The increased ease at which people are able to move around
the world, in and out of different sovereign states, is one of the many aspects
of globalisation. (Freeman, 2006) It is for this reason that you only need to walk down the
streets of any of Australia’s major cities to see what a transnational country
has become. We have tourists, students, professionals, asylum
seekers and those wishing to make a more permanent move landing on our soil so
see the great sunburnt country. It is
the increase in global media and communication that has, in a sense advertised
Australia to the rest of the world. While
some believe this is the end of less prominent cultures, I see it as an
increased richness of life. (Pickering, 2001) The
differing cultures of Melbourne give the city it’s vibe through food, art,
music and the people.
While the
development of Australia as a transnational country brings these positives it
also brings negatives. This variance of cultures has had a large impact on the
accepted norms and the way we communicate. (Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, 2012) One of my close friends from Norway recently applied for a job in Box
Hill, Melbourne, only to be turned away, not because her English wasn’t good
enough, but because she didn’t speak Chinese.
This goes against the foundations of Australia being an English speaking
country. All in all very little except
for the power that the sovereign state still holds will stop the movement of
people around the world and as long as we remember where we come from it is a
very exciting time.
References
Pickering, J., 2001, 'Globalisation: A threat to Australian culture?', Journal of Australian Political Economy, No. 48.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbGuqmaDgLA&feature=player_detailpage
Really interesting blog. Your opening sentence really grabbed my attention. Australia is an increasingly multicultural nation and you really helped put in perspective. Your example about your friend was quite shocking. This blog was extremely well written and and well presented. Good work!
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