Throughout history, people from various civilisations have
considered themselves the centre of the world, viewing their culture as the
highest form of civilisation and seeing others as barbaric. Their goal was
often to “civilise” these others by imposing their values. This pattern
continues to this day, particularly in Western societies and the Anglosphere,
which see themselves as the originators and protectors of certain ideals, such
as Enlightenment, European, or Western values. These values are often viewed as
the peak of human achievement, with those who do not follow them seen as
inferiors. The justification for this view can lead to efforts to pressure or
force other cultures into adopting these values, allowing continued economic
control under the notion of cultural superiority.
Cultural conquest include:
Hollywood’s Global Reach: Hollywood’s influence spreads
worldwide, affecting fashion, behaviour, and societal norms through its movies,
TV shows, music, and celebrity culture.
The Spread of Fast Food: Global fast-food chains like
McDonald’s, KFC, and Starbucks reshape global eating habits, often pushing
aside traditional foods and local businesses.
Language Dominance: English, promoted by the global
influence of the UK and the USA, has become a dominant language in many
countries, sidelining local languages, especially in professional and
educational contexts.
Fashion Trends: Western fashion brands and styles dominate
global markets, sometimes overshadowing local textile traditions and clothing
practices.
Technology and social media: Innovations from Silicon
Valley, including social media platforms, are used globally, shaping consumer
habits, thoughts, and preferences, often promoting Western-centric content that
drowns out local perspectives.
Western Education Systems: Many schools, colleges and
universities worldwide follow curricula modelled after Western or European systems,
placing less emphasis on local educational methods and potentially diminishing
indigenous knowledge.
From our corner of the world, in Naga society, we can see
evidence of each of these forms of cultural conquest. Cultural conquest is a
type of domination where a powerful culture imposes its values, practices, or
way of life on another society, often by changing or replacing parts of the
local culture. It occurs when the culture of a supreme group spreads and begins
to overshadow or replace the cultural norms of other regions or countries. This
form of cultural dominance often results from economic, technological, or
linguistic forces.
The concept of the “global village” has made the world more
connected through media and electronic communication, making it easier to share
information and interact globally. However, cultural conquest can have negative
effects, eroding local cultures and values as dominant cultures take control.
This can lead to a more homogeneous world culture, diluting the diversity and
richness of individual cultural identities.
