Preserving cultural heritage in handicrafts in an Era of globalization

Abstract eng:
This paper focuses on heritage as it is embodied in the handicrafts, or “arts and crafts” sector of the economy. For many countries around the world, the handicraft sector has served as a means of maintaining and promoting cultural and artistic traditions. However, the forces of globalization are affecting the handicraft sector in several important ways, and these forces can be seen as creating both threats and opportunities for local handicraft producers. In some markets, imports of mass-produced “handicraft substitutes” are driving out local producers, leading to a potential loss of cultural heritage. On the other hand, globalization presents opportunities for some handicraft producers to sell their products to a larger global market. In the first section of this paper, we present data and analyze current global trends in trade in handicrafts and “handicraft-substitutes.” We begin by discussing the methodological issues involved in measuring and defining handicrafts and “handicraft-substitutes.” Our analysis, presented in tables, highlights a group of countries that have experienced significant recent changes in these trade flows. We then discuss the implications of these findings with respect to the preservation of cultural heritage. The second section of the paper concerns the role of policy. We identify actions that governments can take to preserve the cultural heritage embodied in handicrafts and to promote the export of these products. We examine case-studies of countries that have implemented successful policies to preserve cultural heritage in the handicrafts sector. The paper concludes by presenting a set of strategies for policy-makers designed to maximize the positive impacts of globalization on local handicraft industries, while minimizing the loss of cultural heritage that results from competition with imports of “handicraft-substitutes”.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket