Cartoon 1, “Globalization Invading Markets,” is an image of several Disney character impersonating the military invading what appears to be a developing country using large high-end corporations and their symbols. In this editorial cartoon, the author is trying to make a statement about the political issue regarding globalization and the spread of Americanization. Globalization is the process in which societies, economies and cultures are spread on a global scale from the result of trade, media and communication. Americanization is the act of being assimilated into the American culture.
In this editorial cartoon drawn by Andy Singer, he portrays several Disney characters such as Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Goofy. Also, there are some local civilians present on the island. The Disney characters are all acting as members of the military; all the soldiers are Goofy’s, who act determined, brave, proud and strong. Donald Duck is the Adolf Hitler of the troop, (shown by the roman number I on his helmet), acting as the leader who’s mood is strong, fearless, and prepared for battle. Mickey Mouse, (Second leader indicated by the II on his helmet)-- his mood is of happiness with his trademark smile with his hand signaling towards the chaos. His mood is not angered or evil, but his regular joy because he is the symbol for Walt Disney. His symbol helps to predicate the meaning behind the cartoon, because without his smile, Disney would not be properly marked. The citizens on the island are flailing their arms-- scared, running, screaming and worrying.
There are several symbols and objects that help to understand this editorial. Disney was mentioned as a symbol based on the familiar Mickey Mouse. Although, the artist had these characters dress as an armed force, which signifies power and strength, because that is how we perceive the U.S. Army. They are carrying weapons to help initiate the intent the artist made to show an invasion or attack. The numerous Coca-Cola cans in the ground was shot from by cannons on a boat. Instead of using bombs, the artist displayed the ammunition as a popular, high-demand product that has spread globally to 192 countries on Earth. The fact that the Coca-Cola cans were fired from a cannon shows how much power its corporation has globally. The four boats or carriages on the sea all wear a famous logo or symbol from a global corporation. The large ship containing the cannons and a small boat behind the hill have a Nike symbol on them. The two carriages used to carry the troops have a Shell and Texaco Inc. symbols on them. They represent these companies and their support and involvement in the Globalization and Americanization of this situation. Also associated in this cartoon are symbols from other corporations like Motorola on the airplane, which is dropping televisions that they most likely manufactured and produced. Their actions signify their company leaving a mark on yet another country in the world. The McDonald’s symbols is on a flag on the boat shows its power and how its company has spread around the world. There are more than 32,000 McDonald’s locations worldwide. Last of all, the four soldiers raising the flag of the Microsoft corporation is a remake of the famous photograph of the 5 soldiers from the U.S. Army raising the USA flag on Mount Suribachi after the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. This clever remake of that time in history signifies power of many companies and how their importance and recognition is seen globally.
The setting of the cartoon is not specified by the artist but looks like an island, because it is near a coast by an ocean. The raising of the Microsoft flag on the hill could be a coincidence, but it could be that it was the artist’s intent for audience to think that the editorial could be set in the same island in Japan or the artist may not have indicated a location because he believed that the act of Globalization and/or Americanization was occurring in the majority of the World’s countries. The same idea is predicted in regards to the time in history that the artist intended; this could have occurred any time or all the time in the past maybe century. An example of constant Globalization is that three new McDonald locations open around the world each day.
The cartoonist, Andy Singer, expresses his perspective of Globalization and Americanization through the moods, reactions and expressions of the citizens of the invaded location. Their terrified expressions lead readers to the conclusion that this is how the cartoonist may feel about the widespread of this issue. The cartoonist might feel that the quick spread of the economy and society is dangerous. The civilians, instead of fearing for their lives because of the weapons, they are fearing for their possible loss of culture and jobs, child labour, pollution, epidemics and all the other impacts that Globalization or Americanization brings. The cartoonist could also be expressing the reactions of people in other cultures after being introduced to new products. An example from the film, ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy,’ is if a Coca-Cola bottle fell from the sky, the people could react in dangerous ways resulting in violence and greed because of the bottle. These processes could even result in death, which is what the cartoonist expressed by drawing a face down man at the bottom of the hill. The cartoonist is therefore, trying to help readers reach a conclusion that there are too many negative impacts that come with Globalization and Americanization. The cartoonist did not in any means express these processes in a positive way, but instead used violence and anger to portray the issues.
In my opinion, the editorial cartoon is very persuasive in expressing the Globalization/Americanization issue. The cartoonist makes good use of expression and moods in the characters to help convey his intended message. Singer also used a famous historical event to portray a powerful message about invading corporations and markets. He chose perfect symbols and logos from different global and successful corporations that have spread themselves widely among several countries around the globe. His demonstration of power through disgruntled Disney characters was clever in conveying his invasion message. All in all, Singer sang his negative feelings towards the issue with great understanding and amusement. Kenny Ausubel, Co-CEO & Founder of Bioneers, a program for those who explore nature's principles and serve as metaphoric guideposts for organizing an equitable, compassionate and democratic society, an award-winning social entrepreneur, author, journalist and filmmaker once said, “The greatest weapon of mass destruction is corporate economic globalization.”
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