Deck 8: The Culture of Capitalism and the Business of Intercultural Communication

Question 1

The commodification of culture refers to

A) a form of resistance to dominant, hegemonic forces through the alteration of pop culture.
B) the process of representing cultural experiences as authentic.
C) the ways cultural experiences are produced and consumed for the market.
D) a type of folk culture that does not participate in the cycle of production and consumption.

Answer 1

the ways cultural experiences are produced and consumed for the market.

Question 2

In New Mexico, consumers and tourists seek "authentic" and "traditional" Native American artwork because of their fascination with different and exotic cultures. In Chapter 8, this example is used to illustrate

A) commodification of culture.
B) neoliberal economic policy.
C) globalization of popular culture.
D) globalization of folk culture.

Answer 2

commodification of culture.

Question 3

As consumers, we do not pay attention to the exploitative working conditions (i.e., sweat shops, low wages, and a lack of worker's rights) behind the production of products we purchase. Instead, we focus on the power of the product to make us look and feel good. Which of the following terms describes this?

A) Cultural stereotypes
B) Neoliberalism
C) Cultural globalization
D) Fetishization

Answer 3

Fetishization

Question 4

Tourists who visit Mardi Gras in New Orleans are unaware of the harsh working conditions experienced by young factory workers in China who produce many of the products that are consumed at the festival. Instead, tourists enjoy the festivity through the consumption of products that satisfy their desire for experiences. This is an example of ___________ of commodities.

A) fetishization
B) commodification
C) tourism
D) capitalism

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT an accurate description of the relationship between capitalism and intercultural communication?

A) Capitalism has had a tremendous effect on shaping U.S. cultural values.
B) Capitalism encourages collectivist cultural values.
C) Capitalism has led to increased inequities globally and within nation-states.
D) Capitalism has led to the commodification of culture globally.

Question 6

Spectacle is a term that critiques

A) the flashy images in popular culture.
B) the domination of media images and consumer society over individuals.
C) the way consumption is politicized.
D) the use of graphic images in popular culture.

Question 7

To be a more responsible consumer, John researched where the groceries sold at the local megastore come from and how it affects the local agricultural industry. This is an example of

A) being socially, economically, and culturally irresponsible as a consumer.
B) educating oneself about the circumstances and impact of capitalism.
C) favoring one type of product over others.
D) favoring one type of store over others.

Question 8

The case study on the Bratz dolls illustrates

A) how the toy industry has made much progress in creating racially diverse dolls.
B) how the toy company capitalizes on racial differences as hip and desirable commodity to consume.
C) how racial diversity in children's toys can enhance intercultural communication.
D) how racial diversity in children's toys is the first step toward multicultural understanding.

Question 9

In precapitalist or noncapitalist societies, people make or obtain commodities for use. According to economists, these commodities have ______.

A) surplus value
B) exchange value
C) use value.
D) production value

Question 10

In precapitalist forms of commerce, where goods are bought in one place at a certain price and then sold at another site for a profit, the commodity has what economists call ______ value.

A) surplus value
B) exchange value
C) use value.
D) production value

Question 11

______ involved the implementation of protectionist polices that excluded foreign goods and subsidized cheap labor in certain industries.

A) Commodification
B) Capitalism
C) Neoliberalism
D) Mercantilism

Question 12

______ is the reassertion of liberal ideologies.

A) Commodification
B) Capitalism
C) Neoliberalism
D) Mercantilism

Question 13

The profit that is made by reducing labor costs as companies move their manufacturing and assembly sites offshore is called ______.

A) surplus value
B) exchange value
C) use value.
D) production value

Question 14

When "difference" from the dominant norm is exaggerated and constructed as mysterious, strange, and alluring, it is called ______.

A) globalization
B) authenticity
C) exoticization of the Other
D) commodification

Question 15

______ are people who earn a living through digital communication and combine this with a desire for travel.

A) Flashbackers
B) Digital nomads
C) Tourists
D) Digital natives

Question 16

Seduced through leisure, entertainment, and consumption, the spectacle serves to ______ society.

A) pacify and depoliticize
B) control and overturn
C) confuse and distract
D) support and improve

Question 17

Although only 4.25% of the world's population, the United States accounts for ______ of the global consumption.

A) 24%
B) 60%
C) 7%
D) 15%

Question 18

In capitalist culture, segmentation and stratification of ______ as well as consumers is normalized.

A) money
B) labor
C) products
D) control

Question 19

As it has evolved historically in the United States, the culture of capitalism promotes ______.

A) individualism
B) collectivism
C) socialism
D) egoism

Question 20

In the postindustrial capitalist society of the United States, identities are defined by what?

A) By who we know.
B) By what we consume.
C) By what we believe.
D) By what we say.

Question 21

Neoliberalism is characterized by fair trade.

Question 22

In the commodification of culture cultural experiences are produced and consumed.

Question 23

The history of capitalism is intertwined with the history of global migration.

Question 24

In capitalist societies, people find it easier to preserve their cultural traditions.

Question 25

Capitalism is shaped by the close networks among corporations, national governments, and global bodies of governance such as the IMF, World Bank, and WTO.

Question 26

Commodification of culture is problematic because it values cultural differences only for its marketability and profitability.

Question 27

In the commodification of culture, "authentic" culture is assumed to have existed in the past and has been lost.

Question 28

Culture, within the equation of tourism and profit, is most often seen as the most important factor.

Question 29

The "spectacle" serves to pacify and depoliticize society.

Question 30

Global problems are most often framed as social ones.

Question 31

What does it mean when culture is commodified? What is the impact on intercultural communication? Explain and provide an example.

Question 32

How can we become more socially aware and responsible as consumers? Discuss what concrete actions we can take and how these are relevant for intercultural communication.

Question 33

Provide a brief overview of the history of capitalism. How has the development of capitalism affected U.S. culture?

Question 34

In the context of globalization, capitalism is increasingly affecting countries with developing economies. Discuss the likely influence of the culture of capitalism on these cultures.

Question 35

Why is an understanding of capitalism important for the study of culture and intercultural communication today?