The impact of American popular culture overseas

Popular Culture

According to a senior intellectual the collapse of the Nation is based on the failure of the intellectual, cultural, political and economic policies of the state, it is important to understand that the dominance of cultural and social features lead towards the economic and political aspirations, and therefore it has been observed that many countries in Africa and Asia have adhered by the cultural and social practices of European and North American to nullify the might and support towards the authoritarian regime (David, 2002). The democratic principles of the European and North American countries have always fascinated the local population of the Asian and African countries. Apart from democratic principles, the quality of the living standards has turn the local population of the African and Asian countries, in particular, motivated towards the practices of North America and European countries. The Asian population has always referred to the practices in United States, although has also referred to the practices in European countries in some of the cases, the question then rose that why the local population of the rest of the world always refer to the citizens and the government of the United States, the reason is that because the government of United States have provided social and cultural relief to their people, as per constitution of the United States, the citizens enjoy the freedom to enjoy their life as per their wishes and aspirations, provided that their activities do not affect and damage the fellow citizens, however in the case of Europe, the religious fervor is added to the cultural values and interpretation, which might not be applicable in some of the countries in Asian and African, due to religious difference. The major highlight of the American culture is that religion has been ousted, and its role has been subjugated by free will and principles of liberty. The Asians, Africans and some of the Europeans have therefore always tried to transpire their cultural and moral understanding as per the cultural practices and social ideology of North Americans (Lopez, 1993). The American constitution has provided the Americans with the freedom to choose their personal course, and has never influenced their moral, social, cultural and religious understanding. This practice has been welcomed and appreciated by the local population of Asian and Africans countries, where the population is mainly suppressed by the authoritarian and democratic regimes, which have gained power through malpractice and malfunctioning of the democratic institutions, therefore the betrayal and deception experienced by the local population of Asian and African countries by their own rulers have extremely distort their social, cultural and religious understanding, and in protest the society has referred to American role model, and has tried to adopt their local features, however the adoption is unexpected to bring instant changes, but there is always a possibility of revolution, because sooner or later the suppressed and vandalized citizens of such countries are expected to develop their understanding of the human rights and liberty, as per the injunctions of American culture, therefore there is constant threat of social awakening, on cultural pretext, which will bring political revolution. It is not only the democratic principles which have influenced and captivated the locals of Asian and Africans countries towards American culture; rather the technological revolution inside America is viewed as a possibility by the Asians and Africans to rectify the social, political, educational and health care inefficiencies, and a suitable approach for the settlement of chaos (Lopez, 1993). The technological advancement of the United States in the field of science and space has influenced the approach and living standard of common American citizen, and each American has been able to benefit from the technological advancement by the American government sponsored agencies and research institutes, this has deeply influenced the cultural and moral understanding of the American population, and a dramatic change has been observed in the American living standard soon after technological revolution, such phenomena has inspired the local population of the Asian and African countries, therefore alienated countries has attempted and preferred to adopt the American lifestyle, and cultural behavior without any complain or regrets (Ting, 1991). Critically, such adoption of cultural behavior and approach is meaningless, the Americans did not adopt such cultural approach from any group or civilization, instead it was the economic, social, education, healthcare, technological and political development of the country that has evolved the American culture, the living standard of an average American citizen has not changed or improved to magnificent level, but yes there has been change and positive trend has been observed, but such changes are common in many other parts of the world as well including Japan, Britain and Australia (David, 2002). The adoption of the cultural values is meaningless unless the essence of such cultural values is practiced, if the American adopted and followed a culture, is was much because that was more compatible to their social and professional commitments, therefore we observed that Americans preferred casual cloths over suites, the Americans are more concentrated towards their performance and struggle to achieve the success through quickest and informal proceedings, where as British are more inclined towards formal proceedings, and have therefore being inefficient as compare to Americans, who have proved themselves to be efficient and effective towards their professional and social commitment. The Asians and Africans have adopted reverse course, the social population is expected to adopt the cultural approach and behavior of the American population with the hope that such changes will influence and improve their economic and social conditions, which is more hypothetical than practical. It has been observed that the adoption of American culture and approach has been responsible for the popularity and the growth of American products (Zelli, 1993). According to the research that was conducted in the third world countries of Asia and Africa, it was observed that many of the societies and tribes have attempted to adhere by the American culture, not because of social and political motivation of Americans, but only because such tribes were influenced and captivated by American fashion and glamour life, which in actual is misinterpretation. If most of the Americans own car, it is because the distance between their work place and their residence is so far that it is difficult to commute through many other source or mediums at shortest possible time, secondly the American banking system is strong enough to offer leasing incentives to the local population, however in Asian and African countries the local population has discarded their economic stringencies and have preferred to own a car, without any purpose, only to look and feel like Americans, such mentality has tried to justify their actions by linking it with the Americans however the cases are entirely different, the American culture is based on their need, it is not based on their convenience or preference (Swann, 1996). The research also observed that many of local population prefer fast food, and avoid their traditional food, although such adoptions are extremely meaningless, and are responsible for the further aggravation of the economic and social conditions of the local population. The American prefer fast food because the Americans have tough routine, and every member of the family is working, therefore it is difficult for such American families to cook food for the family, in many of the cases, therefore for the sake of convenience the Americans prefer fast food, so that they can eat good in an effective manner, and have more time for their professional commitment, it is the economic and technological progress of the country that has demanded immense contribution from the local Americans, and therefore the Americans have no other option but to make their activities short-timed and efficient. In the case of Asia, it is only Japan and China where the living standards have improved to phenomenal level, due to the social, economic and technological advancement of these countries, such countries have more resemblance with the American lifestyle from professional and social aspects, therefore the local population of only these countries can really fit in to the criterion for the adoption of the American culture.

