Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park- Cultural Globalization World

Introduction

A cultural”text” selected for this paper is the Grand Canyon National Park, a cultural heritage site located in the state of Arizona. It is home to the greater part of Grand Canyon, which consists of multiple layers of red rock, reflecting the geological history of Earth. It occupies an area of 1,902 mi². This cultural site can be viewed as a cultural text that produces some meaning. Globalization and culture are interrelated because of the closed links between the products of globalization and cultural products. Grand Canyon National Park is threatened by air pollution. According to experts, “the air pollution and air quality in the Grand Canyon region often adversely affect not only the ability of visitors to view this  incredible landscape, but can be harmful to health on those days when ground ozone levels are elevated” (Biggest Threat to the Grand Canyon, 2017). In other words, increased air pollution and ozone levels in the Grand Canyon region result from burning fossil fuels. The application of the proper theoretical framework helps to better understand how globalization resulted in changes to the selected cultural text. Manfred Steger, the author of Globalization: A Very Short Introduction, suggests that  globalization is a cultural process and that its impact on cultural products is critical. The  Grand Canyon National Park is affected by globalization both in positive and negative ways. On the one hand, globalization contributes to the growth of tourism in the region. On the other hand, globalization leads to serious environmental problems in the Grand Canyon National Park region.

Thesis statement: Globalization has increased interest of the public in cultural tourism. The increased interest in cultural tourism has led to economic benefits. The economic benefits of cultural tourism combined with increased transportation have led to environmental pollution of cultural heritage sites.

Definition of the term globalization

The term globalization can be defined as the “phenomenon of intensified cross-border economic interaction among people and organizations” (Bhattacharyya, 2010, p. 119). At the same time, globalization affects local culture, as it generates cross-cultural issues, fosters acculturation and helps to withstand the cultural shock (Bhattacharyya, 2010).

Definition of the term culture

The term culture can be defined as a phenomenon that is based on shared knowledge, values, beliefs and attitudes and that requires passing these knowledge, values, beliefs and attitudes from generation to generation. Culture consists of the patterns of thinking that are transferred from parents to children (Chiu & Cheng, 2007). Diverse cultures provide their responses to globalization through simultaneous activation of cultural representations which facilitate creative performance (Chiu & Cheng, 2007).

Analysis of the cultural site in the context of the globalizing world

The cultural site selected for the analysis, namely the Grand Canyon National Park, is affected by the processes of globalization to a great extent. The thorough analysis of this cultural heritage site gives an opportunity to learn more about the changes that occurred in the region in recent years. These changes include economic, social, cultural, and ecological (or environmental) changes. In other words, analysing the cultural site in the context of the globalizing world, it is possible to find both positive and negative effects of globalization. The globalizing world creates the proper conditions for the elimination of any cultural barriers that affect human interaction.

Positive effects of globalization on the cultural site

There are several important effects of globalization on the identified cultural site. Currently, the Grand Canyon is considered to be one of the most popular and the most spectacular cultural sites in the world. Every year, millions of tourists visit the Grand Canyon National Park to enjoy its overwhelming panoramas (Biggest Threat to the Grand Canyon, 2017). People who come to this cultural site are impressed by the beauty of the natural environment. They can share their views, using social media sources, like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others. The use of social media tools helps to unite people of different cultures. This fact means that the cultural site like the Grand Canyon National Park allows many people to become more open to communication. Many people use mass communication systems to dissemination cultural information through the Internet. This is one of the  benefits of globalization. As there is a relationship between globalization and democracy, this cultural site helps to promote democratic relations. Tourists are involved in social interaction. As a result, they become more tolerant towards each other. This fact means that  people who come from other countries are not considered aliens.

Besides, the Grand Canyon National Park has become a successful business for many companies, both small and large ones. These companies include tourist agencies, entertainment agencies, hotels, restaurants, transportation agencies, and other organizations. As this cultural site provides a great travel experience, its economic analysis can help to assess the benefits of business expansion caused by globalization in the region. Currently, the Grand Canyon National Park generates high amounts of  consumer spending that helps to maintain employment opportunities (Davis, 2016). About 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon National Park every year,  according to the statistical data provided by economists of the National Park Service. Experts provide findings that “these visits result in $584 million in consumer spending in local communities and support about 8,897 jobs” (Davis, 2016). Globalization has the potential to make this cultural site a better place for residents and tourists because many deep-seated problems, like unemployment and poverty, can be resolved easily.  These facts mean that globalization helps to promote tourism, improve local economy through the growth of small businesses, and address the problem of unemployment in the region.

