Political Science - Politics in Quebec (Canada) Research Paper

Political Science - Politics in Quebec (Canada) - Research Paper Example Cultural globalization refers to the emergence of a combination of values and beliefs even across the world. Globalization is associated with a clash of ideas, lifestyles, and identities, as well as enhanced interdependence within the international community. The amplification of international migration and advancement of technology has led to an increased ethnic and cultural diversification of societies. Canada hosts a constantly increasingly number of immigrants, majority of who originate in cultural1 environments that do not share similar values with the host society (Di Sciulo 2011, p. 28).1 The pressure of globalization on language and culture has triggered a remarkable range of research and analysis. This is certainly true in Canada where scholars and policy makers have long been anxious on the impact of globalization on local culture and language. The problem has aroused keen interest, especially owing to Canada’s geographical and cultural proximity to the U.S., the world’s biggest exporter of cultural products, as well as Canada’s internal division of twin population, French and English. Of recent, issues 2of globalization, ethnicity, and politics of identity have been dominant in Canada, especially in the region of Quebec. Most inhabitants of Quebec have raised concerns on the effects that cultural homogenization could have on Quebec’s distinct culture and language (Fletcher 1998, p. 360). 2 Most Quebeckers are fearful that increased globalization will lead to language loss or language shift together with their cherished cultural heritage. Language shift in this case refers to circumstances in which speech communities witness gradual displacement of a certain language by another. The language question in Quebec has constantly aroused mixed feelings of anxiety and passion enveloping maintenance of cultural and linguistic diversity. Language