Dear all attendees of CCU class,
After studying the essay entitled American Character, compare the seven American character traits listed in the essay to the related character of your own society. Start by reviewing a character trait of the American and compare it directly to Indonesians’. Support your ideas in each comparison by using appropriate arguments and explanations such as those used in the essay. Look at the following point as an example.
When you finish writing your essay, post it to the reply section below this post (not later than January 31, 2013, at 1 p.m.). Good Luck.
1. Success as a Goal
Americans
Americans place a very high valuation upon success. It does not necessarily mean material rewards, but recognition of some sorts—preferably measurable. If a businessman’s boy turns out to be a musician—instead of a businessman like his father, that’s all right. But the more albums he make, the more successful he is judged to be.
Many factors contributed to this accent on success, of which the Puritan belief in the virtue of work, the equal opportunity every individual has to compete for success; the nonexistence of ranks and classes in the society, and the rich opportunity one can find in the country are the most important.
Since a high regard is felt for success the rewards are high. Money is rarely cherished for itself in America; it rather a symbol and a tool. When a man’s status rises, the demand upon him also increases. He is expected to donate to society voluntary associations.
To be successful, Americans are ready to work hard. They even love work. It is meat and drink to them. In recent years they have learned how to play, but they make work of that too. If it’s skiing, they throw themselves at it with an effort that would kill a horse. If it’s a vacation, they travel five or six hundred miles an hour, pause only long enough to snap pictures, and then discover what it was they went to see when they get home and look at the photographs.
Despite the high technology they have developed, Americans still like to be handy at all things. Both men and women are willing to do house works. College professors go in for making furniture or remodeling an old house in the country. Nearly everyone knows how to use tools, make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures, refinish furniture or paint a wall. Far from being thought a disgrace if he performs these “menial” tasks, a man is thought ridiculous if he does not know how to perform them.
Indonesians
Most Indonesians also highly value success. However, different from Americans, Indonesian patriarch (or feudalistic?) culture tend to discourage equal opportunity for every individual. Indonesians also prefer ‘harmony’ than competition. In addition, many Indonesian still believe that one’s future is determined by a power outside of oneself. No matter how hard someone works, there is no guarantee that he will succeed.
Many Indonesian are probably hard workers. However, the fact that the fertile lands and the rich sea, which enabled Indonesians to easily get foods in the past has imbued the preference for living ‘in a relaxing way’ rather than to work hard. It seems that not all Indonesians love work. It’s quite easy to find people who would like to live luxuriously without working.
2. Materialism
Americans
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Indonesians
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Universitas Kristen Indonesia 
The American Creed
American
The creed at the American carrier American character. If many of the items in this American credo were the product of pioneering, some were an inheritance from the puritans whose ideas their descendants carried west with them. Respect for the individual as a creature of God, made in his own image, was one of these. The idea of government by compact and consent went back to the pilgrims, the authority of reason to the grand and intricate arguments of the seventeenth century theologians. Allegiances to principles rather than persons, and conviction that religious faith was the only firm foundation for the governing of men, were the heartwood of the Puritan idea.
So Americans played out the drama of redemption on a stage whose boards were nailed down by Calvinist morality. If they broke its stern laws, they expected to be punished, and if the crime was not found out, sometimes they punished themselves. The temptations of the flesh they resisted by working harder, and thus work came to have a double value.
Indonesian
Indonesian creed is almost similar to the American creed that is belief in faith and religion. In the above described one example that American creed, act firmly against lawlessness. But in Indonesia is different, in fact there are criminals who reduced his imprisonment, whereas such beheaded in Saudi makes punishment for the corrupt.
That’s because crimes such as corruption, drug abuse, and sexual abuse often occurs in Indonesia. Because no firm, even violate religious teachings that forgiveness to forgive the perpetrators of acts of crime or criminals.
Materialism
American
The acquisition of money is important as the clearest proof of success, though there are other proofs—prominence, public notice, good works, and fame. But the retention of money is not important at all. The men and women who staked everything on America were for the most part poor. Indeed, it may be frowned upon if it keeps the owner from living well, subscribing generously to a long list of charities, and providing for members of the family who may have been less fortunate. So the materialism that strikes a visitor to America is not that of loving and hoarding wealth; it is a love of making and consuming wealth.