In addition, globalization is considered to be an effective cultural strategy applicable to the selected cultural site to ensure cultural development and sharing of scientific information on the geological history of the Earth. Many scientists come to the Grand Canyon with the goal of performing research studies and other scientific works. For example, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) is known to serve the role of the science provider for the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. The research centre provides valuable scientific information regarding the natural, cultural, and recreational resources found in the of the Grand Canyon National Park area and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Centre, Official Website, 2017). The cultural site like the Grand Canyon National Park is a centre of global research work, which helps to reduce barriers between nations in the world of science (Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Centre, Official Website, 2017).

Negative effects of globalization on the cultural site

There are certain negative effects of globalization on the selected cultural heritage site. The Grand Canyon National Park is not only a cultural heritage site, it is an important business centre in the United States. It contributes to the development of local economy, but the key business operations have an adverse impact on natural resources. There is much evidence that air pollution and poor air quality in the Grand Canyon region are two serious ecological problems that require the proper solutions.  Tourists have no ability to view the incredible landscape and the harmful impact of air pollution to health is obvious (Biggest Threat to the Grand Canyon, 2017).The increased air pollution and ozone levels in the Grand Canyon region result from burning fossil fuels (Biggest Threat to the Grand Canyon, 2017). Globalization has negative effects on the cultural site because of the lack of concern for the local environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and serious ecological damage caused by transportation in the region. According to experts from the Grand Canyon National Park Service, “air pollution has routinely drifted into the Canyon from metropolitan areas and nearby coal-fired power plants, affecting visibility from scenic vistas” (Environmental Factors, 2017).

Moreover,  the growth of globalization has influenced human activities conducted in the Grand Canyon National Park. Over the years, the natural resources of the Grand Canyon National Park region were affected in different ways. According to experts from the National Part Service, “humans have introduced non-native plant and animal species into the park, which out compete native flora and fauna for space, food and water” (Environmental Factors, 2017). This fact means that globalization leads to creation of new environment in the region, which may have an adverse impact on flora and fauna ( Environmental Factors, 2017).

Additionally, globalization has led to considerable changes in supply of water resources. It has been found that water in some streams of the Grand Canyon National Park is being polluted with fecal coliform that come from animal and human waste. As the construction of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963 influenced the functioning of the riparian and aquatic ecosystems of the National Park, there are serious problems with water supply today (Environmental Factors, 2017).  The construction of Glen Canyon Dam is connected with the need for providing water supply to the local areas in order to organize industrial processes (Environmental Factors, 2017). These industrial processes are related to globalization requirements, such as expansion of businesses, entering new markets, developing new products, using technology and others.

The effects of globalization on the interaction between the cultural text, its socio-cultural context, the audience and the brokers

The effects of globalization on the interaction between the cultural text, its socio-cultural context and the audience are significant. Tourism plays an important role in the contemporary globalizing world. There is a close link between tourism and modernity because of the preferences of  Western tourists and their need for authentic experiences. The growth in the number of tourists can be explained by the growth of the global tourism industry. From the tourism perspective, local governments are interested in coordination of tourism business (Raikhan et al., 2014). In addition, researchers state that globalization fosters mutual penetration of different trends in art and facilitates their exchange. According to researchers, “globalization describes the acceleration of the integration of nations into the global system” (Raikhan et al., 2014, p. 8). Globalization leads to the expansion of cultural values and strengthens the ties between the peoples. At the same time, globalization makes culture to serve the interests of the economic market (Raikhan et al., 2014).

Besides, the Grand Canyon National Park is a place that attracts people of from diverse cultural backgrounds. They are interested in the history of the cultural site and share common ideas on how to save the natural environment. Researchers state that “globalization has brought symbols of diverse cultures together and provided ample opportunities for the simultaneous activation of two or more cultural representations” (Chiu & Cheng, 2007, p. 84). People who visit this cultural site are tourists who come from all parts of the world. Many of them are scientists, historians, ecologists and environmentalists. They are ready to share their ideas in order to develop effective ecological strategies. The key finding provided by Bhattacharyya (2010) in his study is that diverse cultures can foster creativity in the globalizing world through  simultaneous activation of cultural representations. It clearly defines the factors that contribute to the growth of globalization in the selected region. Hence, the cultural impact on globalization is enormous. Globalization helps to remove cultural barriers, providing positive environment for economic stability, social development and political relations. In addition, globalization strengthens cultural integration that cultivates sensitivity and mutual respect for the people from other cultures (Bhattacharyya, 2010).

