Finding a Common Thread in Culture The globalization of the American fast food industry has presented itself as a modern process of assimilation throughout the world. As the United States continues to dominate as a global economic power, there is not only a transition towards its social and cultural ideals, but also an assimilation as it continues to shape the ideologies of local groups around the world. The correlation between economic expansion and the rise of American influence can be traced back to the early 20th century. During this period, the United States was an imperial power that viewed imperialism as a central aspect of the period of great modernization. The latter gave rise to a concept known as “national consciousness,” in which instead of embracing the differences of others, the United States aimed to assimilate everyone into one nation through a common thread: culture. Although the United States itself is still establishing its own culture, this fragile new American culture has become dominant with the help of the expansion of technology in the modern era. As globalization ushers in a new period of modernization, traces of American imperialism have resurfaced once again, no longer under the rubric of assimilation, but in the context of McDonaldization, in American fast food companies. The imperial legacy of the United States has a double-fold effect, creating a problematic relationship between culture and society. Since the 20th century, a sense of dominant and subordinate cultures has emerged. Due to its worldwide influence in terms of political interactions, economic relations, and cultural ideals, American culture has become a dominant force throughout the world. Even though American culture is new and made up of a......middle of paper......many places around the world. The slow erosion of culinary traditions in Chinese culture is just one example of this problem. When globalization becomes a source of imperialism, eroding historical cultural ties under the guise of modernization, the results are troubling. Combating the negative effects of this globalization process will require a reevaluation of what globalization is meant to represent in the world. The concept of international integration must be implemented in all aspects of the global world, not just in terms of trade. Furthermore, a reevaluation of appreciation is needed not only for dominant modern cultures, but also for local traditional cultures. Instead of finding a way to meet the standards of Americanization, it is necessary to attempt to set precedents of globalization by integrating greater cultural diversity in the face of global trends..