Indonesian
In Indonesia is same with America, money is important as the clearest proof of success. However, unlike the United States, Indonesia tends to be greedy. In fact, the representatives who have held or hold office they forget its duty even bear to take people’s money is called corruption. Though already get a paycheck but still lack and greed.
The Ideal of Service
American
Americans, he feels, have two standards of conduct, one for business, the other for human relation. The Christian command, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is frequently invoked. For example, the supermarkets have been moving in the direction of self-service in exchange for lower prices, smaller enterprise have sprung up to supply whom service to those who want it, especially to the many people who now live in rural or suburban areas. Our country district is visited regularly by a grocer, a green grocer, several bakers, a dispenser of frozen foods and three ice cream man, not to mention the occasional salesman of brushes, vacuum cleaners, insurance, magazine or cars, and the absolutely indispensable country institution the rural leather carrier.
The accent on service suggests an attempt to blame the two conflict things forces in the national character—the hardheaded drive for business success and the soft religiously inspired urge us to serve others.
Indonesian
In Indonesia there are also many supermarkets. However, supermarkets are selfish and do not pay attention to the poor. For example, if we see or visit to a village, the same as the price of a product is even more expensive in the city. Postage is expensive and a far as a trader or supermarket as an reason to raise prices more expensive.
A Nation of Conformists?
American
One aspects of American life most visitors agree on is its conformity. Because they had to establish traditions, because they had to absorb millions of people from diverse cultures, Americans tended to insist upon conformity in fundamentals. Americans do not want respect; they want to be liked. Whether in his relation with his children, his barber, his employees, his fellow workers, or the stranger in the next seat on the plane, the American wants to be known as a good guy. It is important to him to be well regarded and one of the reasons why he forms so many clubs and fraternities is so that he may be sure of being surrounded by a comfortable group whose mutual membership pledges them above all things to like each other.
Indonesian
Many people said the people of Indonesia are friendly. I think not. Indonesia friendly to people that they knew and if profitable. For instance, in the Church, when the worshiping and sitting on the same bench did not greet each other or know each other. In fact, when seen they are one faith and one tribe. Also seen clearly good relationships between employers and domestic workers. Not many Indonesian people who think like Americans. Indonesian who likes average respected than liked. Indonesian people are not thinking about the meaning of brotherhood and religious life.
Mobility
American
Advancement often comes more quickly by switching to a competitive company than by staying in the one where they started, and so mobility is rewarded while stability is penalized. Americans believe, as their basic statement of faith asserts, that happiness is something to be pursued, not waited for. They are dedicated to the quest, and even to the vague unrest that goes with it.
Where all is shifting and changing, there is need for some kind of measuring stick. Hence (and also because of our pragmatic bias) the prevalence of numerical standards—the marking systems in school, the dollar valuation of jobs or works of arts, the love of what is highest, biggest, hottest, coldest, fastest.
Indonesian
In Indonesia, mostly advancing left, left school, the company has not advanced. Indonesian people prefer to stay in a small difficulty paying the company did not immediately move to the more advanced.
The Influence of the Frontier
American
The frontier experience, so strong in its impact, so harsh a teacher, brought new traits to the fore. The hard conditions of the daily life made for crudeness in manners. The competition for favorable land (or later for gold), the need to kill in order to stay alive, the absence of law and order made man tough, brutal sometimes, and quick to resort to brute strength. This violence has continued in such aspects of our life as gangsters, race riots, corrupt politics, union racketeering and the violent political attack.
A nation hacked out of wilderness by men constantly on the move, constantly regrouping and forming new personal associations, is bound to alter its concept of friendship. Men must learn to size each other up quickly, to judge by deeds rather than by reputation or family background. A man coming into a new community must have a friendly manner if he wants to make friends, and he needs friends in order to get along.
