Review article

Identities and Globalisation: Myths and Reality

Sabina Mihelj ; Institutum Studiorum Humanitatis, Ljubljana

Abstract

Conceptualizing globalisation as a kind of mythology, the phenomena can be seen as a two-fold process, which at the same time challenges and reinforces the local. The clash between the two processes is not to be equated with the conflict between tradition and modernity, nor should globalization be regarded as a phenomena limited to 20th century. Numerous examples of cultural exchange could be listed to prove that even throughout the human history, humanity was not a collection of well defined and separated collectives that would behave as cultural monads. Such an understanding of globalisation also supports a specific understanding of identity, stressing rather identification (as a process) then identity (as an unchangeable reality). But if globalisation is a century-long process, and if therefore different cultures and other types of identities have been in contact long ago, and if one should rather think in terms of identifications and not identities, why is it only now that these issues have become so burning? A possible explanation links the overwhelming presence of different discussions about identity and globalisation to mental, economic and political structures of the contemporary supermarket culture, which is characterized by an overwhelming presence of differences while at the same time suppressing articulated conflicts.

Keywords

globalization; identity; myth

Hrčak ID:

154065

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/154065

Publication date:

31.12.2001.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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