Globalization through Electronic Media and Mass Migration

In the text Modernity at Large, Arjun Appadurai discusses how forces of mass migration and electronic mediation lead to globalization.  This book is proposing the “theory of rupture that takes media and migration as its two major and interconnected diacritics and explores their joint effect on the work of the imagination as a constitutive feature of modern subjectivity” (p.3). The point that the author was making is that first of all, the development of electronic media changed the wider field of mass media, and other kinds of media, making its purpose of use beyond information, which more impacts the world. Second, the author also point out how mass migration, where the increase of refugee numbers and migrants have led the world toward globalization.

The human kind has led the world towards modernity and change. It is us, who chose to control the world by out powering science and nature. We decided to hide problems and make problems, and in result, we have created a world where problems can only be seen through one dangerous yet very important subject, the media. Appadurai discusses this as he said, “Electronic media give a new twist to the environment within which the global often appear as flip sides of the same coin” (p.3).  A great example that can prove this is the issue of Global Warming. Why is it that we discovered that the carbon and emissions is a threat to our earth after it has reached its peak? Scientist has vaguely known about this since years ago. However, it was only until the media has put their attention to it then we as citizens of the world started realizing that companies who are producing these dangerous gases needs to stop. Why is it that we care so much about the latest fashion, and ignore the fact that these fashion companies use child labor for cheap labor? It is because of Media. Media has decided for us what is important to see and what is not, and has manipulated how we react to world problems, as well as how we handle it. Electronic has made this influence even stronger as they became our most accessible information source, which brings us closer to globalization.

In addition to electronic media, Appadurai also mentions that Mass migration is another significant trigger of globalization. Mass migration is the reason for the shifts of culture in the world. The moving of tourists, immigrants, refugees, exiles, and other groups has effect the politics of the world, and more importantly the system of how a nation works. Because of mass migration, political rights has become more of an issue, forcing governments to let these moving parties live in their country. This created culturalism, where identities become mixed with other identities, creating new and different ways of living. This is also an important cause of globalization. These two broad causes of globalization are responsible for the change of our society. Our society has become more culturally bonded in both positive and negative ways. Both the Internet and mass migration have allowed societies and groups from around the world create connections and relationships that are crucial but also risky.

Rossa D.