Globalisation and Cultures in Southeast Asia: Demise, Fragmentation, Transformation

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the extent to which contemporary globalisation diminishes local culture to pose itself as a formidable threat to Southeast Asian cultural values. Southeast Asia is home to thousands of different ethnic peoples with their distinctive languages, cultures, mores and religious beliefs. These unique traits comprise their cultural heritage, which is passed down from generation to generation. However, the contemporary process of globalisation results in an intrusion into indigenous Southeast Asian cultures. In spite of the genuine fear of globalisation’s erosion of traditional lifestyles, cultural mores and religious beliefs, we argue that attempts to resist its negative implications have been inadequate with respect to Southeast Asian nations and peoples.

KEYWORDS:

• Globalisation
• Southeast Asia
• culture
• and regionalisation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 H. Richard and R. Simon, “Globalisation and Sites of Conflict: Towards Definition and Taxonomy”, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, Working Paper No. 1/98 (Warwick University, 1998).

2 A. Appadurai, Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1996).

3 S.B. Cohen, “The 2002 Annual Political Geography Lecture: Geopolitical Realities and United States Foreign Policy”, Political Geography, Vol. 22 (2003), pp. 1–33.

4 Y. Zhang, “Cultural Challenges of Globalization”, Journal of Contemporary China, Vol. 17, No. 57 (2008), pp. 733–746; A.K.M.A. Ullah, Rationalizing Migration Decisions: Labour Migrants in South and South-East Asia (1st ed.) (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2010). A.K.M.A. Ullah, Globalization and the Health of Indigenous Peoples: From Colonization to Self-Rule (New York: Routledge, 2016).

5 K. Ohmae, The Borderless World: Power and Strategy in the Interlinked Economy (London: Collins, 1990).

6 H. Kevin, “Nongovernmental Organizations and the Cultural Development Perspective: A Comment on Rigg (1991)”, World Development, Vol. 21, No. (10) (1993), pp. 1699–1708; Ibid.; H. Kevin (ed.), Political Change in Thailand: Democracy and Participation (London: Routledge, 1997). M. Chossudovsky, “‘Financial Warfare’ Triggers Global Economic Crisis”, Third World Network, available: <https://www.southside.org.sg/souths/twn/title/trig-cn.htm> (accessed 12 June 2018); M. Mahathir, “Globalisation Not Suitable for All”, Bangkok Post, 18 July 1999.

7 M. Baddeley, “Convergence or Divergence? The Impacts of Globalization on Growth and Inequality in Less Developed Countries”, International Review of Applied Economics, Vol. 20, No. 3 (2006), pp. 391–410; C.P. Chang, A.N. Berdiev and C.C. Lee, “Energy Exports, Globalization and Economic Growth: The Case of South Caucasus”, Economic Modelling, Vol. 33 (2013), pp. 333–346.

8 J. Bhagwati, In Defense of Globalization (New York: Oxford University Press, 2004).

9 A.K.M.A. Ullah and S.N.H. Alkaff, “Biological Remittance among Migrant Workers: Social Ramifications in the Philippines and Indonesia”, Journal of Asian and African Studies, Vol. 53, No. 6 (2018), pp. 896–916.

10 AKMA. Ullah, Rationalizing Migration Decisions: Labour Migrants in South and South-East Asia (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2010 (First edition).

11 A.K.M.A. Ullah and A.S. Huque, “Migration Led by Demoralization in Bangladesh: Sense of Insecurity-Based Decision-Making Model”, Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, Vol. 5, No. 2 (2019), pp. 1–20.

12 M. Idrees, “Globalization and It’s Impacts on the Course of Politics in South Asia”, J His Arch & Anthropol Sci., Vol. 1, No. 1 (2017), pp. 24‒26; R. Kluver and W. Fu, “Measuring Cultural Globalization in Southeast Asia”, in Chong Terence (ed.), Globalization and Its Counterforces in Southeast Asia: Globalization and Its Counterforces in Southeast Asia (Singapore: ISEAS, 2008), pp. 335–358. Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan, “Definitions of Globalization: A Comprehensive Overview and a Proposed Definition”, Discussion Paper 113 (Geneva: UNCTAD, March 1996), p. 7.