This quick friendliness, often regarded as insincere by foreigners, remains a spontaneous habit. All relationships, we feel, should have something of love or friendship in them. We do not make a strong distinction, common in some countries, between a few close friends and the rest of mankind. The more friends we have, the more people we call by first name on the street or greet at board meetings, at church or at the movies, the more comfortably immersed we feel in our environment.
Indonesia
The Influence of the frontier in Indonesia either have no impact . In fact, the struggle for Pulau Sipadan and Ligitan in the Makassar Straits, Indonesia and Malaysia. Up to the war of words, making fun of each other, instead of taking the positive side of the issue.
Humor
American
Humor in America belong more unbiased advice or preaching to the audience (children, adults, leaders, subordinates, etc). For example, a child with an innocent sentence can advise him.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, more humor joke toward the negative, demeaning jokes, until physically. In fact, one of the television program that presents the humor event and one of the players got the scorn of the audience who do not like the way how droll.
What is an american?
American
Usually Europeans conclude that Americans are childish. But one cannot accurately call one society mature, another immature. Each has its own logic. The attitude of Americans who are curious, hopeful, critical, like a waste of money, etc. Americans are weird and like to look for problems.
They crowd their highways with cars while complaining about the traffic, flock to movies and TV while grapping about the quality and the commercials, go to church but don’t care much for sermons, and drink too much in the hope of relaxing—only to find themselves stimulated to even bigger dreams.
Indonesia
Indonesian people who’ve grown up but its like a child. Too saving to rarely give. Better natural, open to new things and foreigners, not naive, it is to get a partner and also for the many great achievements.
1. materialism america
Materialism, like capitalism, is a defining factor of the American way of life. As with all things, materialism has its good and bad points. It is a trend that paints the American picture. It gives a perception of wealth and prosperity. However, it is commonly a shallow depiction of reality. The possession of things does not equate to financially stability. Regardless of how it is viewed, it defines us, motivates us, and moves our economy more than any other custom.
indonesia
Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of capital goods and the means of production, with the creation of goods and services for profit. Elements central to capitalism include capital accumulation, competitive markets, and a price system.
There are multiple variants of capitalism, including laissez-faire, welfare capitalism and state capitalism. Capitalism is considered to have been applied in a variety of historical cases, varying in time, geography, politics, and culture. There is general agreement that capitalism became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism.
Economists (including political economists) and historians have taken different perspectives on the analysis of capitalism. Economists usually emphasize the degree to which government does not have control over markets (laissez-faire), as well as the importance of property rights. Most political economists emphasize private property as well, in addition to power relations, wage labor, class, and the uniqueness of capitalism as a historical formation. The extent to which different markets are free, as well as the rules defining private property, is a matter of politics and policy. Many states have what are termed mixed economies, referring to the varying degree of planned and market-driven elements in an economic system.
In the 20th century defenders of the capitalist system often replaced the terms capitalism and capitalist with phrases such as free enterprise and private enterprise in reaction to the negative connotations sometimes associated with capitalism.
2. A nation of conformists
First, is about eating food in the United States and Indonesia. Indonesian people eat the same food every day for lunch and dinner. That is rice. Rice is a main food for Indonesian folk. Even so, they eat it with other foods, like meat and vegetables. On the other hand, American people eat a variety of foods each day. In particular, they eat pizza, sandwiches, pasta or noodles, and sometimes meat for dining.
Another difference is how people prepare the food for lunch and dinner. In the United States, people take a longer time to prepare dinner than lunch. They cook the food approximately one and half-hours before eating. On the other hand, in Indonesia, people take a longer time to prepare a lunch than a dinner. For dinner, they usually warm the food that was cooked at noon instead of making more.
A final difference in eating food between the United States and Indonesia is the taste of the food. In general, Americans prefer a sweet taste or a little bit salty in their food. In contrast, most Indonesian people like a hot and spicy taste in their food. Also, Indonesian would like to eat food that still warms instead of food that is not warm anymore. Therefore they always warm their food before eating. On the other hand, American people admit to eat food that isn’t warm, like sandwiches.
