EDUCARE - University of South Africa

The globalisation debate and implications for higher education 19
global power systems. Moreover, states cannot supply goods and
services to their own citizens without international cooperation. This,
according to the globalist position, is strong evidence of a reconfiguration
of political power (Held & Mc Grew 2000:11±14).
Adherents of a sceptical stance towards globalisation refer instead to
the powerful and omniscient position assumed by the nation-state
during the late twentieth century. According to them, at the onset of
the new millennium the modern national state system has reached a
climax and is supported by international organisations like the UN.
The modern national state characterised by a democratic-representation
democracy has become the dominant political form and is still
recognised as the basic unit of world order. Moreover, even the OECD
states rigorously exercise their sovereignty ± the entitlement to rule ±
and their autonomy ± their capacity to choose appropriate forms of
political, economic and social development. Against this background,
the sceptics contest any alleged weakening of the nation state
(Baumann 1998:73).
2.4 Globalisation, communication and cultural forms
The consolidation of the modern nation state which evolved during the
past centuries is linked to governments' endeavours to create a
national identity that legitimises state power and consolidates policy
(Popkewitz 2000:9). Among others, this was effected by the creation of
a mass education system, an effective communication system able to
disperse common ideas necessary for the development of a common
culture and the creation of an economy which allowed mobility within
a bounded system (Held & McGrew 2000:17).
In the view of the sceptics, the aspiration for national identity and
nationalism which spread from Western Europe around the world in
the last century is so powerful that it is not likely to be eroded by
transnational forces and the development of a global mass culture.
New forms of information technology only reinforce forms of national
life and intensify their impact. New flows of information may narrow
distance, but bolster difference and the awareness of ``the other''. Thus,
local and national culture remains robust. As can be expected, the