13 A.K.M.A. Ullah and K.A. Ahmad, “Are Borders the Reflection of International Relations? Southeast Asian Borders in Perspective”, Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, Vol. 5, No. 3 (2018), pp. 295–318. A.K.M.A. Ullah and K.A. Ahmad, “Diaspora Community in Brunei: Culture, Ethnicity and Integration”, Diaspora Studies, Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018), pp. 14–33.

14 Wallerstein suggests there is a world economic system in which some countries benefit while others are exploited. See: I. Wallerstein, The modern World System I: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century (New York: Academic Press, 1974).

15 U. Beck, What is Globalization? (Cornwall: MPG Books, Bodmin Ltd, 2000).

16 E. Said, Orientalism (London: Penguin, 1979, Reprinted in 1994).

17 F.N. Irani and M.R. Noruzi, “Globalization and Challenges; What are the Globalization’s Contemporary Issues?”, International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Vol. 1, No. 6 (2011), pp. 215–219.

18 M. Ela, “Cultural Globalization and Changes in the Urban form of Metropolis Cities, (The Case of Cairo)”, Paper Presented in 39th ISOCARP Congress, Cairo, Egypt, 17–22 October 2003.

19 Ibid.

20 M.H. Hsiao and S.P. Wan, The Experiences of Cultural Globalizations in Asia-Pacific (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007).

21 G. Hofstede and H.M. Bond, “Hofstede’s Culture Dimensions: An Independent Validation Using Rokeach’s Value Survey”, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Vol. 15, No. 4 (1984), pp. 417–433.

22 J. Baudrillard, The Consumer Society: Myths and Structures (London: Sage, 1998).

23 M. Cleveland and M. Laroche, “Acculturation to the Global Consumer Culture: Scale Development and Research Paradigm”, Journal of Business Research, Vol. 60, No. 3 (2007), pp. 249–260.

24 V. Kaul, “Globalisation and Crisis of Cultural Identity”, Journal of Research in International Business and Management, Vol. 2, No. 13 (2012), pp. 341–349. (December 2012, Special Review).

25 Ibid.

26 D.D. Qian and M. Schedl, “Evaluation of an in-Depth Vocabulary Knowledge Measure for Assessing Reading Comprehension”, Language Testing, Vol. 21, No. (1) (2004), pp. 28–52.

27 H.F. Wolcott, Transforming Qualitative Data: Description, Analysis and Interpretation (California: Sage, 1994).

28 Ibid.

29 Y. Goryakin, T. Lobstein, WP. James and M. Suhrcke. “The Impact of Economic, Political and Social Globalization on Overweight and Obesity in the 56 Low and Middle Income Countries”, Social Science & Medicine (1982), Vol. 133 (2015), pp. 67–76, doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.03.030.

30 H.J. Benda 1965, “Political Elites in Colonial Southeast Asia: An Historical Analysis”, Comparative Studies in Society and History, Vol. 7, No. 3 (1965), pp. 233–251.

31 J.J.S. Aguas, “Culture, Values and Identity as Key Elements of ASEAN Integration”, 6th Southeast Asian Biennial Conference on Religion, Values, Identity and the ASEAN Integration, DLSU, SBC, UST, Manila, Philippines, 8–9 May 2014.

32 M. Warner, “Managing Across Diverse Cultures in East Asia: Introduction”, in Warner Malcom (ed.), Managing Across Diverse Cultures in East Asia Issues and Challenges in a Changing Globalized World (London & New York: Routledge, 2013), pp. 1–17.

33 S. Ghoshal and E.D. Westney, Organization Theory and the Multinational Corporation (Palgrave Macmillan: London, 1993).

34 M. Van andLaurent, The Flow of Cultures in Organization, Theory, and the Multinational Corporation (NY: Ghoshal and Westney, 1993).

35 R. Kluver and W. Fu, “Measuring Cultural Globalization in Southeast Asia”, in Chong Terence (ed.), Globalization and Its Counterforces in Southeast Asia: Globalization and Its Counterforces in Southeast Asia (Singapore: ISEAS, 2008), pp. 335–358.

