Is Globalization Americanization?

The major question I will address in this blog is as follows; “Are Globalization and Americanization the same thing?”
The definition of globalization is to extend to other or all parts of the globe; to make worldwide. To make or become American in character; assimilate to the customs and institutions of the U.S. By these definitions both are separate terms, but according so some they are one in the same. How is this possible? When America was just beginning it was very isolationist and protectionist. However as America grew in wealth and political influence its ideas began to spread around the world. American technology and products began to export and America began to import goods. Countries began not only conversing but also selling and buying between them. The world slowly became smaller as every country joined in the globalization. A global economy formed as smaller and larger economies began to depend on each other. The spread of ideas also began to flow when ships arrived in other countries. Each country’s product began to bring along with it the cultural identity of its origin. Values of society extended from America to the southeastern Asian countries. American’s advanced technology arrived in countries and brought democracy along with them. But is the global spread of American values such as democracy, liberty, and free market globalization? I do not think it is. I think that although America has a large influence on the world’s economy it does not control other governments (besides Iraq and Afghanistan). Take Japan for example, many Japanese products, TV shows and movies are seen worldwide. America has even caught on to one of the hottest food trends from Japan, sushi. But is Japan guilty of trying to spread its influence like crazy and control the world, like America has been accused of? China is another example; it has a growing economy a communist government and little human rights for its citizens. However China is a large trading partner with the United States. How is it that there are not immense amounts of Christians in china, or that china is not extremely obese? Because China did not adopt American culture as their own. China was and is part of the growing global economy today. America has multitudes of its products made in china and yet Chinese culture did not spread through America. Globalization does not favor one country, nor can it be defined through one country’s actions. In addition, referring to the article we read, America itself is not trying to spread its influence through opening McDonalds stores in France, the business that owns McDonalds is looking to increase its profits. One cannot place blame on a country, when it is a single business within the country pushing its profits. I believe that globalization is the spread of all ideas through out the world and Americanization is the effort of one country to spread its ideas, whether they be good or bad.