Second, the different of driving a car. In general, the similarity of driving in the U.S and Indonesia is driver has to respect to pedestrians when they meet them on the street, specifically when the pedestrian want to across the street. They have to give opportunity to pedestrian first when the traffic light is red before they continue driving. If they don’t obey this rule, and an accident happens, they will get fine.
On the other hand, there are some different in driving in the U.S. and Indonesia. For example, crossing street without traffic light. People in the United States more respect to the pedestrian than in Indonesia in this situation. In Indonesia, a driver doesn’t care about pedestrian, if they don’t across the street on the appropriate place, like at traffic light. They keep driving fast, although they see pedestrian want to across the street. In contrast, in the U.S. driver always respect to pedestrian, although they across the street without traffic light.
Third, what Indonesians and Americans do when they are sneezing? In Indonesia, there are two kinds of action if they are sneezing. One, people will say “Maaf” when they are sneezing. It means “Sorry” in English. It shows a refine of the people. In this type, usually people who hear the sneeze don’t do or say something. They ignore it, because the sneezer already said sorry. Two, people who are sneezing will say “Alhamdulillah”. The people who hear the sneeze will say”Yarhamukallah”. Saying the words is also to respect the people close to the sneezer. It is Arab language. Moslem people usually use it. But in America, people usually don not say anything.
3.success goal
For those Americans that everyone should have equal opportunity to enter the race and win. In other words, equality of opportunity can be regarded as rules of ethics. This helps ensure that the race to succeed is an unfair and that person does not win just because he was born into a wealthy family, or lost because of race. It is important to understand what most Americans mean when they say that they believe in equality of opportunity. People who like to compete is often more successful than others, and many were honored as the winner. On the other hand, those who do not like to compete and those who do not succeed when they try sometimes rejected and called a loser. Someone has to compete with others. This is the price paid for equality of opportunity. It is expected that everyone should strive to be successful.
Forth and the last, the United States is very unique in the world because the accreditation or the system for setting national standards of quality in education is not administrated by government, but by committees of educators and private agencies like the Middle State Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the Society of Engineers. Meanwhile, Indonesia is administrated by the government.
4. mobility
society is the family or household which is broken up into thousands of units. Secondly, it will discuss the economic institution and its ties to the family. The use of labour power and how that effects the power struggle with the capitalist marketplace will also be discussed. Lastly, the political institution of government will be shown along with its relationships to the family and the families ability to create reform and change regulation.
One of the main institutions in society in the household or family. It is here that almost all the consumption in society takes place. It is also here that almost all the labour power in society originates. The make-up of the family is not as “cut and dry” as it once was. The nuclear family is dead and what has replaced it has put all old theories about the family to the test.
One major change has been the rise of the dual-earner family. In 70% of households today there is no single breadwinner. (Burggraf, 1997:54) Women’s position in the family has been changed radically from that of one-hundred years ago. Three important issues have been raised about women’s position in the family. One is that the development of gender inequality within the family is a result of the changing economy. This being the extra accumulation of property in private households. The second issue is that capitalism being the only form of economy we are familiar with pushes for the working of every family member to create a strong economy. Lastly, the evolution of the family dispersed from economic development and instead become a more social issue. (Wilson, 1982:37)
Because the position of women in the family has been so altered from past history, projections made, even forty years ago, are increasingly wrong. Though, even with the changing structure of the family the economic labour power has not significantly increased. The role of housewife in the post-industrial age was just as important to women as today’s dual earning household. The housewife was the counter-part to the husbands role of breadwinner. It was the wife who cleaned the husbands clothes, prepared his food and provided emotional support, without which he could not fulfill his role as breadwinner. (Burggraf, 1997:174)
With the evolution of the labour market and capitalist economy with the ever increasing consumption of the family unit the homemaker was called to enter the workforce. In 1901 only 12% of Canadian women were economically active, however, in 1961 there were 29.5% economically active. (Wilson, 1982:71). This percentage has gotten exponentially bigger with time. In 1981, 54% of women with dependent children were economically active.(Purdy, 1988:203)
