Yohanna Martinez

Mrs. Leaver
AP Human 3
20 Feb 2016
The Power of Globalization
The diverse people of the world are linked together by popular culture. Culture is distinct
to a people, varying by place and region because people develop differently according to its land
and values. Though the world is full of diversity, through the process of globalization, people on
different sides of the world experience similar aspects of life, bringing people closer together.
This diffusion of ideas was facilitated by modern technologies, but as they spread, local diversity
diminished. Yet, distinct cultural traditions of many different places have managed to infiltrate
global trends, and are now widely acknowledge.
In Mexico, Im immersed within a different culture, their foods, their values, and their
traditions are unique. Its a whole different environment that creates a whole different feeling
then the atmosphere of Texas. In Mexico as you we walk down the streets you greeted at every
corner by food venders selling snacks and drinks specific only to its culture. In Mexico, like in
many other countries, people identified themselves with their local traditions resulting in
distinctive cultures. These diversities arent just across countries, but within countries too. As
you travel across the U.S for example, each region had unique places with their own special
quirks and customs. Some of these unique aspects of a culture have managed to infiltrate
themselves worldwide. One way is through the development of transnational corporations. These
businesses establish themselves throughout the globe, which, as result, brings products unique to
that company to new areas. Consequently, the local diversity that each place holds slowly

diminishes as globalization increases causing a spread in popular culture. And so, as you travel
across the world you can be engulfed by a completely unique culture, but also feel a sense of
familiarity as you see common trends and products.
When I traveled to Mexico I found myself recognizing major restaurant chains or
companies, like McDonalds or certain clothing brands. I realized that despite the prosperous
culture of Mexico, such as its colorful traditions and rich food, globalization was still evident as
major popular trends, such movies, clothing styles, and food choices were part of the daily lives
of the people. This pattern of similarity can be understood with the process of diffusion. Whether
through relocation, expansion or hierarchical diffusion it was clear that these ideas were carried
to multiple locations and that soon differences between places would decrease and would start to
show similar cultural preferences. Its easier now for the world to be connected through
globalization, because new methods of communication have enabled new ideas to diffuse from
its hearth more rapidly and further than before. So despite being in a completely different
country, the similar aspects that embody the town connect the local people to a wider global
network, thus diminishing the gap between local cultures and global trends.
The unique cultural traditions of a place, are essential for a vigorous and colorful world,
but the global patterns created through diffusion help make the diverse cultures and places feel
like a part of a larger, global community.