36 CRS (Congressional Research Service), China-Southeast Asia Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications for the United States (Washington: The Library of Congress, 2006).

37 J. Paul and B.S. Manfred, “A Genealogy of “Globalization’: The Career of a Concept”, Globalizations, Vol. 11, No. 4 (2014), pp. 417–434.

38 P. Maryprasith, “The Effects of Globalization on the Status of Music in Thai Society”, Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of London, Institute of Education, London: ULIE, 1999.

39 E. Beerkens, Globalization: Definition and Perspective (Composed by Beerkens, 2006), available: <https://www.beerkens.info/files/globalisation.pdf> (accessed December 2012).

40 A. Khan and Z. Larik, “Globalization and Regional Co-operation in South Asia: A Political and Social Economy Approach”, Discussion paper. # CIRJE-F-480 (Tokyo University, 2007), available: <https://www.e.u-tokyo.ac.jp/cirje/research/03research02dp.html>; J. Rüland, “The Nature of Southeast Asian Security Challenges”, Paper Presented at the Third Europe-Southeast Asia Forum Southeast Asian Security: Challenges and Structures, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, Berlin, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta, and the Federal Ministry of Defence, Berlin, 13–15 December, 2004.

41 A.K.M.A. Ullah, “Skill Drain from ASEAN Countries: Can Sending Countries Afford?”, International Journal of Development Issues, Vol. 17, No. 2 (2018), pp. 205–219.

42 R. Emmers, “The Influence of the Balance of Power Factor within the ASEAN Regional Forum”, Contemporary Southeast Asia, Vol. 23, No. 2 (2001), pp. 275–291. J. Rolfe, “Regional Security for the Asia-Pacific: Ends and Means”, Contemporary Southeast Asia, Vol. 30, No. 1 (2008), pp. 99–117; D. Heller, “The Relevance of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) for Regional Security in the Asia-Pacific”, Contemporary Southeast Asia, Vol. 27, No. 1 (2005), pp. 123–145; S.P. Limaye, “United States-ASEAN Relations on ASEAN's Fortieth Anniversary: A Glass Half Full”, Contemporary Southeast Asia, Vol. 29, No. 3 (2007), pp. 447–464; N. Vu-Tung, “Vietnam’s Membership of ASEAN: A Constructivist Interpretation”, Contemporary Southeast Asia, Vol. 29, No. 3 (2007), pp. 483–505.

43 U. Beck, What is Globalization? (Cornwall: MPG Books, Bodmin Ltd, 2000).

44 Ibid.

45 S. Baran, Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture (African ed.: McGraw Hill, 2013).

46 H.L. Lewis, Understanding Media (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1994); V. Mogu, “Communication, Health and Development: Mass Media Dysfunctional and Health Care Delivery”, in I. Nwosu, O. Soola, and L. Nwodu (eds.) Communication for Health and Sustainable Development in Nigeria (Enugu: African Council for Communication Education (ACCE, Nigerian Chapter)/Rhyce Kerex Publishers, 2008).

47 C.P. Chang and C.C. Lee, “Globalization and Growth: A Political Economy Analysis for OECD Countries”, Global Economic Review, Vol. 39, No. 2 (2010), pp. 151–173.

48 R. Baroud, “Globalization: A Culture Killer”, Japan Times, available: <https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2009/11/21/commentary/world-commentary/globalization-a-culture-killer/#.Xb2S1JIzaT8 (accessed on 22 May 2019); C.P. Chang and C.C. Lee, “The Effect of Globalization and Political Party on Economic Growth”, Eastern European Economics, Vol. 49, No. 6 (2011), pp. 5–26.

49 Baroud, op. cit.; R. Sadykova, M. Myrzabekov, R. Myrzabekova and A. Moldakhmetkyzy, “The Interaction of Globalization and Culture in the Modern World”, Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 122, No. (8–12), pp. 1877-0428.

50 Baroud, op. cit.

51 U. Beck, What is Globalization? (Cornwall: MPG Books, Bodmin Ltd, 2000); F. Vesajoki, “The Effects of Globalization on Culture: A Study of the Experiences of Globalization among Finnish Travellers. Cultural Anthropology”, Masters Thesis, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, 2002.

