Final answer:
Globalization refers to the integration of various aspects of society such as culture, politics, and economics through international trade. It has pros, like market expansion and increased access to resources, and cons, such as cultural colonialism and the loss of local cultural identities. It greatly affects the work of anthropologists who now deal with more complex and global cultural patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Globalization is the process through which governments, cultures, and financial markets are integrated through international trade into a single world market. This phenomenon increases the connections between people around the world in terms of culture, politics, and economics. For example, international trade and financial capital flows are one measure of globalization that illustrates how goods, services, and assets are exchanged across national borders.
From an economic standpoint, globalization can offer many benefits, such as market expansion for corporations and increased access to healthcare through philanthropic efforts. However, it also presents challenges, including concerns about cultural colonialism and the dominance of certain nations within the global marketplace. This has led some to worry about a potential 'McDonaldization' of the world, where cultural differences are eroded in favor of a homogeneous culture driven by corporate capitalism and consumerism.
In terms of culture change and diversity, globalization has both increased cultural diversity by allowing for more interaction and exchange between different cultures, and posed threats to local cultures and traditions. The broad reach of globalization makes it key focus for anthropologists studying modern culture, as it transforms both the subjects and locales of anthropological research and the very concept of culture itself.