To What Extent Globalization Is New

With reference to specific examples, critically consider the argument that globalization has in fact led to a strengthening - not a diminishing - of national identities.

Introduction

Globalizations, as the product of human civilization have been bringing different nations closely together through economic, political and cultural exchanges around the world than they have ever been before. It is not a new phenomena but a continued development for centuries that has led to considerable confusion controversy. According to said (1993:xxi) in the 19th century, the global power have been regard as a process in which western country (developed country) dominate another country in every aspect of social life ("westernization"). For example, English have become the first language in south Africa, Developed country always propagates their culture as having superiority or more correct than national values of developed country .as a result , national culture have been changed by the developed country only for the purpose of imperialism(ibid). Thus, many people think that the world order is still a form of imperialism in which the complex hegemony is only going to weaken the national identity in a nation state. However, people feel ambivalence towards globalization and its effect on our life. Many argue that globalization in fact have enhanced the national identity. Then, the fact that China get increasing political and cultural impact in the global stage might indicate this is true. The advancement of science and technology has change the face of the earth in the 20th century and the 21st century, people live in a global village where unprecedented economic interdependence among nations occur (Youngs 2008:2-10; Scholte 2003), This article will critical consider the argument in its entirety and the impact of globalization on national identity will be analyzed in three different stages in history. Perhaps by examining the issues, something valuable might be produced for the use in the development of the world system in the future.

Early stage of globalization

Globalization as a phenomenon is not new to the world. To give the definition of globalization is more difficult than to give an illustration of its impact on society. Because it is a concept refer to a dynamic trend that pervade and change the important aspects of human life on the world throughout centuries. Generally , in which media of developed countries such as USA dominated developing countries. cultural imperialism thesis is a popular concept to illustrate a cultural way be used by many powerful countries in order to support the political and economic purpose of imperialism that were attained through military force and occupation in the 16th century (ibid). As a consequence, received countries as well as their cultures, values, and identities, would be weakened or destroyed during the process. That is also the reason why some people think globalization can destroy national identity.

Loss of national identity?

Admittedly, the advent of globalization may gradually erode the national identity of a nation state. National identity is described as the set of meaning that has been developed by one human group that set one group culture from another and protect their unique historical possessions such as traditional culture and territory (Dieckhoff &Gutierrez 2001:9). Eczema (2010:11-12) use that Africa as an example of a victim of the old world order. Africa's history has been interacting with the other part of the world, particular Europe and America. As a result, great changes have taken place in national culture of South Africa. For instance, even if after colonial era, most Africa parents with mother tongues communicate with their children in English at home. English language became more value than qualification in the Indigenous language because of the influence of the imperial countries exerted over Africa .The developed country imposing their culture through a particular language in order to dominate a nation state, it is the essence of the globalization in the early stage. In the 21st century, English been used as a international language throughout the world, what is more, it even as the official language in Africa, replace the native language. On the other hand, many developed country still granting the highest prestige value to education institution in western culture. Ultimately, traditional culture which is very useful in solving the modern problem in medicine, education becomes highly undeveloped. It has been noted that national identity is bound up with language, traditional culture and the nation's history, etc. Therefore, "a lost language is a lost culture, a lost culture is invaluable national identity lost." (ibid)

However, I would argues that we can not imagine the development of a country can achieve success without participate in globalization. In fact, active participation in globalization does not mean developing countries have to loss their national identity. For example, many nations such as Brazil, Indian and French share the same experience of having been involved in the imperialism period in the history. However, we must point out that those governments have choices to retain the traditional culture and language, faith and customs they came with during the process of globalization. Their growing economic statuses now prove that globalization also can help develop national identity of a nation state.

The stage of Americanization

After the end of cold war, American became the dominating core powers in the world system in the 20th century (Nye Jr 2000: 115).The advancement of science and technology has change the face of the earth ,Transportation and communications improvements are linking nearly most of the world's nations into a global village. As a result, media globalization as a buzz word in the contemporary society. Then, what is media globalization? For Norris Ingle hart (1997: 212) Media globalization is defined as a process in which international media corporations control and dominate the information production and communication, and gradually created a whole new culture system in the world. Global media play the important role in cultural hegemony because they can transmit and disseminate Western values and culture in all forms of media, such as movie, TV, advertising and internet. To some extent, political and economic aspects are not the central issues of imperialism in the process of globalization, but rather its cultural dimension.

Is national identity under threat?

Media globalization and culture imperialism are interconnected with each other. To some extent, the effect of media globalization is cultural