U8 L2: Diffusion

• process by which discrete culture traits are transferred from one society to another, through migration, trade, war, etc.


  diffusion
• refers to the spread of a cultural item from its place of origin to other places


  cultural diffusion
• there are three processes of cultural diffusion:

  1. primary
  2. secondary
  3. stimulus
• this type of process of cultural diffusion is brought about by migration, movement of people from one place to another


  primary diffusion
• this type of process of cultural diffusion involves direct transfer of material culture from one society ro another

  secondary diffusion
• this type of process of cultural diffusion refers to the transfer of ideas

  stimulus diffusion
• the effects of migration affects both area of origin and destination
• from the source country, these are the economic cost of migration:

  • loss of young adult force
  • loss of skills and entrep talent
  • region may suffer a spiral decline
  • loss of labor > may deter inward investments by private organizations > increased dependence of gov initiatives
• from the source country, these are the economic benefits of migration:

  • reduced underemployment
  • returning migrants bring home new skills
  • remittance sent by migrants reinvested in some economic projects
  • less pressure on resources in area (healthcare, food, etc.)
• from the source country, these are the social benefits of migration:

  • pop. density is reduced, birth rate decreases
  • remittance can finance improved education and health facilities
  • returning retired migrants increase social expectation > demand for better leisure facilities
• from the source country, these are the political effects of migration:

  • policies to encourage natural increase
  • policies to encourage immigration to counteract outflow/develoo resources
  • requests for international aid
• from the destination country, these are the economic cost of migration:

  • costs of educating migrants' children at home
  • overdependence of some industries on migrant labor (like construction in the uk)
  • much of the money earned (e.g pension payments), repatriated to country of origin
  • increased no. of pop. > add to pressure on resources (i.e. healthcare, education)
• from the destination country, these are the economic benefits of migration:

  • migrants tend to take up less desirable jobs
  • hos country gets skilled labor at reduced costs
  • "skills gap" existing in host countries filled by qualified migrants
  • cost of retirement transferred back to source country
• from the destination country, these are the social benefits of migration:

  • creation of multi-ethnic society > increase of understanding of other cultures
  • influx and/or revitalized providers of local services (i.e. turkish baths, local cornershops)
  • growth of ethnic retailing and ethnic food outlets
• from the destination country, these are the political effects of migration:

  • discrimination against ethnic groups and minorities > may lead to civil unrest and extremism
  • calls for control on immigration
  • entrenchment of attitudes qhich mah encourage fundamentalism