Another facet of the economic family unit is reproduction. The goal of the family unit is to produce children, which in turn expands the labour force, which creates a larger economic base. In Canadian families the emphasis is on quality not quantity and because of this there are gaps in the unskilled labour force. It is only through immigration that the capitalist economy has been able to keep up with the demand for cheap unskilled labour. (Purdy, 1988:229)
So the value of labour power is determined outside capitalism, in non-capitalist units that maintain and reproduce labour power…families. Corporations produce wealth in the form of goods and services and a can last well beyond an individuals life span. Capitalism is a powerful institution with holds on the economy, political state and family as well. The payment of wages allows the corporations to grow and continue to produce goods and exploit workers. (Bailey, 1974:127)
Families consume. In the modern era, most families are not units of production and consumption, mainly just consumption. They do not accumulate wealth, but simply take the wage and spend it on commodities that satisfy their needs. As Karl Marx put it, “if I exchange a commodity [labour power] for money, buy a commodity for it and satisfy my need, then the act is at an end.” (Smith, 1982:29) Families have a limited life span, related to the cycle of growth and decline of individual family members. The family, unless it has property, will inevitably decline to be replaced or reborn in new formations down the generations. Wages earned allow families to survive and reproduce labour power, in the form of children. It is the children that will outlive the family and become the new labour power.
Working for wages allows those with economic activity to support the non-wage-earning members of the household, young and old, caring and dependent. In the spirit of support the family acts with altruism to aid reproduction and in turn this aids the reproduction of the capitalist enterprise. (Smith, 1982: 105) Marx put it like this :
The maintenance and reproduction of the working-class is, as must ever be,
a necessary condition to the reproduction of capital. But the capitalist may safely leave its fulfillment to the labourer’s instincts of self-preservation and of propagation. (Smith, 1982:106)
If Marx is correct in his ideology then the family will be forever in the service of the controllers of the economic and political states. Already the family is related to these two institutions in a number of ways.
The economy and household/family are seperated easily in the modern era. As already stated above, the family of today is primarily a consumption unit, while the economic state is filled with units of production and consumption as well, it produces wages and employment.
Other creations of economy are; capitalist welfare programs (company housing, welfare, pension programs), corporate taxes and employer contributions. (Dickinson/Russell, 1986:13)
The families main tie to the economic state is through labour power. Jack Wayne, in his essay “The function of Social Welfare in a Capitalist Economy” writes:
The reproduction of labour power is, however, private; it generally takes place outside the jurisdiction of capital, in families and households, and is separated from the circuit of capital. The use value of labour power is, of course, of interest to the capitalist, but it is determined by processes and undertakings that occur behind ‘closed doors’. The only point of intervention available to the capitalist is the wage. (Dickinson/Russell, 1986:79)
It is the wage that ties the economic state and family together, and allows the corporations or as Marx calls them capitalists to harness the labour power for their own needs. There is only one form of labour that is not totally governed by the capitalist market and that is domestic labour.
Domestic labour is characterized by a very low level of division of labour. The same person (usually the housewife) does a range of activities which, in the social spheres are carried out by specialists. Some examples of this are catering, education and health businesses. Secondly the products of domestic labour do not have to be sold on the market for the labour to be recognized at useful. This makes domestic labour a non-market production. Lastly the labour-power is not offered on a market and therefor makes up non-waged labour
(housework is non-paid). (Gouverneur, 1983:7)
Closely tied in with the economic state is the political state. The taxes from the economic market feed the collective consumption of the government and legislation and boards from the government provide occupational health and safety standards. The government also provides a stabling influence on the changing economy.
As far as the family is concerned the State provides redistribution of transfer payments and substitute wage programs. The government also strengthens the social welfare net and provides charity and philanthropy to those in need. Labour market regulation allows the regulation of child labour laws and gives more bargaining power to families and wage earners. One major form of this is the ability to strike and discuss minimum wage legislation. (Dickinson/Russell, 1986: 17) Saskatchewan, under the first socialist government in North America the CCF, was the first to give wage-earners the right to go on strike in 1944. It took Ontario twenty years to give its provincial residents the same right.
