Americanization (or Americanisation, see spelling differences) is the term used for the influence the United States of America has on the culture of other countries, resulting in such phenomena as the substitution of a given culture with American culture. When encountered unwillingly or perforce, it has a negative connotation; when sought voluntarily, it has a positive connotation.
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Media
The spread of American media including TV, film and American music artists, has been the main component of Americanization of other countries. American TV shows are broadcast around the world. Many of the shows are broadcast through American broadcasters and their subsidiaries such as HBO Asia, CNBC Europe, Fox Channel and CNN International. All of what is known as the "big four" American broadcasters have international distributors, for example HBO broadcasts to over 200 countries.[1] Many of these distributors broadcast mainly American on their TV channels. According to a recent survey by Radio Times The Simpsons, Lost and Desperate Housewives are among the most watched shows, with CSI being the most watched show among the surveyed 20 countries. [2] American films are also extremely popular globally. All of the top 20 grossing films ever are American made or have an American influence, either through publishers, cast or financiers.[3] Titanic is currently the biggest grossing film worldwide without adjusting for inflation, it currently holds the top grossing film title in various countries including Britain, Germany, France, Spain among others.[4] Adjusting for inflation, the highest grossing film of all time is Gone with the Wind. Often part of the negotiating in free trade agreements between the America and other nations involve screen quotas. One such case is Mexico, after abolishing their screen quotas after the establishment of NAFTA with the US.[5] Recently Korea has agree to reduce its quota under pressure from America as part of a free trade deal. [6] Many American artists are known throughout the world, artists such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley are recognised worldwide and have sold over 500 million albums each. [7][8] [9] Michael Jackson's album Thriller is at 100 million sales the biggest selling album of all time.[10] The song Amerika by the German rock band Rammstein is often seen as a satire of Americanization. It has received mixed reviews: some perceive it as anti-American, others as being opposed to globalization. The band views it as a satirical commentary on "cocacolonization." On a similar aspect the leftist rock band Rage Against the Machine released a song No Shelter in its 1999 album The Battle of Los Angeles.
American Business and Brands
Of the top ten global brands seven are based in the United States.[11] Coca Cola, which holds the top spot, is often viewed as a symbol of Americanization. Coca Cola has vending machines in over 200 countries worldwide.[12] Of the 25 biggest companies, thirteen are based in the United States.[13] Many of these companies can be viewed as selling Americanized products. Many of the world's biggest computer companies are also American, such as Microsoft, Apple Inc., Dell, IBM and Google. Much of the software used world wide is created by American based companies. The two largest Personal Computer companies, Dell and Hewlett Packard, which maintain over 30% of the market are American based.[14]
Fast Food
Fast food along with Coca Cola is also often viewed as being a symbol of American dominance and influence. Companies such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Dominos Pizza, among others have numerous outlets around the world. The success of these American companies have led to the spread of localised fast food restaurants.
Trivia
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In Sweden, there is a humorous expression stating that it is the most Americanized country in the world, and that the USA is number two.[15]
Arthur Koestler described Americanization as "cocacolonization" in his book The Lotus and the Robot, referring to Coca-Cola, a symbol of American culture.
See also
Expansion of American culture
Notes
- ^ Time Warner: HBO. Home Box Office. Time Warner (2007-05-18). Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ "CSI show 'most popular show in the world'", BBC, 2006-07-31. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ All-Time International Box Office. Box Office Mojo (2006-05-01). Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ International All Time Box Office. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ Dual forces fuel Mexican film industry. Adelante. Retrieved on 2007-08-29.
- ^ South Korea cuts local film quotas to meet US FTA demand. M&C. Retrieved on 2007-08-29.
- ^ Frequently Asked Questions. Elvis.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-30.
- ^ Michael Jackson Biography. Virgin Radio. Retrieved on 2007-08-30.
- ^ Frank Sinatra (German). tele.at. Retrieved on 2007-08-30.
- ^ Jackos Back. MTV. Retrieved on 2007-08-30.
- ^ The Global Brands Scorecard 2006. BusinessWeek (2006-08-02). Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ The Coca-Cola Company. NYSE Euronext. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ The Forbes 2000. Forbes (2006-03-30). Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ "Gartner Says Hewlett-Packard Takes Clear Lead in Fourth Quarter Worldwide PC Shipments and Creates a Virtual Tie with Dell for 2006 Year-End Results", Gartner, 2007-01-17. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ Jonsson, Göran. "Presidentens polare fick det omöjliga uppdraget", Dagens Industri, 2006-11-20. Retrieved on 2007-01-21. (Swedish)
Further reading
- DeBres, Karen; 2005; A Cultural Geography of McDonald's UK; Journal of Cultural Geography
