19.2.2 The globalised world The relationship between globalisation and national identity is fascinating. If we go back in time before the era of globalisation, it is far easier to isolate unique national identities. Individual countries had distinct national cuisine, music, fashion and other cultural characteristics. Global travel and international trade have blurred the lines between these cultural distinctions. The greater movement of people and ideas has increased the transmission of cultural characteristics between countries. Although many distinctions still exist, they are far less obvious than they were 100 years ago.
FIGURE2 (a) Commonwealth Government Line, T.S.S. Jervis Bay passenger ship bringing people to Australia circa 1900 (b) ‘Cricket on the Voyage’, from a bound album of postcards published by Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. circa 1915.
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SkillBuilder discussion Investigating contemporary Civics and Citizenship issues 1. Study FIGURE2 . Who would be the likely passengers travelling between England and Australia? 2. Discuss likely facilities and conditions on passenger ships around the 1900s.
Consider the following: • In the early 1900s, it would have taken you between 30 and 40 days to travel from Melbourne toLondon. • In 1972, it would have taken you over 48 hours to fly between the two cities, including several stopovers. • Now, you can fly the route directly in only 22.5 hours. This reduction in time is evidence of the technological developments that have changed the world so dramatically. Rapid improvements in transport and information communication technology have combined to effectively make the world a smaller place. It has never been easier for people to move around the world and it has never been easier for people to communicate with one another. These improvements have resulted in increased global connectedness, trade and cultural exchange — a process known as globalisation . Examples of globalisation are all around you. Your phone, your clothes, the ideas you hold and even some of the friends that you have are all outcomes of an increasingly globalised world. Globalisation has many positive and negative aspects. While it is easier for us to travel, to trade and to share ideas, globalisation comes at a huge environmental cost, especially as most of the world still relies on fossil fuels for energy. Globalisation can have, and is having, a significant impact on cultural identity.
TOPIC19 Citizenship, diversity and identity 565
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