Households and families units of ,individual consumption, use this increase in labour power to provide more taxes, if not out of the good of their hearts then for government stability, to the political state. Thus, the family unit helps balance the power struggle the government has with the ever increasing economic sphere in a symbiotic relationship.
In “The State and the Maintenance of Patriarchy: A case study of family, labour and welfare legislation in Canada”, Jane Ursel writes:
An important role of the state in class societies is to ensure a balanced allocation of labour and non-labour resources between the two spheres of production and reproduction so that the system is maintained both in the long and short term….the state is the guarantor of the rules of class and the rules of patriarchy and must insure that one system does not disrupt the other. (Dickinson/Russell, 1986:154)
The government uses its control to regulate and perpetuate the status quo and the family is a part of that. However, she does not believe that the patriarchal system is all bad. She continues to write:
Patriarchy is important because the state cannot (inspite of some ill-fated attempts) legislate procreation. It must instead set up a system via family, property and marriage laws which will serve to translage social and economic requirements into compelling household imperatives. The characteristic feature of familial patriarchy is its pronatalist dynamic. This results from the nature of the interaction between class and patriarchy which creates a dterminant relation between productivity and procreation at the household level.(Dickinson/Russel, 1986:157)
The family can change these regulations as well.
According to what has been discussed so far the definition of a family would be a non-capitalist unit in which the maintenance and reproduction of labour power takes place. (Bailey, 1974: 34) The Websters Dictionary describes a family as “a group of related things or people”. (1990) However, the Canadian government defines the family as “now-married couple (with or without never-married sons and/or daughters of either or both spouses), a couple living common law (again with or without never-married sons and/or daughters of either or both partners) or a lone parent of any marital status, with at least one never-married son or daughter living in the same dwelling. (Statistics Canada, 1994:10)
Because the governments definition of family lets several groups that may still be considered families “slip through the cracks”, this gives bargaining power to the family unit yet again to change government regulation. The Canadian government still does not recognize same sex couples, three generations living in the same household and individuals living apart from spouses and children. In 1991, 424,950 individuals aged 18-25 lived with non-relatives, in institutions, or by themselves. This represents over 20% of the age group. (Statistics Canada, 1994:19)
One aspect of the political sphere that the family continually challenges is gender equality. Starting with the latter part of the nineteenth century where waves of feminist protest
began throughout the western world. Women organized in groups starting at the family level and gaining support from other women’s groups. One of the first cases early feminists argued before the government was their collective right to vote. As early as 1916 in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba women were given the right to vote, this increased the families power with swaying the political sphere…it essentially doubled it. (Wilson. 1982:119)
The women’s movement appeared to lose its momentum after women gained the right to vote. But although women’s groups were no longer held together by a single goal. They continued to fight for women’s rights on several fronts. The YWCA and Canadian Business and Professional Women remained active in support of women’s issues. However, it wasn’t until the 1960′s that the movement regained its previous strength. (Wilson, 1982:125)
Women in families are not the only ones who have argued with the political sphere and won some political rights. Some Gay families or same-sex couples have won the right to adopt children and in some American states get married.
The Modern family depends heavily on the all the institutions of society for support. Where in the past the family was independent, now it needs the bonds created through long access to each sphere either political or economic. The labour power generated by the family unit gives it he bargaining power to compete head to head with the ever growing and dominant labour market and government bureaucracy.
But because the family is the smallest group and is based on individual consumption it can seem over-taxed when dealing with mighty corporations and large political states. However, in the global market-place the power lies in the hands of those that control the labour and the consumption. Currently, the family institution relies on the economy and political state, but as the bargaining for labour power continues the family is emerging as the dominant force. As new evolutions of families are being allowed to participate in our culture, more power will create more labour and more reproduction. It is a basic fact that history repeats itself, maybe the family will gain the dominant role it had before the industrial revolution and mercantilism.
