Cultural Imperialism

Cultural imperialism is the practice of promoting a stronger culture over a weaker or less desirable culture.  Usually, the more powerful culture is larger, either economically or militarily, while the lesser culture is much smaller and less powerful.  Throughout history, cultural imperialism has most frequently been practiced by Western nations.  The term is frequently used by postcolonialists when describing the era of proliferation of Western ideals and their domination over those of lesser nations, such as India and Africa.
The more modern definition refers to the acculturation of a population, either by force or voluntary embrace.  The voluntary acceptance of foreign culture can most easily be seen in the rapid spread of American culture.  The United States, while not the only modern cultural imperialists, remain one of the strongest due to their high global economic and political standing.  The spread of American values, including democracy, equality, and human rights, is met with mixed reactions, both positive and negative.  While many people think that these ideals are beneficial and should become universal, others believe that the widespread acceptance of American culture will damage the local cultures and lead to cultural uniformity.

McDonalds in Thailand

Thailand, among many other countries, has not remained unchanged by cultural imperialism.  In the 20th century, Thai women slowly began to be treated as equally as men.  They were encouraged to receive an education, whereas before they were not encouraged to learn to read, write, or do anything besides household chores and raising children.  Before the adoption of the Western value emphasizing sexual equality, Thai men were expected to have several wives at a time while Thai women were never expected to have more than one husband in a lifetime.  As women were encouraged to receive an education and work jobs, it became more accepted for a man to have only one wife at a time.  A woman's divorce and remarriage is also seen with less scorn.

  Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://www.bangkokblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/bangkok-rain-              012.jpg>.

"Cultural Imperialism- Mass Communication Context." Cultural Imperialism- Mass Communication Context. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://www.uky.edu/~drlane/capstone/mass/imperialism.htm>.

"Cultural Imperialism." Princeton University. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Cultural_imperialism.html>.

Rowntree, Lester. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014. Print.

"Western Influences on Thai Culture." Western Influences on Thai Culture. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. <http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_article/1923_western_influence/western_influence.html>.