52 U. Hanners, Cultural Complexity: Studies in the Social Organization of Meaning (New York: Columbia University Press, 1992).

53 U. Beck, What is Globalization? (Cornwall: MPG Books, Bodmin Ltd, 2000).

54 R. Giulianotti and R. Robertson, “Glocalization, Globalization and Migration the Case of Scottish Football Supporters in North America”, International Sociology, Vol. 21, No. 2 (2006), pp. 171–198.

55 Wani Hilal Ahmad, “Impact of Globalization on World Culture”, Research J. Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. 2, No. 2 (2011), pp. 33–39.

56 A. King (ed.), Culture, Globalization and the World-System (Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press, 1997).

57 D.G.E. Ho, “I’m Not West. I’m Not East. So How Leh? – Identity in Flux: A Singlish Speaker’s Dilemma”, English Today, Vol. 87, 22, No. 3 (2006), pp. 17–24 (Cambridge MA: Cambridge University Press, 2006).

58 C. Muzaffar, “Globalization and Religion: Some Reflections”, Retrieved Dec. 2012, available: <https://www.islamonline.net>.

59 J. Sunde, “Does Globalization Destroy Culture?”, Report. Michigan: Action Institution, 15 January 2017.

60 B.H. Chua, Life is Not Complete without Shopping (Singapore: Flipside Digital Content Company Inc., 2013).

61 F. Vesajoki, “The Effects of Globalization on Culture: A Study of the Experiences of Globalization among Finnish Travellers. Cultural Anthropology”, Masters Thesis, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, 2002.

62 M.O. Eze, “Cultural Appropriation and the Limits of Identity: A Case for Multiple Humanity (ies)”, Chiedza, Journal of Arrupe Jesuit University, Vol. 20, No. 1 (2018), pp. 8–31; A. King, “Architecture, Capital and the Globalization of Culture”, in M. Featherstone (ed.), Global Culture: Nationalismm, Globalization and Modernity (London: SAGE, 1990).

63 A. King, “Architecture, Capital and the Globalization of Culture”, in M. Featherstone (ed.), Global Culture: Nationalismm, Globalization and Modernity (London: SAGE, 1990). M.F. Annku and J. Adu-Agyem, “The Impact of Globalization on The Arts in Contemporary Ghana”, Ghana Mining Journal, Vol. 13, No. 2 (2012), pp. 86–91.

64 A. King, “Architecture, Capital and the Globalization of Culture”, in M. Featherstone (ed.), Global Culture: Nationalismm, Globalization and Modernity (London: SAGE, 1990); U. Hanners, Cultural Complexity: Studies in the Social Organization of Meaning (New York: Columbia University Press, 1992).

65 Y. Zhang, “Cultural Challenges of Globalization”, Journal of Contemporary China, Vol. 17, No. 57 (2008), pp. 733–746.

66 Ibid.

67 B.R. Barber, Consumed. How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole (New York; London: Norton Company, 2007).

68 ASEAN, “2007–2008 Annual Report: One Vision, One Identity, One Community” (2008a), available: <https://www.aseansec.org/AR-08.pdf> (accessed 30 November 2008).

69 J. Flanagan Stephen, Ellen L. Frost and Richard L. Kugler, Challenges of the Global Century: Report of the Project on Globalization and National Security (Washington: National Defense University Institute for National Strategic Studies, 2001).

70 M. Singer, “Culture: A Perceptual Approach”, in D. Hoopes (ed.), Readings in Intercultural Communication (Pittsburgh: Regional Council for International Education, 1971), pp. 6–20.

71 P. Berger and S. Huntington, Many Globalizations: Cultural Diversity in the Contemporary World (New York: Oxford University Press, 2002).

72 N. Asgary and A. Walle, “The Cultural Impact of Globalisation: Economic Activity and Social Change”, Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, Vol. 9, No. 3 (2002), pp. 58–75; Y. Wang, “Globalization Enhances Cultural Identity”, Intercultural Communication Studies, Vol. XVI, No. 1 (2007), pp. 83–86; M. Waters, Globalization (London, UK: Routledge, 2001).

