Reflections on the Human Condition - Api-fellowships.org

INTRODUCTION
Abdul Rahman Embong
AGENDA OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND IMPROVING THE HUMAN CONDITION
Globalization—a complex and multifaceted
phenomenon—has deep and far-reaching impacts
upon societies and nations throughout the world,
particularly the developing world. It is important that
we recognize the historicity of globalization, and that
what we are witnessing today is in many ways not
unprecedented in world history, including that of East
and Southeast Asia. (Abdul Rahman, 2004) While
historical globalization prior to the coming of
colonialism did not necessarily lead to subjugation and
conquest, contemporary globalization—driven by the
ideology of neoliberalism and powered by imperatives
of the free market—has created a highly uneven playing
field. The current structures of globalization not only
have accentuated inequalities between and within
nations, but have also created winners and captors
consisting of the big and powerful nations and groups
such as transnational corporations (TNCs), while
small and weak nations as well as the poor and the
vulnerable groups become losers and captives.
The unsettling impacts of globalization upon states and
societies impress upon us the need to seriously reflect
upon the human condition and to pursue alternatives
in the search for social justice. While economic
prosperity together with technological and medical
advances have undoubtedly brought about tremendous
improvements in living standards and in life expectancy
at birth, the other side of the coin is that prosperity and
modernity have brought about new types of diseases
and health problems arising from changing lifestyles.
There is also the problem of differential access to
modern infrastructure, technology, and health facilities
as well as differential opportunities among different
communities, classes and sections of the population.
As urbanization and urban growth proceed apace with
cities and towns almost bursting at their seams, there is
also the problem of urban housing, sanitation and public
health faced by the poor and low-income groups. At
the same time, the problem of social and regional
disparity continues to plague the society. Internal as
well as cross-border migration has been taking place
unabated, creating an underclass of the urban poor.
For minorities including the indigenous peoples who
live close to nature, their rights including their claims
over the natural environment and resources, have oftentimes
been trampled upon. Hence, the agenda of social justice
and advancement for various social groups, classes and
communities and of improving the human condition
generally remains as pertinent as ever.
CHANGE, CONFLICT AND TENSION
As implied above, the forces of globalization induce or
precipitate change. The question is not whether change
is welcome or not—as change is inevitable—but what
that change entails. Change is often unsettling; it brings
about conflict and tension, not only between different
socio-cultural groups but also between generations.
Thus, the forms and directions of change, the kinds
of conflict and tension that are generated by change,
and how such conflict and tension can be mediated
and moderated are of importance for us to examine
so that change will eventually bring benefit to the life
of peoples, communities and individuals. Change
hopefully will pave the way for the empowerment of
communities and make them able to engage more
successfully and effectively with the forces of globalization
and modernity.
A key issue arising from engagement with globalization,
change and modernity is that of identity. Globalization
and its tendencies of homogenization, particularly in
the domain of culture, tend to have subversive impacts
upon the long established identities of nations,
communities, groups and individuals. Just as there is
resistance to globalization in the domain of economics,
trade and finance, there is also resistance in the domain
of culture, particularly with respect to identity. The
greater the tendency towards homogenization, the more
it promotes the tendency towards localization through
such means as the revitalization, reaffirmation and even
invention of identities.
Identities—the quality that differentiates one entity from
another—are the concern of nations, communities,
groups and individuals. Nations, especially nation-states,
have always attempted to define and redefine their own
identity, to suit the roles they play nationally and
internationally during different historical periods. At
the same time, internally, they attempt to impose their
definition of identity upon members of the society.
Ref lections on the Human Condition: Change, Conflict and Modernity
The Work of the 2004/2005 API Fellows
21
xxi