PART II

The American culture is expensive to be adopted and practiced, the Americans have enough money to bear their expenses, the local Asian and African populations do not inherit enough finances to be and feel like Americans. However, as mentioned before the population of the developed Asian countries including Japan and China are in position to adopt American culture, not because the Chinese and Japanese can afford that, but it is mainly because it is their requirement. The Europeans has also adopted the cultural outfit of American, with certain amendments, but that is only because it is the economic and technological development of European countries, that has compel the Europeans to adhere by American culture. The research also observed that after a comparative analysis of Japanese, Chinese, European and American culture, it was observed that American culture was extremely efficient, flexible and effective in terms of adoption and was favorable under extreme professional and social constrains. The cultural practices are evolved and based on the financial, social and moral understanding and capabilities of the local population, and it has been observed that Americans, Asians and Africans share extremely different perspectives and understanding on these issues, therefore the cultural adoption has been intense in countries where the technological revolution has been of the same intensity as in North America (Zelli, 1993). In some of the cases, the Americans companies has attempted to nullify the concerns and shortcomings of the American culture, by incorporating the cultural values of the local region, and has therefore evolve a different taste for the customers to avail, this has further delighted and fascinated the local population of different regions towards the American culture, for example the American culture has major differences with the Islamic culture adopted in Arab countries, therefore to compensate for such difference the American companies introduced the concept of Halal food, the food which is preferred by the Muslims, the food companies including McDonalds and Pizza Hut have tried to evolve taste as per the expectations of the masses in the case of South Asia, where the masses prefer spicy and crispy taste. The cultural adoption is not purely the matter of interests and fascination, the culture is evolved not by interests but by the circumstance, the Americans live in an extremely different system, therefore the adoption by the Asians and African should not be based on the interests and fascination, rather it should be based on the element of need, requirement and significance. The Asian countries which have developed strong social, economic, trade and political collaboration with United States include China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and India. Therefore a large number of Americans have shifted and located to such Asian regions for business purpose, and their relocation has been further responsible for the promotion, popularity and the success of the cultural elements associated with Americans. According to the research conducted, it has been observed that Asians in particular the Japanese and Indians have appreciated the cultural values associated with the American culture, and most admired part of the American culture has been its continuous evolution the cultural development in case of American culture is continuous, where as the other local cultures of Asian regions are stagnant, the evolving American culture is due to the ongoing technological rise of the America. The Asians have expressed their likeness towards the American food, American casual fashion, American English language, and American technology, only because it offers comfort and pleasure which the local culture has failed to offer. As mentioned before that the American culture is evolving, therefore the evolving features of the American culture incorporates the features associated with the requirement of the present, which is in lieu with the aspirations of the Asian population. The American culture has always ignored the religious essence, whereas the Chinese, Japanese, Indian cultures, and cultures of other Asian and African regions have strong reference and the influence of the religious teachings and sentiments, therefore it is difficult rather impossible to expect evolution of different Asian cultures, resultantly the Asians welcomed and accepted the American culture. Culture is considered to be broad terminology which has different interpretations; the cultural interpretation is with reference to the rights of civil societies, the moral ethics, entertainment, language, and constitutional injunctions. Unfortunately, the Asians have so far adopted, preferred and appreciated the entertainment and glamorous version of the American culture, which is not the real essence of the American culture. The culture itself is a system, and the system has to be exercised in its true form and spirit, the Asians have ignored the system and have only limited themselves to the adoption of the sub-system within the American cultural system, which has been cause of social, cultural and moral implications for the Asian population. The Americans fast food restaurants are widely common in different Asian countries, which although enjoy a vast cultural demarcation with the Americans, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Taiwan, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore etc., only because Americans have incorporated technology into their foods, which has been strange and new development for the local Asians. The cultural inspiration of the Asians towards the Americans have been due to the technological supremacy of the Americans on the international community, it is fact that Americans reign over the international community in all the sectors including economy, technology, and research associated with the social growth and development.

