How can people be free? These were the words of the originator of the conflict theory, Karl Marx who based an entire theory on this question, where he describes the theory where he believed that people, by nature, are free, creative beings who have the potential to transform the world. But he observed that the modern, technologically developed world is apparently beyond our control. Technological change is a major driver of social change and the dominant source of economic growth. Due to the rapid technological advances, the world is facing, Vietnam is unable to keep up but the younger generation is wanting a more westernized way of life and the newer technologies to be brought in so they can stay up with the times, this is contradictory to the older generation within Vietnam that has maintained their economic and social group where they have been known significantly for their sole focus on filial piety (respect towards elders and especially towards older family members) and longevity. In contrast to Vietnam, to a first-world country like Australia where we are a technologically advanced nation and following the core values of Australia are built on camaraderie, friendship and freedom. The development of technology has flourished in recent years and has played a major role in globalization throughout the world. The key benefit of globalization is that it stimulates the spread of knowledge and technology, which helps spread growth potential across countries.
Vietnam is a traditional country filled with so much history alike us Australians. The only evident difference between us is only that we as different nations have different histories. Vietnam’s history is filled with oppression and nationalistic tendencies that have created conflict against oppressors due to Vietnam wanting social change for their country. Call for social change, like how the younger generation is challenging the older generation for newer technologies and a more westernized way of life, usually is done to destroy an old tradition to usually replace with a better replacement which may not always be the case. An example of the only comprehensive set of socio-economic and political reforms made in Vietnam in their past is the introduction of Doi Moi, prior to the introduction of Doi Moi, Vietnam faced an economic crisis. The introduction of the Doi Moi policy has helped Vietnam create a socialist-orientated market economy by pursuing openness in economic relations in order to provide the necessary conditions to achieve modernization. Additionally, the introduction of the policy was meant to create a positive impact, there were some negative impacts that affected individuals in Vietnam. One impact of the introduction of the policy was the increasing number of landless people. Due to Vietnam being the second largest coffee exporter, many entrepreneurs intruded on land cultivated by ethnic minorities in the 1990s which influenced the significant growth of coffee acreage which limits the people who are able to have sufficient living. Following the conflict theory, we as people by nature are free, creative beings who have the potential to transform the world. In this case, being Vietnam and being able to triumph over adversity as a nation.
Globalization is the process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influences or start operating on an international scale. Basically, the integration of all the countries coming together as one big global economy to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of international trade. As mentioned before, the key benefit of globalization is that it stimulates the spread of knowledge and technology, which helps spread growth potential across countries. As any other country would, Vietnam benefits greatly from globalization as it is known from the beginning as a traditional country. The Vietnamese can enjoy goods and services with high quality and competitive prices as many foreign companies join the market. As Vietnamese people are not only receiving off the benefits of globalization but the giving of Vietnamese culture to the rest of the wide world benefits all our individual countries as well, as we get to get to explore the culture of any means. One of the only negative threats of globalization to Vietnam is the dominance of foreign culture in their country. As their country is well known for their strong traditional values and heritage, globalization may cause them to lose their culture by causing them to neglect their native language, dress codes and attempt to copy mass-market fashion. Most countries’ native languages around the world are threatened by other languages, especially English. Globalization is not the only factor that’s threatening Vietnamese culture but also westernization which is the influence any western cultural tradition had while occupying a diverse nation other than Western. The biggest Western influences, Vietnam has, are from the Portuguese and the French. At first, the Portuguese were the first to arrive only later to be joined by the French. While the French occupied Vietnam, their main and only goal was to create profit. The influence they left behind on Vietnam was to create French elements in the Vietnamese culture as the French heavily oppressed the Vietnamese during the time. The growth of modernity and westernization, the younger generation of Vietnam are slowly transforming to fit into an everyday lifestyle which has created a divide between generations. With the technological advances, Vietnam are enduring, the younger generation has access to ongoing trends in a variety of areas whether it’s fashion trends or music. This influences their lifestyle from their parents or elders as the globalization and westernization have let the younger generation be liberated from older traditions and is seen as a mark of independence.
Australia is known for being a technologically advanced nation as we adopt new technologies at a faster rate than most other countries in the world. It is a far from perfect country but as a country, we’ve done well in a world filled with turmoil. As Australians, we enhance individual liberty and by gaining confidence as our nation has been given the freedom to do so. Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world where 27% of the population were born outside its borders. Our national identity values are reflected through our attitudes towards one another. Australia as a country does not regard national identity by reference to a common race, ethnicity, religion or cultural background like Vietnam does. Our national identity is defined by a common commitment to Australian civic values of democracy, the rule of law, respect for the rights of individual men and women, a healthy skepticism for authority and a deep intuitive sense of a fair go. Rather than having one cultural identity, our approach represents cultural diversity rather than cultural assimilation. The diversity of people in Australia has enriched us as a country which has helped us to face the country that we’ve become today. The global economy has never been as huge and technologies have never given individuals a voice before until this day and age. The gradual technological development in Australia has sustained our security, cultural, democratic, social and economic systems in many ways. Unlike Vietnam, we rely on technology on a day-to-day basis where Vietnam prefer a more traditional way of life than we do. Technological change in Australia has allowed us to invent and innovate from existing technologies, including the skills required to create and use them. Luckily as a nation, the younger generation is heavily susceptible by technology and can easily adapt and learn more from technology as it’s an important part of the younger generation of Australia’s culture. Technology has additionally increased an individual’s power to communicate. The only threat to using newer technologies is the stubborn resistance to the inherent unpredictable technology. Technology changes the way we act, think, learn and socialize.
In conclusion, people are free by having the potential within themselves to transform the world around them which creates social change within society. Relating to the conflict theory, the growth of modernity and westernization, the younger generation of Vietnam are slowly transforming to fit into an everyday lifestyle which has created a divide between generations on their initial traditional values. Globalization brings the spread of knowledge and technology, which helps spread growth potential across countries like Vietnam and Australia. In Australia, the younger generation is heavily susceptible by technology and can easily adapt and learn more from technology as it’s an important part of the younger generation of Australia’s culture.