied, there have been some very positive opportunities brought to Native Alaskan as a result of missionaries bringing, not only their religion but, western culture to Alaska. Such opportunities are the opportunities for higher education which was not heard of a entry ago and access to advanced medical care.
In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis placed on rebuilding and educating young Native Alaskan in their old culture. The elders have begun taking an interest in teaching the younger generations the language and arts of their ancestors while instilling a new pride in their culture can be seen emerging, though infantile. Though initially the response of the Native Alaskan seems to be one of acceptance to the detriment of their own culture, they now seem to be hungering for their heritage and gaining back some of he pride, dignity and self reliance that once defined them.