With expansion of capitalism, do cultures suffer, or is cultural diversity a victim?

Question

oops wrong group, posting again:

I'm trying to think of ways that cultural diversity may or may not suffer. I'm writing an essay on this, and I am trying to write for both sides. Sometimes cultures try to maintain their traditional ways, and sometimes communities/cultures are sucked into the capitalist culture itself. What i'm trying to do is find examples of this. So far I am exploring the Amish--how they maintain their own traditions in the midst of our capitalist society. The Kayapo people is another example of what I am researching.

I was wondering if anyone else had any ideas for examples of cultures./societies being destroyed by the expansion of capitalism, or are challenging and resisting the pressures successfully. If you can provide an example, please also provide the source/link!

thanks!

Answer 1

The term "capitalism" covers a very wide variety of social and economic practices, but at it's core is promotion of the individual by personal choice.  This leads to the widest possible cultural diversity.

Societies which place the group over the individual often have a difficult time making the transition.  As an example, look at post WWII Japan.

Some researchers have a dim view of not just the spread of capitalism (McDonaldism) but of the wide reach of the Internet and global communication as well.

Native American cultures were all but destroyed by the European immigrants.  Many would say that Black Africa is fighting a losing battle.  India and China have become more Westernized in the last 20 years than in the previous two centuries.

It is difficult to remain in an isolated village when one can see the jet stream of planes overhead and is approached by traders who bring sharp steel knives and butane lighters to your door.

Under mercantile trade, Europe discarded the serf system which had been in effect for centuries.  This was the dawn of capitalism.  It destroyed many cultures but changed the basic way that humans perceived their world.

It is not always Capitalism which destroys cultures.  Other cultures (which might have capitalism) have done this.  Look at the Native Americans or the Australian Aborigines.  Personal power and greed played a very big role.  The same can be said of the Native Hawaiians.

Answer 2

My take on this question is this: Culture is a human adaptation to our physical and social environment. All culture flows from the way in which we make our living on a day to day basis. For example tribal small group cultures were an outgrowth of the necessary techniques of survival of particular peoples under a form of existence called hunting and gathering. Their culture, marriage forms, habits, and rituals were well suited to this way of making a living. The same with feudalism and the various cultural forms and religious practices associated with it.

Capitalism seems to gravitate toward breaking down feudal and other traditional forms of culture and replacing them with market relations often, as noted by Richard, characterized by a focus on the individual. So, cultural diversity associated with non-capitalist forms living are suffering as capitalism breaks them down by breaking down their economic base.

Examples: Indigenous peoples across the world: !Kung in Southern Africa, Yanomamo in Venezuela, Inuit in Canada, and many more.