Globalization: Is It A Necessity?

After reading a wonderful piece from Claire and Dan, It makes me wondering, does the whole world country need globalization? Case study, my own country, Indonesia. Most of you probably know the 3 main jargon usually used by Indonesian state-crafters when they promoting the country; the biggest Muslim population in the world, the third largest democratic country after India and United States, the fourth largest population after China, India, and United States. Most people will see it as an emerging market. But for me personally (don’t get me wrong, I love my country), I see the urgent need to set a strong and right footing for Indonesia as a whole package before joining the Globalization ‘movement’. The same thought that makes me think that Globalization is needed only to a certain extend.

Not everyone ready and I believe not every country ready for globalization. Most of people believe that globalization is inevitable, like it or not, you have to be in it. But each country has its own choices, look at North Korea--well, that’s the most extreme example. I see it this way, when you decide to become globalized, you have to well understand and well measure the pros and cons. When you at the state of developed country, perhaps you’ll see more lists on the pros’ side. But again in my opinion, you’ll find differently if you’re at the state of developing (third world) country. The third world country need to gear up and properly equipped themselves before they march onto the jungle of globalization. Here’s the analogy; realistically, you’ll not throw yourself into a battle if you haven’t measured your enemy’s and prepare yourself for the battle. That’s the same logic I use.

Referring back to Indonesia, only certain cities in Indonesia are ready for globalization. These cities are the one with better infrastructures, human resources and better management--not necessarily better natural resources. They are the one who can ‘fight’ equally in the ‘globalization battle’. If you take a look at the areas which are not ready yet, lets just call it as periphery, these areas will suffer the most. They’re forced to accept globalization without any ‘safety net’. They don’t have the sufficient infrastructures and human resources. This condition will create a gap and this will followed by another conflict such as, social unrest, mass migration, poverty, increasing criminal rate, etc. Media as one of the globalization pillar will only serve for mid to high level society. The character of the program in the media, IMHO will definitely not suitable for the lower level society which mostly inhabit these areas. That will create another problem. One of the most heartbreaking scenery I’ve ever encounter was when I was in Yogyakarta’s landfills back in 2003. The poor people surround the area make a living by becoming scavenger. The most common scenery at that time was, most of the people’s house there--which’re built from used boxes and anything they can find--have at least 21 inch television set and a vcd player. It was reliving at first but not after you heard that they prefer to have an entertainment set instead of paying their children for school. Don’t you feel irritated by that? It was again another downside of globalization.

So, to wrap up, I believe that globalization is inevitable to some extend. And it’s the responsibility of each government to measure how far globalization can be accepted on their own country. But if you ask me, when you don’t have the strong root and footing, I believe it’s better to think twice to be part of globalization.

-Lodya