The human societies have always conformed to an identity one way or another. Be it in the form of a religious identity, one with a country or state or even to just cliques, the individual within a society always identifies himself through the rules or norms of that society, the values and the beliefs. These three aspects will greatly shape him through the continuous and intensive interaction of socialization. What has to wonder then, what prompts this individual or the social actor to wanting an identity to conform to?
Often, identity is with a purpose. It has been carefully constructed by those in power in order to serve to their needs. For example, time and time again, Singapore has carefully crafted out historical facts that might be conveniently serving the purpose of the government. It has been repeated countless times saying that Singapore has no natural resources. In fact, its only resources come from its people. Singaporeans identify to this by setting goals for themselves first in their education. Through it, they have to excel in the education system else they might just be another worthless part in this great big machine affectionately known as Singapore Inc.
Globalization may have perpetuated identity in aspects of making almost everything similar. Mcdonalizationis a widespread phenomenon that has been in existence ever since globalization became a widely accepted fact(but this does not mean that it is widely appreciated). It is evident that there’s a McDonald’s restaurant in almost every country whose citizens have some level of proficiency in the English language. It not only serve American fast food(in fact, it coined the term fast food which people readily identify with nowadays), it also served as a hangout joint for people of all ages. Thus, it simultaneously became a new stage for socialization to take place.
Why do people readily conform to a certain kind of identity? Because identity provides these actors with clear rules, values and beliefs any deviances from it might bring serious repurcussions to the deviants. This implication means that there is some form of stability for each and every actor if they were to identify themselves with that certain identity.
Scott Sernau readily mentions that fundamentalism is gaining popularity with the masses. Though “old” and “backward” in thinking, it’s very strict basic means of doing things means that it leaves any deviance from it with little room to maneuver. Even though analysts earlier on confidently mentioned that such a movement would not garner much attention much less support, the exact opposite is currently happening. Terrorism is one of the byproducts of Islamic fundamentalism as these extremist now feel that it is actually time to rid the world of infidels.
Though basic in nature, religous fundamentalism is quite the hypocrite. It is getting political action as religion is now being used in our daily political lives. Sucide bombers who subscribe to this fundamentalism are actually being used by the high authorities to achieve purposes that would really infact benefit those in power(especially so since the bomber would be blown to pieces anyway). He wouldnt know that he is being used in the first place though because he feels secure with some sort of stability that identity has brought him.
Identity is ever changing in this global society. People no longer want to subscribe to an identity that is imposed onto them. But one thing for sure is that should that identity bring about a great degree of stability, people will ignore all else and subscribe to that identity just as long as it promises them stability.