Actually, the brokers are the marketers, distributors and other players in the global market that are aimed at connecting the cultural text to the public. The interaction between the cultural text, its socio-cultural context, the audience and the brokers depends on the strategic business goals. In the case of the Grand Canyon National Park, tourists are attracted by the socio-cultural context of the cultural site that is shaped by the history and natural environment. The Grand Canyon site is unique because of the massive tourist opportunities provided by this destination.  Tourists have a chance to participate in a number of activities like hiking, white-water rafting, and donkey rides.

The fact that the Grand Canyon National Park is a unique cultural site means that it encompasses not only canyons, but also river tributaries, and impressive surrounding grounds. The National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979; therefore, it is recognized in many countries as a socio-cultural context that shapes global cultural interaction. There are many national monuments in the park that are considered to be important historical monuments. Among them are   Navaho National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Wupatki National Monument and Rainbow Bridge national Monument. Currently, many people are ready to support the National Park. They provide protection of the National Parks through regular donations (Davis, 2016).

Conclusion

Thus, it is necessary to conclude that the cultural site selected for the analysis, namely the Grand Canyon National Park, is affected by globalization in both positive and negative ways. On the one hand, the Grand Canyon National Park has become a centre of global tourism, attracting millions of people every year. On the other hand, the Grand Canyon National Park faces a number of environmental problems, such as air pollution, limited water resources, and other environmental problems. All in all, this paper provides much evidence that globalization affects the interaction between the cultural text, its socio-cultural context, the audience and the brokers. The Grand Canyon National Park as a business entity depends on collaboration of the key players in the market. Each player contributes to the growth of business opportunities of the cultural site.

Annotated Bibliography

Bhattacharyya, D. K. (2010).“Globalization and Culture,” in Cross-Cultural Management: Text And Cases, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.

This source provides much important information on the link between globalization and culture.

Biggest Threat to the Grand Canyon. (2017). ACERT group.com. Retrieved from:<http://acertgroup.com/grand_canyons_biggest_threat.htm>

This source of information helps to better understand the environmental problems occurring in the Grand Canyon region.  It has been found that the high rates of pollutants are caused by   transportation, such as aircraft, cars, buses, trains, trucks and other vehicles which use fossil   fuel, as well as by hundreds of plants that operate in the United States. In addition, this cultural    site is visited by almost five million visitors who come to the Grand Canyon National Park  every year.

Chiu, C. & Cheng, S. (2007). “Toward a Social Psychology of Culture and Globalization: Some Social Cognitive Consequences of Activating Two Cultures Simultaneously,” Social and Personality  Psychology Compass, 1(1): 84-100.

In this article, researchers pay due attention to cultural phenomena in social psychology, as well as to the cultural impacts of globalization. This source contributes to understanding of the effects of diverse cultures on the  cultural site.

Davis, E. (2016). “Tourism to Grand Canyon National Park Creates $584 Million in Economic Benefits,” National Part Service. Retrieved from:<https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tourism-economic-benefits-2015.htm>

This source of information helps to learn more about the economic benefits of the National Park and identify the impact of globalization.

Environmental Factors. (2017). Grand Canyon National Park Service. Retrieved from:<https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/environmentalfactors.htm>

This source of information helps to identify the negative effects of globalization on the cultural site.

Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Centre, Official Website. (2017). Retrieved from:<https://www.gcmrc.gov/>

This source provides interesting facts about research work initiated in the Grand Canyon  National Park with the goal of developing and implementing a long-term monitoring and research program to deliver information related to dam operations and environmental     protection.

Raikhan, S., Moldakhmet, M., Ryskeldy, M. Alua, M. (2014). “The Interaction of Globalization and  Culture in the Modern World,” Procedia – Social and Behavioural Sciences, 122: 8-12.

This article explores globalization as a constant process that affects changing cultural patterns. This source helps to learn more about the impact of globalization on the cultural heritage site like the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

Steger, M. B. Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

The author states that the ecological impact of globalization is considered to be life-threatening  because of the negative effects on the environment. This source helps to explain how   globalization affects the Grand Canyon National Park.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

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"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

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freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
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[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
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