Globalization is right at our doorstep, but nobody seems to know whether globalization is a friend or a foe. But the reality remains that globalization is inescapable and drawing closer and closer. The fundamental question is whether Indonesia and its people are ready.
Globalization has its effect on the flow of data, information, images and meanings. This phenomenon has long been around in Indonesia with imported television shows, Indonesian version of foreign media such as Playboy, Rolling Stones etc and of course the internet. All of these contribute to the already changing patterns of consumption and traditional values. The world has shrunk in such a way that it becomes almost homogenous. And the real threat of this emergence of an increasingly Western-dominated international culture is the erosion of national identity.
One example of the changing in consumption patterns and traditional values in Indonesia is the rapid spread of Western-style supermarkets and fast food chain such as McDonalds and Burger King which makes the middle class Indonesian to develop a taste for bread and slowly contributes to the changing eating habits. As a country with absolutely no production of wheat, Indonesia has become dependent to wheat exporting countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia.
Our formal business attire –suit and tie are both based and dictated by western ideals. Without any consideration of the tropical climate which Indonesia is in, the Indonesian people like much of the world accepted it blindly. A cultural shift also occurs in our aesthetic values. Youths of today are more exposed to western art forms and music than that of their own cultural heritage and legacy. This leaves our legacy to be salvaged and rescued by more appreciative foreign societies rather than by our very own future generation.
In an article titled “Localizing” on January 13th 2004, the Korea Herald describes Globalization as “A declaration of war upon other cultures.” The article also explains that cultural, social and religious disruptions are inseparable spectral companions of economic globalization in an attempt to colonize the whole planet in their own image. Indeed, globalization has generated anxieties about poverty, exploitation and over-dependence on outside institutions or systems. It is seen by some as the Trojan horse for neo-colonial ambitions. There are also deep concerns among Indonesian about the vulnerability to external developments and exposure to sudden political and economic dislocation like the ones that happen in the Asian financial crisis where we see a rapid pull-out of capital.
However, the rise of severe transnational problems that requires multilateral cooperation in order to resolve them, force countries of the world to work together. Problems such as the scarceness of un-renewable energy and environmental concerns such as the global climate change compel the international audience to unite and combat them by ways of carbon exchange programs and the search for a better source of a cleaner and renewable energy. Transnational security is another issue the world needs to address with the increasing threat of organized crimes, drug trafficking and global terrorism network. These transnational problems make globalization a necessity beyond economical motivations.
There can be no question that globalization offers huge opportunities for internationally competitive economies. No economy can stand or prosper alone without a mutual partnership and cooperation with other countries. At the same time it also brings along with it a waking challenge for political and economic management. Globalization builds a growing pressure on states to conform to international standard of authority, particularly in the areas of transparency and accountability. Furthermore it carries increasing competitive pressures in markets and makes globally-based trade rules and disciplines of international best practice and good corporate governance.
At the other end of the spectrum, in some cases what has seemed to happen is not westernization as the impact of globalization but more towards cosmopolitanism, where the world has truly become a melting pot. As East Asian economies continue to grow, over the next 15 years we might see a dramatic shift in the centre of gravity of the world economic production from the west to Asia. The emergence of these new economic giants: China and India has left the world at awe. Both countries have become the new economic powerhouse that rivals those of the west. At the same time Japanese Toyota has replaced American General Motors as the world’s leading car manufacturer. On a smaller scale, the cultural exchange continues to flow not only from west to east but the other way around. It is becoming easier for us to find a sushi restaurant in London or a yoga class in Berlin.
The challenge for Indonesia is to do the same and not be swept aside in the wake of globalization. This is for sure a daunting task for Indonesia, especially with social unrest, political, security and economic instabilities that are still the concerns of many in the international arena. The problem might well be as a result of over-dependence to foreign investment. However, I must underline that the problem might also roots deeper and lies in our un-appreciation of traditional culture, customs and beliefs; and the absence of our national pride. To make matters worse, a stringent leadership with a clear vision of where we are going as a nation is virtually nonexistent.
In a very short summary, I would like to emphasize that globalization is a double edged sword, which can be seen as either an opportunity or a threat for us as a nation. As a preparation we are required to make some changes. A false dichotomy is that the most important changes should be done through deregulation or economic and political reforms. In my opinion what is even more essential is the change in our mindsets, to embrace globalization but stay firmly rooted to our cultural heritage, identity and national pride.
Link:
http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/weblog/
http://dotfuturemanifesto.blogspot.com/2008/05/deconstructing-globalization.html
http://www.redstate.com/stories/elections/2008/globalization_is_our_friend_lets_treat_it_like_one
http://central.blogactiv.eu/2008/04/28/the-irony-of-globalization/
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