Whether globalization is a myth or reality

It is definitely a reality. the Era of Globalization encapsulates the political, economic and cultural atmosphere of today. In considering the reality of global, we should remember that it is complex, not simple. Globalization is associated with a MNC / transnational. People often assume that transnationals are only multinational businesses, such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, IBM, Nokia, or Sony. Transnationals may be based within a particular country and carry strong cultural associations from that home country. Coca-Cola, for example, has long been regarded as American as apple pie. The historic brand essence of Mercedes or Peugeot was quintessentially German or French. But increasingly, the country of origin is becoming less central to the DNA of these organizations. They think and act internationally; they have intellectual property and operations around the world; and their culture becomes global, not national or local.

The first step in understanding the reality of the globalization is that some of the key players now are no longer capable of being understood within the confines of traditional national boundaries. It’s not just that they act internationally; they act supranationally. Their psychology, their thinking and even their cultures are becoming truly global.

It is the idea that globalization means not just international connectedness, but also international homogenization. This notion holds that globalization inevitably moves toward uniformity in consumer behaviors, tastes, cultures and personalities. According to this view, whether we live in Malaysia or New York, Belgium or Bolivia, we all will eventually act in the same way, consume the same products, and have the same cultural reference points. Local differences will diminish over time as an inevitable result of globalization.

In my opinion, one of the interesting titles on globalization is taken from the Harian Analisa, is "Indonesia Victims of Severe Globalization". The whole activity of people in this world have fallen in the grip of power Multi National Corporations (MNC) and MNC number is increasing every year. We as citizens of Indonesia, from the start we got up early to go to bed, we use multi-national corporation product. When we woke in the morning to use toothpaste, soap and other toiletries are production "Unilever", then we drink use product output "Nestle" or "Cocacola" and branded clothing from Taiwan, and also shopped at "Carrefour" which came from England, then we use the motor vehicle manufacturing giant companies from Japan.

Globalization is only be an illusion of the developed countries for the welfare of society in the world, this is because globalization is only a main door into the system that is open free market economy without borders and barriers and the lack of protection for the domestic industry. Multi National Corporations (MNCs) play a huge role in spreading the values ​​of capitalism, where it has three basic principles, namely exploitation, accumulation and expansion. We depend on the presence of MNCs. They are forced to provide cheap labor. So that we can see the phenomenon that occurs today is more like a new form of imperialism.

The existence of multi-national cooperation marked the beginning of international trade, where the main actor is no longer the nation-state, but has shifted to large companies with a very minimal role of the state. MNC itself can be defined as a company based on one particular area of ​​the country with the support of the country is still his base.

Most MNC is owned by developed countries stationed in developing countries. Business conducted by MNC derived from the idea of ​​achieving the maximum benefit that will make them expand their markets to developing countries, in developing countries where the cost of production, labor, taxes and insurance they have to pay less when compared to their home countries standing, so they look for new markets is strategically more favorable with smaller cost. In addition, other legal rules have the force and bonds tend to be weak in developing countries compared to their home countries stand. MNC also seeks to impose these costs to the state, so in actual MNC is often regarded as actors selfish and profit above all else.

The policy of the MNC, which is considered beneficial is employee salaries are generally greater than the national average salary, and job creation tends to be faster when compared with domestic companies similar. MNC also gives a major role in the spread of science and technology, production, and capital states that they made the market.

MNC located in developing countries are now beginning to take over the state's role in regulating and welfare of the public, mostly to workers, but the country itself is not trying to eliminate the role of MNCs in the country regulate indirectly, because of the presence of MNCs bring prosperity to developing countries such besides MNC-MNC are often doing lobbying on local governments to run their business easily.

Indonesia is only put the country as consumers remain for global products. State which is only in accordance with every demand of developed country is a country that lost the identity of nationality, because the government can no longer provide the protection of domestic products. Low wages, many natural resources, and the size of the population of Indonesia became fixed dish annually given by the government to become food for developed countries, both bilaterally and at every meeting of the international forum.

Exploitation of "all-out" by developed countries foster the birth of thousands of companies in the fields of investment, finance, trade and infrastructure. As a result, the people of Indonesia, who are in the circle of the company, just struggling with poverty, unemployment, hunger, eviction, and others. Moreover, Indonesia has a very strategic position in the globalization process so that we become the chain of global trade centered on the acquisition of natural resources. However, the control is no longer in the hands of the state and globalization makes this country like a "cash cow" for the industrial countries.

To overcome the problems due to the presence of MNCs as part of globalization, the government needs to empower the community, both economically, politically, socially and culturally. Empowerment is directed to various aspects of life and specifically given to the weakest layer and left, so that it can eventually be a part of that would help to strengthen the nation and the state.

1.  Political empowerment, aimed to raise awareness of critical community, so they are more responsive to issues or measures taken by the government. With political skills possessed people expected to have strong bargaining position against the owners of capital and the government. While related to the market, people have access to a more open and competitive.
2.  Economic empowerment, through the protection and guidance to small and medium enterprises and cooperatives. Some social power base in building domestic economic production, namely the protection of the life space, the provision of knowledge and skills, approach information, utilization of social organization and social networks, and use of financial resources.
3. Social empowerment, providing protection against marginalized communities due to free trade. The government should also empower more social capital. Social capital includes: values​​, norms, attitudes and beliefs and networks that exist in society.
4.  Cultural empowerment, the protection and preservation of local culture through the slogan "love domestic products". Local culture should be regarded as development capital and not as something that is contrary to development.

    Besides that, the roles of government against the MNC are:

1. .  The government had launched a national independence, by improving the quality and quantity of domestic products. With national independence and pride to wear domestic products, then gradually market the western capitalist firm will exit by itself.
2. .     The government should teach culture "love domestic products" to the people.
3. .  The government should provide the influence and encouragement to the people to live independently and to dominate the economy and does not depend on the existence of giant capitalist corporations.
4. .   Government must guarantee and provide opportunities for their domestic market to grow and compete with other players without the dominance of domestic firms capitalist west.
5. .       The government should place restrictions MNC power, because MNC’s power is generally going to be bad in the competition sector. The worst case, which occurred in the MNC’s competition is anti-competitor that makes MNC trying to get rid of his rivals and become a monopolist.