Symbiotic Globalism

Written By Daniel McMorrow
Edmon de Haro

Edmon de Haro

With the recent cultural shift in many western countries toward nationalistic ideologies and an inward-looking political system, I think it’s important to reflect on just how interconnected our world is. Acknowledge the downsides but also envision a future that encompasses inclusion and respect. 

Aditya, Sarthak (2006) Cultural globalization refers to the transmission of ideas, meanings, and values around the world in such a way as to extend and intensify social relations. It has lead to a greater awareness of cultural differences between different nations. With this exposure comes misunderstanding but also the interconnectivity of the human spirit, which can drive innovation and positive change. Naderveen Pieterse (2015) challenges that globalization leads to an emergence of ‘global mélange culture’ through a process of blending and hybridization vs. homogenization of cultures. This process means that the base culture still exists. Identities are transformed, not eradicated. 

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Globalization simplifies an incredibly complex idea into something that ultimately can further a divide or misunderstanding. Pauwels, Luc.

Globalization stands for ‘change’ in many unpredictable ways and in many different domains. It should not be reduced to a one-dimensional process whereby local cultures are gradually supplanted by one dominant ‘world culture’. 

What globalization is can be hard to answer many western countries have displaced many cultural ideas and practices, especially in the early days of globalization, as long-distance travel becomes more ubiquitous and the world becomes ever more connected, a multidimensional street emerges. With this emergence of cultural globalization comes an opportunity to learn. What can the U.S. learn from Japan’s healthcare system? 

It’s easier to look into the frontier than it ever has. The Chinese culture is an excellent example of planning way ahead. We need to start thinking about what the U.S. will look like in 10, 50, 150 years? How do we want to treat other countries and vice versa? How should Us companies operate? What are minimum living standards in the U.S., and how can entities that operate from our shores respect similar living values abroad where their companies have a direct impact.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. 

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat.

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

The Art Of War: Sun Tzu

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As western countries continue to look inward and the populist, ethnonationalist far-right gains vote share, I hope we can still take a step back. And review the policies we enact and the impact it has on others. As whole basic economics posits free trade and globalization increases the total wealth and efficiency off the world, however, The bigger winners in the West are ultra-wealthy individuals, corporations, and investors. The proper way to deal with globalization is to redistribute the wealth from these winners to Western wage earners. King (2011).

We vaguely know the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of globalization that is taking advantage of a variation in price between two markets. Many know the how which is enabled by instantaneous transfer of money and goods. We have no ‘why’, money is a result, not a cause therefore not a why. For globalization to work a ‘why’ isn’t necessary but maybe we should start to think of why we do what we do and restart from that point. If we don’t ask these questions the world could continue down a very dark path one without care, or empathy where greed rules above all.


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Daniel McMorrow https://danielmcmorrow.com