Success as a goal
Americans
Already familiar in the eyes of the world if the Americans people to be successful, both in career, leadership, and also in the neighborhood they live. We know, that American is a country hard worker. American country known as super powers. This country does not Recognize the term holidays, They are a country with a population That likes to work hard. They Spend more of his time to work hard. The hard work has been Both Necessary and beneficial for the majority of Americans throughout their history. They work hard, not because it wanted to be rich, like a lot of money. But more than that, their personal employment who love them, make them a success in terms of what they do. Money only as a tool in their opinion, not a measure of success for the American people. Success in the eyes of the American people are not having a lot of property, big house, car lot, a growing stock. But what effect they create in their work. How big is good and positive influence they can give, to the extent that their success rate. Money only as a token of appreciation. Not as a sign of success. But recognition of the people around that show the level of their success. They always work hard and to get better jobs. This is the American characters, the perception of their success, not viewed from the material alone. They want success, and success becomes their goal, which is how to give more good and positive influence for others, can be recognized by others and is also successful because of own efforts. This is said to be a success for American country.
Indonesians
Comparing it with the Indonesia, a country which is also desperately want individual success. Success is the goal of every person in their careers. But it is very different from the American state. Indonesian wants success, viewed in terms of material. Said to be successful, if the money they get more and more, getting rich, having abundance of wealth. This is said to be successful, for the nation’s perception of Indonesian. They are more directed to the money. Not to the effect that they made from their work. Many people who want to be successful,but with a little energy and effort. Success in for Indonesian, mostly because of the influence or background of the parents or family. Because his parents who are successful, automaticaly,his children become successful too. In Indonesia, the influence of a person’s name is very great influence. Especially in the business world,and government. Concrete examples of its highly visible, the attitude of the government is increasingly rich, has a lot of money, the more successful. But do not think the fate of the people. They seem close their eyes and ears will distress and suffering of the people. Instead they are cool to sleep during a meeting, ask for a new building, renovation of toilets asked to spend a very large cost. Even more cruel is that they buy the bench again, special ordered from abroad. It’s a very ironic situation. This is the character of Indonesian. How do I become successful, without thinking of the people. Do not give a lot of good and positive influence. Success is seen if the self-advancing, more and more rich.
Materialisme
Americans
Materialism is an ideology or doctrine that emphasizes the material only, that is everything that is visible. Centered view of the matter, and regard the material as a main (primary). Whether they are property, money and others. In my opinion, the American is not a country which materialism. This is seen from their attitude toward money, the money just as an appreciation of what they do. Not a primary goal, and not concerned with money, wealth is not everything. But Americans are more likely to prefer objects that are new, comfortable, smooth, soft. Indeed they are a nation full of enthusiasm for work, hard work and try as much as possible. Although, American is a country hard worker, does not mean this country is a country that materialistic. Money, property is not everything for this nation, money is the result of what they do. Although it is by having a lot of money, social status they had to be increased. But Americans are not focused with money.
Indonesians
Unlike the Americans, I think Indonesian is a country that materialistic. Not willing to discredit the nation itself. But what I see, that’s what the situation. Want to justify a variety of ways, although how that is done is not good. What is important is how to get the property and material / money. Although the need to cheat, though should be a sycophant for the person who is totally wrong (corruptor), it’s all for the sake of earning money and possessions. Establish relationships with key people and powerful, for the sake of self-interest. in order to get paid, either material, the form of property. This is the situation that I see from the current state of Indonesia. Indeed the situation is very bad and very alarming I think.
The Ideal of Service
Americans
In American, the level of their concern for other people is very high. Mutual help and mutual help others, is the character of American. We know American as developed countries, and countries that have a high concern, to other countries. This is evident from their attitude in the event of disaster and catastrophe in another country. American quickly and as soon as possible to give assistance. Whether it’s assistance in terms of food, drinks, clothing, medicines, financial assistance and support they provide to the victims. Character is what makes other nations admire American. In addition to the state known as hard workers, American is a country that was highly prioritizes volunteerism and concern that high. Not only his country, even to other states.
