As members of the Plano community, we are recipients of its many accommodations. We all enjoy the McDonald’s around the corner from our houses and the Pepsi and Coke offered at our local restaurants. But, as we enjoy each of these commodities, are we thinking about what a little carbonation and a greasy burger can do on a global scale? Americanization is creating an increasingly adverse effect on the global community. It has caused a worldwide debate on whether it is helping or hindering the culture and quality of living in other nations. It is important that Americanization remains a helpful and benefiting tool to other countries and that it does not create ill sentiments towards the American way of life.
Americanization started out as a coined phrase during the 1900s that marked the movement of immigrants from their cultural ways to the customs of American society. As time has elapsed, the idea of Americanization has drawn itself negative connotations from foreign counterparts.
American capitalism has caused Pepsi and Coca-Cola ads to clutter the streets of other nations. The most notable mark of American society traveling across borders is that of the McDonald’s Big Mac. These famous golden arches are the most symbolic representation of an “Americanized” world. Even countries ruled under communism, such as China and Russia, have not escaped the grasp of Americanization. Both of these countries have recently become home to a number of McDonald’s food chains along with Kentucky Fried Chicken and Domino’s Pizza.
The strong involvement of American capitalism in other national economies creates a sense of American supremacy. Though politicians and other Americans have no hand in the spread of goods and ideas, this strong American force has created an intolerant feel in the minds of citizens from other countries.
Countries have argued that this rapid expansion of American capitalism has not helped their nation but has simply devalued its cultural traditions. Some countries have found America’s presence to be overbearing and the cause of disintegration among divergent ways of living. Americanization has caused Europeans to stereotype Americans as spoiled, shallow and shortsighted. An argument has even been formed to suggest that Americanization fueled the fire behind the attacks on September 11, 2001. Americanization has not only caused an underlying hatred of the United States among the other countries within the global community, but it has also created a generation of people who are willing to retaliate against America’s injustice.
As the world’s only superpower, it is important that America uses its spheres of influence, such as economic wealth, to help make surrounding nations prosper rather than suffer. Leadership should demonstrate both understanding and acceptance for alternate lifestyles. Though the “American way” is successful, it is not the only way, and it would be contradictory for the “Land of Opportunity” to promote what they deem is the “correct” way to live.
