There are many who mistakenly believe a global identity would promote a western worldview and cause the westernization of the world while destroying other cultures. This view may come from the imperialistic attitudes of nations in the eighteenth-century. However, a true global identity would incorporate cultures from around the world. They may not remain exactly the same, new, unique customs may be created through hybridization: the mixing of cultures. Hybridization naturally occurs through contact with other societies and has lately increased because of globalization, which links people together. The creation of jazz occurred through hybridization: it combines African-American folk songs with classical music and has West-African influences. The new elements from the creation of a global identity will expand the horizons people have to express themselves. A person will be exposed to different cultures and new cultures will be …show more content…
Even now, people are listening to the same music, watching the same films and encountering similar experiences. This so-called "popular culture," allows people to relate easily with others, which creates better international relationships. A person from China may have little in common with a person in Uruguay, but they can bond over their common interests from popular culture. Two major forces in the spread of popular culture are transnational corporations and the media. Transnational corporations expose countries to different goods, allowing more and more people to try foreign things. MacDonald’s, a corporation that operates in over one-hundred and twenty three countries, is exposing people to the American fast-food culture. The media has the power and capability to reach a wide audience; therefore it is extremely influential in the spread of a common culture. Some fear that pop culture causes people to disregard their native heritage, thus destroying cultural diversity. This can be combated by promoting individual cultures while accepting a common global identity. People can maintain their own, unique heritage while being a part of the global