What is the Difference Between Cultural Imperialism and Media Imperialism

The main difference between cultural imperialism and media imperialism is that cultural imperialism is the promotion and imposition of a politically powerful culture over a less powerful nation while media imperialism is the over-concentration of mass media from larger countries, negatively affecting less powerful countries.

Imperialism is basically the creation and maintenance of unequal relationships between civilizations, favoring a more powerful civilization. Cultural imperialism and media imperialism are two forms of imperialism. Moreover, cultural imperialism can take various forms: creating new policies, military actions, attitudes, media, etc. Therefore, it’s not inaccurate to say that media imperialism is also a form of cultural imperialism.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Cultural Imperialism 
     – Definition, Nature, Characteristics
2. What is Media Imperialism
     – Definition, Nature, Characteristics
3. What is the Difference Between Cultural Imperialism and Media Imperialism
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cultural Imperialism, Imperialism, Media Imperialism

What is Cultural Imperialism

Cultural imperialism is the promotion and imposition of a politically powerful culture over a less powerful nation. In other words, this describes the phenomenon of the culture of a large and powerful country having a great influence on a less powerful country. This usually happens between wealthy Western countries and third-world countries. Furthermore, the term cultural imperialism is used in fields of cultural studies, history and postcolonial theory. In addition, Herbert Schiller, Michael Foucault, Edward Said, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak are some prominent figures in the study of cultural imperialism.

Cultural imperialism can take various forms, such as a formal policy or military action, to the extent that it reinforces cultural hegemony. The creation of formal policies regarding education, language, or religion of a country can impose culture. For instance, when Native American children were placed in Western-styled boarding schools, teaching them to read and write English, and discouraging the use of their native language.

Globalization is another major factor that influences cultural imperialism. Under globalization, cultural imperialism happens with minimal resistance. Moreover, the spread of brands like Coca-Cola, MacDonald’s, Walmart, KFC, and Apple to third world countries is an example of modern cultural imperialism.

What is Media Imperialism

Media imperialism is the over-concentration of mass media from larger nations, negatively affecting less powerful nations.  According to Oliver Boyd–Barrett (1977), “media Imperialism is the process whereby ownership, structure, distribution, or content of the media in any one country are singly or together subject to substantial external pressure from the media interests of any other country or countries without proportionate reciprocation of influence by the country so affected.”

Furthermore, the large spread of news channels like BBC and CNN, Hollywood movies, Disney, etc. is a perfect example of media imperialism. This imposition of western media on poorer and less powerful nations can thus result in a loss of identity, create a one-way flow of media and even widen the class structure.

Difference Between Cultural Imperialism and Media Imperialism

Definition

Cultural imperialism is the promotion and imposition of a politically powerful culture over a less powerful nation while media imperialism is the over-concentration of mass media from larger nations, negatively affecting less powerful nations.

Scope

Cultural imperialism has a much wider scope than media imperialism.

Methods

Moreover, cultural imperialism may take various forms, such as a formal policy, media, attitudes or military action, etc. whereas media imperialism mainly takes place through mass media, e.g., news channels, movies, etc.

Conclusion

In brief, imperialism is the creation and maintenance of the unequal relationship between civilizations, favoring a more powerful civilization. The main difference between cultural imperialism and media imperialism is that cultural imperialism is the promotion and imposition of a politically powerful culture over a less powerful nation while media imperialism is the over-concentration of mass media from larger nations, negatively affecting less powerful nations.

Reference:

1. Boyd-Barrett, Oliver, and Janet Woollacott. Mass Communication and Society. Open University Press, 1977.
2. “Cultural Imperialism – Sociology of Culture .” Sociology – IResearchNet, Available here.
3. “Cultural Imperialism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Dec. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hollywood Sign Iconic Mountains Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix.com
2. “Study period at Roman Catholic Indian Residential School, Fort Resolution, NWT (14112957392)” By BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives from Canada – also Northwest Territories / Période d’étude au Pensionnat Indien catholique de [Fort] Resolution (Territoires du Nord-Ouest) (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia