The existing gap in the trade agreements concerning a "cultural exception" led me to my thesis statement. It proves the role of the CDCE agreement as a symbolic but crucial step towards cultural diversity in the media sector and against the cultural media imperialism of the West.
For my analysis, I will choose a cultural approach. This approach is very convenient because the political and economic restrictions that were put in law by the CDCE agreement all affected cultural exchanges and supported cultural industries of developing countries. Assisting the developing countries in building up their own media systems to promote cultural expression is an important mechanism of the agreement, which helps to reduce the cultural inequality.
The influence of liberalistic structures on culture grew because of international trade agreements like the WTO or the GATT. Thus, the CDCE agreement is seen as a movement against these liberalistic structures and tends to provide restrictions for cultural industries. Due to the restrictions that are set up to protect the cultural sector, debates about the limitation of the free flow of information increased. The former foreign minister Rice expressed her concern by saying that the Convention could be misused to justify a restriction of the free flow of information.
The question if the resolutions of the CDCE are able to limit the free flow of information or if they are even an encouraging measure for a more diverse flow of information, is one of the topics that I will analyse in the following main part. In addition, I will look at the capacity of the CDCE agreement to establish media structures in the developing countries to provide an equivalent distribution of cultural products.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Main part of analysis
Underlying understanding behind the CDCE
Preferential treatment for developing countries
Effectiveness of global governance
Implementation of the CDCE in the European Union
How to improve the effectiveness of the CDCE?
Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the role of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE) as a strategic instrument to counter Western media hegemony and promote cultural diversity in a globalized world. The research focuses on whether this international framework effectively addresses cultural imbalances or if it lacks the necessary enforcement mechanisms to challenge established trade-centric structures.
- Analysis of the CDCE as a symbolic and practical resistance against Western cultural media imperialism.
- Evaluation of preferential treatment mechanisms designed to support cultural industries in developing nations.
- Assessment of the effectiveness of global governance models in the context of cultural policy.
- Examination of the European Union's role as a leading implementer of CDCE principles through bilateral agreements.
- Discussion of strategies to overcome structural limitations, such as Article 20, to ensure more binding international commitments.
Excerpt from the Book
Underlying understanding behind the CDCE
With the ratification of the CDCE, the international community introduced a measure to anticipate from the predominant cultural hegemony. Therefore, the CDCE can be seen as a step against the cultural imperialism, which is often executed through the capacities of media.
The concept of media imperialism goes back to Feyes who already recognized this development in 1981 and addressed it to culture (Feyes, 1981, p.287). This mutual connection between the unequal spread of culture and the dissemination through media should be improved by implementing the agreement.
In addition to this, the Parties want to counterbalance the negative effects of the globalization and the unequal processes in technologies. Aware of the fact that the globalization has a growing impact on cultural heritage, beside the existing economic and political influence.
Another important success, which should be created through the ratification of the Convention, is the enrichment of the flow of information. For this purpose, the Parties built up a special focus for the developing countries by promoting a preferential treatment.
This idea can be tracked back to Thussu who predicted a strengthening of the developing countries and a counter flow of information (Thussu, 2000, p.185). He presumed that this happens due to the cultural hybridity, which was caused through massive waves of migration and now offers a market for the products of the South. Because of the globalization and the improvement of technologies, people with a different migration background have the possibility to consume their national media wherever they want to.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a contextual overview of cultural diversity in a globalized world and introduces the CDCE as a legal instrument against media hegemony.
Main part of analysis: Explores the theoretical foundations of the CDCE, the impact of globalization on culture, and the challenges regarding the free flow of information.
Underlying understanding behind the CDCE: Discusses the motivation behind the convention and its aim to challenge the power dynamics of international media.
Preferential treatment for developing countries: Examines Article 16 and the mechanisms used to provide financial and technical support to emerging cultural sectors.
Effectiveness of global governance: Critically analyzes the limitations of the CDCE due to its voluntary nature and lack of binding enforcement.
Implementation of the CDCE in the European Union: Evaluates the EU's active role in integrating CDCE principles into trade agreements with other regions.
How to improve the effectiveness of the CDCE?: Proposes institutional and formal adjustments, such as improving cooperation with the WTO, to strengthen the convention.
Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings and reiterates the significance of the CDCE as a symbolic but essential step toward a more balanced global cultural landscape.
Keywords
CDCE, UNESCO, Cultural Diversity, Media Imperialism, Global Governance, Cultural Industries, Developing Countries, Preferential Treatment, European Union, Audiovisual Media, Cultural Policy, International Trade, Cultural Hegemony, Globalization, Free Flow of Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the impact and effectiveness of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE) in mitigating Western media imperialism.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include international cultural cooperation, the economic impact of global trade on local cultures, the challenges of global governance, and the specific role of the European Union in promoting cultural diversity.
What is the main objective of the research?
The objective is to analyze whether the CDCE provides a robust framework to support developing nations' cultural industries and to determine if it can effectively challenge the hegemony of dominant global media players.
What scientific methods were employed?
The author uses a cultural-analytical approach, reviewing literature and existing legal agreements to assess the political and economic implications of the CDCE.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section investigates the theoretical origins of the CDCE, the effectiveness of preferential treatment policies, the limitations of current global governance, and the practical implementation of cultural norms within European trade policy.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Cultural Diversity, Media Imperialism, CDCE, Global Governance, and Preferential Treatment.
What is the significance of Article 20 mentioned in the text?
Article 20 is identified as a problematic clause that sets priorities for previous trade treaties, potentially sidelining the cultural objectives of the CDCE in favor of liberalized trade.
How does the author view the role of the European Union?
The author portrays the EU as a crucial "leading force" that applies the CDCE's principles through its bilateral trade agreements, despite acknowledging that these agreements often suffer from a top-down structure.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2019, The CDCE Agreement. A Symbolic Step Against the Cultural Media Imperialism of the West, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/517319