The recent research has observed that there exists 'interesting differences in normative beliefs about aggression across cultures', this was widely common in American, German, and Polish college students, it was observed that the Americans were 'most approving of aggression', and similar trend was observed in the case of German students, who 'showed the smallest difference in approval of aggression against males as compared to females', similarly the students from Poland reflected 'largest difference in approval of aggression against males as compared to females', therefore it can be concluded that the cultural affiliation has been responsible for the growing influence of the each group on others, dominantly the Americans influencing the approach of fellow Europeans. In the case of Europe, in particular Spain, the American influence has been overwhelming. It is interesting to observe that American culture has been adopted and active in those countries that share political and social understanding with the Americans, the Spanish have always enjoyed cordial nature of social and political association with the Americans, therefore the American influence on the country has been continuous for decades, whereas in the case of France and Germany, the influence has not been overwhelming, much because of the difference in the political and social ideologies of these countries, therefore the French, Germans are mostly not exactly supportive of the American culture, and in some of the cases the citizens of the such countries have reflected offensive attitude towards the American culture, and has attempted to suppressed the values of the American culture. Referring back to the case of Spain, the Spanish population has adopted American lifestyle. It has been observed that the cultural influence of the Americans is surging, 'Spanish people drink coca cola, wear blue jeans, watch Hollywood movies, listen to American music, and eat fast food, and they do all these things daily', and have tried to evolve their lifestyle in lieu with the cultural aspects associated with the American lifestyle. It has been observed that Hollywood, the major icon of American entertainment has been successful to produce such movies which have strongly captivated the locals of Europe, Asia and Africa towards American culture. The local population of these regions have reflected their extreme affinity towards the American culture, the Americans have been successful to evolve the fictitious and fantasies into realities, and have further adopted such fictitious features into their culture, and this adoption has further popularized and glamorized their culture, and therefore the locals of other regions have been staunch admirer of Americans and their culture. A detail study of the world culture and history reflect that, it is not the might and supremacy that is responsible for the cultural dominance of America, before the rapid advancement and development of the America, the Soviets and the Russians dominated the world politics, have tried to influence the cultural system of their respective colonies, but never succeeded. Surprisingly, the Americans were able to influence the local population of African, Asian and European region, although the country never ruled any foreign territories, this was because the American cultural has proved itself to be extremely effective and efficient, it is not be considered a costly culture, which does not require extreme finances or economic well-being, even a simple person can adopt and follow the American culture. The American culture has kept aside all the formalities, previously associated with other local cultures, and therefore the local population of these regions welcomed a change, and appreciated the introduction of informalities into the American culture (Ross, 1998). According to research, the Americans has kept aside all the formal and legal barriers which were the dominant feature of the British culture, which was based on extreme form of mannerism, which was difficult to be adopted by the common people, therefore the majority of the people considered the British cultural system to be obsolete, meaningless, and lethargic, and therefore the British culture in particular, and the other local cultures in general failed to dominate. It has been reported that people all around the world prefer to watch the American television channels, and movies, in the case of Spain, it was reported that, 'most of the entertainment programs and documentaries Spanish watch on the television are from America, and most of the movies that Spanish prefer to watch are made in Hollywood'. The best part of the American culture has been that it has incorporated the fundamental values of all the cultural values of the international community, therefore the local population of different region find American culture more compatible to their moral understanding, although the religious values have mainly tried to create a blockade. In the case of Spain, it is extremely right to regard that 'American culture is very much a part of Spanish life', and the Spanish population has adopted different approaches related to the American lifestyle, for example, the beverage Coca Cola which is extremely popular in America, 'is as familiar to everybody as any typical Spanish product' (Denny, 2002). In the case of South Korea, the Korean people are under the extreme influence of American culture, previously the local Koreans were strange to fast food, but after the emergence of the American forces and population along their coast, the local Koreans were extremely overwhelmed by their lifestyle and cultural aspects, at present the South Korean capital Seoul has large number of food stores in each of its avenue, then ever before, different Americans outlets including KFC, McDonald's, and Burger King are widely popular among the local masses of the country (Denny, 2002). The South Koreans have shifted to American lifestyle, and their clothing have changed to greater extent, previously the local masses clad the local traditional dress Han-Bouk, but at the present the traditional dresses are more sort of formality that is to be fulfilled only on particular and special occasions, the local masses have developed strong likeness towards the American wardrobes. Different wardrobes brands including 96 New York jeans, Guess, Polo, Guest, Prada, Channel, and Cartier are extremely popular among the Korean population, in particular youth. It is surprisingly to observe that the traditional Korean outfit has lost popularity among the masses, and as per reports, 'it is hard to find clothes which represent traditional Korean culture, there are only a few stores which sell traditional clothing, and these stores have started to disappear' (Feldman, 2000). The Korean population in particular youth and kid have evolved different taste towards music, and have developed interests in the American rock music, it was observed that students prefer listening to American music on their CD players, and American singers including Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Ricky Martin are extremely popular among them. The Korean youth have developed ignorance about the Korean culture, but are fully updated and well informed about the American cultural events.