to be or not to be

Earlier this year, the Merrill Lynch Forum spoke with Dr. Francis Fukuyama about globalization. The conversation focused on how culture shapes, and is shaped by, the increasing worldwide economic integration. In his comments, Fukuyama challenges the view that globalization is leading to cultural homogeneity, arguing that societies largely maintain their individual characteristic despite economic pressures. In fact, Fukuyama asserts that these cultural values in many respects define how business is conducted within a nation.

This does not mean that society is not influenced or altered by the process of globalization -- Fukuyama does believe there is a convergence of political and economic ideologies. Rather, he suggests that there are deeper elements of culture not easily abandoned.

Q) To what extent has globalization been realized?

I think that in many respects, globalization is still superficial. Although there is a great deal of talk about it currently, the underlying tru...