Homogeneity, Is it plausible, possible, feasible and desirable?

          In recent times, scholars have begun to see homogeneity in two main forms; i. a positive utopian form where the removal of differences creates an even tighter network of global cities ii. a process whereby rich culture and heritage of certain areas are erased and replaced by global companies, and which negatively impacts locals. This draws the question as posed in the title: Is homogeneity really plausible, possible and feasible? That is, is it even likely to occur, especially in areas where culture and norms are the foundational root of its people. How easily can this transition be obtained, and over how much time? Surely the buildings can change, but not so much the day to day activities of its inhabitants. 
      The second question, which postulates if it is desirable, is the main theme of this blog post. We can see homogeneity taking shape within Trinidad, through international trade, as well as the shape and forms of newly constructed buildings. We must now ask ourselves, is this transition for the best? Or will it ultimately lead us to a fragmentation of culture where our identities as Trinidadians, and even self-identity, is compromised or forced to alter in some way to "keep up" with this cultural shift. 

One of Several "Megastores" within Trinidad

A Possible Scenario? Year 2100

From above, the country looked so vibrant, so colourful. The plane swooping down into the airport tarmac brought with it a cluster of tourists, eager to see the differential culture of Trinidad, and experience its wonders, including the famously home-cooked cuisine. The first night was spent in a hotel, almost exactly like the ones back home, thought Phillip. No matter, the next day promised to provide a surety of adventure. The cab hovered up at dawn, and they were off. He and his wife sat at either window, eager to see what Trinidad had to offer. The highway, lit with neon blue magnetically propelled the cars forward, at speeds that made it difficult to distinguish structure, everything a blur of paint-foreign made. 

It was only when the cab slowed as it reached the destination that Phil glimpsed the reality. The colours he espied from above? The main colours of corporate towers. The cuisine that they so desired? Branches upon branches of global fried chicken, too many to count, on every corner. Where was the culture, he wondered? How had Trinidad been reduced to this? The towering walls in a neighbouring village whispered the answer, angrily. There was no more of these; no room for "Aunty's Roti Shop" nor room for "The Magnificent Seven", especially with land at a premium. The children, no longer taught ABC's as Ant, Bat, Crab with the use of Boyo and Carla, but instead taught in a classroom with no teacher, just a video presentation OF a teacher. Of course the culture was gone. Hidden behind the freshly built walls, while the buildings which the walls were intended to mask crumbled in disrepair, housing the last few remnants of Carnival, of Old Mas and Kaiso, of "Aye Neighbour and Neighbour how yuh going?" and of taking credit at a shop when you forget your change. 

1. The picture taken represents just one of multiple different megastores within Trinidad, established by multinational companies. Currently, they are seen as positives- Convenient and often supplied by items that would be difficult to find elsewhere. However, one wonders whether over time, if the numbers of these would multiply and drive local hardware owners out of business.

2. The idea of homogeneity is certainly not all negative, and most definitely will be positive at some level. It is only when it begins to supersede a country's already existing cultural value that it begins to become a problem. While not all culture would seem important, and certainly some would be negative, culture must be understood as shaping the minds of Trinidadians, and in setting a template for what is the norms of right and wrong within it's people. Creativity steeped in this culture, the art and music which is housed within the body of Trinidadians, could be under threat by this transition towards homogeneity.
City and Regime in the American Republic by Elkin speaks of an alteration of civil liberties, and ponders whether homogenization will increase inequalities; i.e., those who do not subscribe to the process will be further viewed as "abnormal" than currently. In the scope of individual liberty, there is such a thing as too homogenous than what is desired. A link is also made to those of property rights within this process of homogenization; to what degree can a property owner resist this process, or even spread this process through the construction of a structure which models the modal, normative structure in the Global North.

3. http://www.quebecoislibre.org/11/111115-12.html 

The link posted aims to represent the perils of Cultural Homogeneity which is often a byproduct of homogeneity brought about by "development. These perils are outlined as:

a. Being Dictated by the government and not voluntarily embraced by those people within the culture (not just those who earn a living through the culture, as in musicians etc., but also those who experience the culture, as appreciators of the music etc.)

b. Homogeneity stifles progress and Innovation

c. Comes at a cost to those who resist it,through the imposition of penalties

d.Weakens Capacity for Argumentation and Critical Thinking.