Notes on HIS400 Reading Assignemnt

Presenter: Jon Traina

Presented on: September 30, 2008

Citation: Srinivas, Tulasi. "A Tryst with Destiny: The Indian Case of Cultural Globalization." In Many Globalizations: Cultural Diversity in the Contemporary World, edited by Peter L. Berger and Samuel P. Huntington, 89-116. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Main question of authors: The focus of the chapter is based around the emerging cultural [culture] coming from and going into India. The author asks what are the factors that go into understanding cultural globalization? Srinivas also asks what is the structure of cultural globalization, especially from an ever-growing prosperous country like India?

Authors' Methods: The author goes about answering the presented questions through a variety of statistical research and personal interviews. Much of the research is done in the city of Bangalore, which is considered to be a highly globalized center within India. Information was obtained from various other towns and cities in the country and interviews were conducted with many businessmen, professionals, software engineers, and religious devotees. The focal point of the chapter spans from India's independence from British colonial rule to the present, more modern face of the country.

Conclusion: India is a prime example to study for not only cultural globalization, but economic globalization as well. Each form of globalization facilitates one another and allows for comparisons mainly with the Western world. India is modernizing at a rapid rate, allowing for the spread of international business among many nations while India is also a "cultural emitter" to many places in the Western world. Yoga, new age medicine, and traditional foods are all examples of the cultural globalization coming from India. There is also an influx of Western corporations like McDonalds and popular culture such as MTV flowing into Indian society.

[Relevance to] Globalization: India is at the forefront to not only cultural globalization, but economic as well. This chapter ties in well to the article about globalization in Turkey. India is a country steeped in a strong cultural identity, yet there are many identities within the one country. The traditions of the people in India are of great importance to them, and though there are many outside influences affecting their traditions, most Indians have not totally forsaken their cultural beliefs. The economy that exists in India is directly related to all cultural aspects of the modern Indian's life. India is more and more integrated into the world market culturally and economically on a daily basis, and yet is very often marginalized in potential to be a major player in the world today.

Questions to Consider:
* Did India just begin globalization after their 1947 independence?
* Is cultural globalization linear, or are there possible mishaps in the future?
* Why did the author concentrate so heavily on the religious practices of Shri Sathya Sai Baba?
* Page 90. Quote on top of page? Racist remark?
* How would Americans view the Infosys Technologies company; and is the company head, Narayan Murthy doing the right thing for his people?
* Would Saraswati Puja day (worshipping trade tools) be accepted in the United States?
* Is the international food market more important to India than the local market?
* Is the hybrid nature of India's culture and economics a positive step for the country?
* What is "sacramental consumption?"
* Are the examples of the farmers' suicides and international patent battle over spice a fluke or an indication of India's evergrowing globalization?

Additional questions to consider (from Jim Jones):
* Why does the author think that Indians may have an easier time accepting foreign influences than people from other cultures?
* Globalization affected Indians unevenly. What determined who felt its effects first and who felt beneficial effects?
* Does the amount of organization assosicated with the emission of a global "good" depend on the type of good, the source of the emission, or something else?

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Copyright 2008 by Jim Jones