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Americanization

"If you ask me to name the proudest distinction of Americans, I would choose- because it contains all the others- the fact that they were the people who created the phrase "to make money." No other language or nation had ever used these words before; men had always thought of wealth as a static quantity- to be seized, begged, inherited, shared, looted or obtained as a favor. Americans were the first to understand that wealth has to be created."
Ayn Rand

People have always been interested in money.   As a little girl I learned
about the gold rushes in California.   I was read stories about hidden treasures on deserted islands.   I even believed stories about gold being at the end of the rainbow.   As a child I learned that it was good to be rich.   As a young adult I still receive this message on a daily basis.   I read in the newspapers and magazines about the newest person to become a millionaire.   I see stories on the news about the poor who cannot afford to give their children a traditional Christmas.   As a college student I know what I feels like to be almost twenty thousand dollars in debt.   I struggle to choose between getting a job and concentrating on my studies.   The allure of money is a powerful thing.   Our culture stresses that in order to be perceived as success you need to have money.   I believe this quest for riches is the real reason behind the globalization and Americanization of the world.  
To globalize is to make worldwide in scope or application (www.webstersmerrian.com).   It makes sense that globalization has occurred throughout history because of migration and trade.   Many of the cultural traits of specific European countries meshed together till they reached the point where their origin could hardly be distinguished.   The same holds true for countries in South America and Asia.   Unless someone is educated in the country's heritage, that person would be unable to tell to specify if something was European or Italian.   Traders were able...