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[[Image:Can of US Cola.jpg|thumb|Can of U.S. Cola in the [[West Bank]]]]
'''Americanization''' (or '''Americanisation''', see [[American and British English spelling differences#-ise / -ize|spelling differences]]) is the term used for the influence the [[United States|United States of America]] has on the [[culture]] of other countries, resulting in such phenomena as the substitution of a given culture with [[Culture of the United States|American culture]]. When encountered unwillingly or perforce, it has a negative connotation; when sought voluntarily, it has a positive connotation.

==Media==
{{cleanup-section|date=August 2007}}
The spread of American media including [[television|TV]], [[film]] and American [[music]] artists, has been the main component of Americanization of other countries. American TV shows are broadcast around the world. Many of the shows are broadcast through American broadcasters and their subsidiaries such as [[HBO Asia]], [[CNBC Europe]], [[Fox Entertainment Group|Fox Channel]] and [[CNN|CNN International]]. All of what is known as the "big four" American broadcasters have international distributors, for example HBO broadcasts to over 200 countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timewarner.com/corp/businesses/detail/hbo/index.html | title=Time Warner: HBO. Home Box Office | publisher=[[Time Warner]] | date=[[2007-05-18]] | accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> Many of these distributors broadcast mainly American on their TV channels. According to a recent survey by Radio Times [[The Simpsons]], [[Lost (TV series)|Lost]] and [[Desperate Housewives]] are among the most watched shows, with [[CSI]] being the most watched show among the surveyed 20 countries. <ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5231334.stm | title=CSI show 'most popular show in the world' | publisher=[[BBC]] | date=[[2006-07-31]] | accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> American films are also extremely popular globally. All of the top 20 grossing films ever are American made or have an American influence, either through publishers, cast or financiers.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/alltime/intl.htm | title=All-Time International Box Office | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | date=[[2006-05-01]] | accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> Titanic is currently the biggest grossing film worldwide without adjusting for inflation, it currently holds the top grossing film title in various countries including [[United Kingdom|Britain]], [[Germany]], [[France]], [[Spain]] among others.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/alltime/ | title=International All Time Box Office | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> Adjusting for inflation, the highest grossing film of all time is [[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]. Often part of the negotiating in free trade agreements between the America and other nations involve [[screen quotas]]. One such case is [[Mexico]], after abolishing their screen quotas after the establishment of [[NAFTA]] with the US.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://x.adelantesi.com/news/story.php?ID=387|title =Dual forces fuel Mexican film industry|publisher =Adelante|accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref> Recently Korea has agree to reduce its quota under pressure from America as part of a free trade deal. <ref>{{cite web|url = http://movies.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1085923.php/South_Korea_cuts_local_film_quotas_to_meet_US_FTA%A0demand|title = South Korea cuts local film quotas to meet US FTA demand|publisher = M&C|accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref> Many American artists are known throughout the world, artists such as [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Elvis Presley]] are recognised worldwide and have sold over 500 million albums each. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elvis.com/elvisology/faq/faq.asp?qid=8|title=Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=Elvis.com|accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virginradio.co.uk/music/artists/michael_jackson/|title=Michael Jackson Biography|publisher=Virgin Radio|accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.tele.at/stars/?StId=606|title=Frank Sinatra (German)|publisher=tele.at|accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref> Michael Jackson's album [[Thriller (album)|Thriller]] is at 100 million sales the biggest selling album of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/16112006/jackos_back|title=Jackos Back|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2007-08-30}}</ref>

The song [[Amerika (single)|Amerika]] by the German rock band [[Rammstein]] is often seen as a [[satire]] of Americanization. It has received mixed reviews: some perceive it as anti-American, others as being opposed to [[globalization]]. The band views it as a satirical commentary on "[[cocacolonization]]."

On a similar aspect the leftist rock band [[Rage Against the Machine]] released a song ''[[No Shelter]]'' in its 1999 album ''[[The Battle of Los Angeles (album)|The Battle of Los Angeles]]''.

==American Business and Brands==
Of the top ten global brands seven are based in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.finfacts.com/brands.htm | title=The Global Brands Scorecard 2006 | work=[[BusinessWeek]] | date=[[2006-08-02]] | accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> ''[[Coca Cola]]'', which holds the top spot, is often viewed as a symbol of Americanization. Coca Cola has vending machines in over 200 countries worldwide.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/ko.html | title=The Coca-Cola Company | publisher=[[NYSE Euronext]] | accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> Of the 25 biggest companies, thirteen are based in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/18/06f2000_The-Forbes-2000_Counrty_14.html | title=The Forbes 2000 | publisher=[[Forbes]] | date=[[2006-03-30]] | accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> Many of these companies can be viewed as selling Americanized products. Many of the world's biggest computer companies are also American, such as [[Microsoft]], [[Apple Inc.]], [[Dell]], [[IBM]] and [[Google]]. Much of the software used world wide is created by American based companies. The two largest Personal Computer companies, Dell and Hewlett Packard, which maintain over 30% of the market are American based.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=500384 | title=Gartner Says Hewlett-Packard Takes Clear Lead in Fourth Quarter Worldwide PC Shipments and Creates a Virtual Tie with Dell for 2006 Year-End Results | publisher=[[Gartner]] | date=[[2007-01-17]] | accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref>

==Fast Food==
Fast food along with Coca Cola is also often viewed as being a symbol of American dominance and influence. Companies such as ''[[McDonalds]]'', ''[[Burger King]]'', ''[[KFC]]'', ''[[Dominos Pizza]]'', among others have numerous outlets around the world. The success of these American companies have led to the spread of localised fast food restaurants.

==Trivia==
{{Trivia|date=September 2007}}In [[Sweden]], there is a humorous expression stating that it is the most Americanized country in the world, and that the USA is number two.<ref>{{cite news | first=Göran | last=Jonsson | title=Presidentens polare fick det omöjliga uppdraget | url=http://di.se/Index/Nyheter/2006/11/20/210733.htm | publisher=[[Dagens Industri]] | date=[[2006-11-20]] | accessdate=2007-01-21 | language=[[Swedish language|Swedish]]}}</ref>

[[Arthur Koestler]] described Americanization as "[[cocacolonization]]" in his book ''[[The Lotus and the Robot]]'', referring to [[Coca-Cola]], a symbol of American culture.

==See also==
{{commonscat}}
*[[Cocacolonization]]
*[[Westernization]]

===Expansion of American culture===
*[[American culture]]
*[[Anti-Americanism]]
*[[Cultural imperialism]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*DeBres, Karen; 2005; A Cultural Geography of [[McDonald's]] [[United Kingdom|UK]]; [[Journal of Cultural Geography]]

{{Cultural assimilation}}

[[Category:Cultural assimilation]]
[[Category:American culture]]
[[Category:Types of words]]
[[Category:Word coinage]]
[[Category:Transliteration]]
[[Category:Cultural geography]]
[[Category:Western culture]]

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[[pt:Americanização]]
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[[vi:Mỹ hoá]]