A Critical Thinking Approach to Globalisation and Culture

Abstract

The diverse and complex cultural consequences of the present time have
been subject to various studies. The new non-material digital forms of
communication make the global cultural flows to move easier and more freely
around the globe, a phenomenon that has been associated with many cultural
consequences. Major theses, such as homogenization (standardization around a
Western or American pattern), polarization (resistance to cultural conformity or
standardization and emergence of cultural alternatives), and hybridization have
been used as relevant analysis criteria. Having in mind the final objective
(respectful contact with other cultures and successful intercultural
communication), the present study, as part of a larger enterprise, is an
introduction to a critical thinking approach to cultural awareness and the need for
a cultural paradigm shift.