73 B.H. Chua, Life is Not Complete without Shopping (Singapore: Flipside Digital Content Company Inc., 2013).

74 A. Firat, Y.K. Kemal, A.S. Iķıl and T. Özgür, “Consumption, Consumer Culture and Consumer Society”, Journal of Community Positive Practices, Vol. XIII, No. 1 (2013), pp. 182–203.

75 Ibid.

76 Michael Harriot and Maiysha Kai, “Was Nicki Minaj’s SNL Performance Cultural Appropriation?” The Glow Up (2018), available: <https://glowup.theroot.com> (accessed November 2019).

77 Eze, “Cultural Appropriation and the Limits of Identity”.

78 B. Ziff and R. Pratima (eds.), Borrowed Power: Essays on Cultural Appropriation. New Brunswick (NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1997), p. 24

79 D. Cuthbert, “Beg, Borrow or Steal: The Politics of Cultural Appropriation”, Postcolonial Studies, Vol. 1, No. 2 (1998).

80 Eze, op. cit.

81 J. Sharma, “When Does Cultural Inspiration Become Appropriation in the Fashion World?”, SCMP, 6 November 2017.

82 A. Appadurai, “Disjuncture and Difference in the Global Cultural Economy”, Theory, Culture & Society, Vol. 7 (1990), pp. 295–310.

83 R. Baroud, “Globalization: A Culture Killer”. Japan Times, available: <https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2009/11/21/commentary/world-commentary/globalization-a-culture-killer/#.Xb2S1JIzaT8> (accessed 22 May 2019).

84 Appadurai, “Disjuncture and Difference in the Global Cultural Economy”.

85 Ibid.

86 B.H. Chua, Life is Not Complete without Shopping (Singapore: Flipside Digital Content Company Inc., 2013).

87 Y. Zhang, “Cultural Challenges of Globalization”, Journal of Contemporary China, Vol. 17, No. 57 (2008), pp. 733–746.

88 P. White, Shared Valued. Presented at Singapore’s Parliament (Singapore: Singapore Press, 1991).

89 P. Chatterjee, Whose Imagined Community? Mapping the Nation, in G. Balakrishnan (ed.). (London: Verso, 1996).

90 Ibid.

91 Y. Zhang, “Cultural Challenges of Globalization”, Journal of Contemporary China, Vol. 17, No. 57 (2008), pp. 733–746.

92 Appadurai, op. cit.

93 Ibid.

94 ASEAN, “Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009–2015” (2009), p. 67. RoadmapASEANCommunity-2.pdf.

95 Appadurai, op. cit.

96 K. Stenou (ed.), UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. Cultural Diversity Series No. 1. (Paris: UNESCO Publishing, 2002).

97 S. Milgram, “Behavioral Study of Obedience”, J. Abnorm. Psychol., Vol. 67 (1963), pp. 371–378.

98 A.K.M.A. Ullah, Globalization and the Health of Indigenous Peoples: From Colonization to Self-Rule (New York: Routledge, 2016).

99 J. Sunde, “Does Globalization Destroy Culture?”, Report. Michigan: Action Institution, 15 January 2017.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. K. M. Ahsan Ullah

A. K. M. Ahsan Ullah is Associate Professor in Geography Environment and Development at the University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD). Ullah’s research portfolio includes stints at the Southeast Asian Research Centre (SEARC), Hong Kong; IPH, University of Ottawa, Canada, McMaster University; the American University in Cairo (AUC), Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University, Canada; and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. His works appeared in most prominent outlets (journals and publishers) in the areas of his interests. Dr Ullah has contributed 50 articles to refereed journals. He contributed at least 40 chapters in a number of books and published 17 books.

Hannah Ming Yit Ho

Hannah Ming Yit Ho is a lecturer in the English Studies Programme at University of Brunei Darussalam. She has published in journals, such as Asiatic and Southeast Asian Review of English. Her forthcoming book chapter is entitled “Unclean Subject(s) of Depression in the Singaporean State” (Peter Lang, 2020). Her co-edited book is also due for release this year: “Engaging Modern Brunei: Research on Language, Literature and Culture” (Springer, 2020). She has held research fellowships at University of California, Berkeley and Kings’ College London.