Indonesians
We compare with countries Indonesian, Indonesian including the countries that have a sense of caring. But a sense of concern for this country is very low, unlike the American state. Indonesian more selfish or her own group, rather than the interests of others. In other words, selfishness is more dominant than volunteerism or a sense of caring. A concrete example we can see is the attitude of the governments of these countries, the price of food continues to rise, natural disasters that occurred in this country, floods are cause the schools and houses submerged in water, school buildings are not worthy to be occupied, displaced many poor to sleep under bridges, railroads, and many more situation of concern. But the government’s stance for granted, so do not even seem concerned with the suffering of the people. Instead they are cool to sleep during the meeting. Go abroad and take the money of the people (become corruptor). They prefer to satisfy themselves, rather than helping people. This is the condition of Indonesian. Sense of caring that is embedded is very low.
Mobility
Americans
Social mobility is the process of moving the position, change, shift, increase, or decrease in social status and role of its members. In American, everyone has equal rights and opportunities for a better life, to achieve what they want. Both in terms of jobs, housing, education, and relationships within the household. They want something better, more decent than ever. They struggled, worked hard to earn a decent living, decent work. To be someone who is successful with their efforts and hard work of their own. For example: a man of his life unemployed, would not be comfortable with the situation. In unemployed situation, he may have no income. Though the necessities of life will always exist and grow. Therefore, he will think hard and try to get out of the situation. In him will arise dissatisfaction with what he earned. He will try hard to get jobs and raises incomes. By increasing the income it will enhance their social status.
Indonesians
According to Paul B. Horton, social mobility is a motion movement from one social class to social class or the movement of moving from one stratum to another stratum. Meanwhile, according to Kimball Young and Raymond W. Mack, social mobility is a movement in the social structure that is certain patterns that govern the organization of a social group. In Indonesian, everyone wants an increase in life much better. Everyone wants to get better jobs. Want to move up the job, want a greater income than ever, want to own a luxury home, luxury cars and property. Because with all this, will increase their social status. With high social status, people are more heard, more appreciated and more respected. In the modern world, many people trying to make social mobility. They believe that it will make people become happier and allow them to do the kind of work most suitable for themselves. For example: a poor boy trying to study hard in order to gain wealth in the future, a retired petty official one department switched jobs to become an entrepreneur with great success. This will improve the status of himself and his family. People will try to perform or attempt to move forward to improve their social status. This opportunity to encourage people to want to compete, and work hard in order to rise to the upper strata. Another example is Indonesian, which is undergoing a change from an agrarian society to industrial society. This change will occur more quickly if they are supported by resources that have the quality. This condition needs to be supported by an increase in education.
The influence of the Frontier
Americans
American social development has been continually beginning over again on the frontier. This perennial rebirth, this fluidity of American life, this expansion westward with its new opportunities, its continuous touch with the simplicity of primitive society, furnish the forces dominating American character. The true point of view in the history of this nation is not the Atlantic Coast, it is the Great West. Even the slavery struggle, which is made so exclusive an object of attention by writers like Professor von Holst, occupies its important place in American history because of its relation to westward expansion. The main point he makes is that people continue to go out and settled on the edge of the border. In time, more people will come and the border will be pushed back further, until he came to the point when there is more uncertain territory. The urge to conquer the frontier is the driving force behind the settlement. In this advance, the frontier is the outer edge of the wave — the meeting point between savagery and civilization. Much has been written about the frontier from the point of view of border warfare and the chase, but as a field for the serious study of the economist and the historian it has been neglected. From the vantage point of the 20th century, the metaphor of the frontier seems at least as important as the reality of unsettled land (if not even more so). But this may only be the case because all one now has left is the idea of the frontier, not having had any actual land left for westward expansion for over a century. Now, the frontier is the line of most rapid and effective Americanization.
Indonesians
Indonesia is a great nation, a nation that is rich, has lots of land and sea. This is what makes Indonesia called a nation that is rich in its natural resources. Because it is so vast and great land and sea which is owned by the Indonesian state. But the situation we see at the moment is, a lot of territory, borders, islands are lost because it has been taken and occupied by another country. Examples is the dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia, who fight over an aquatic area, which becomes the border dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia. In fact we do know is that area still entered into the territory of Indonesia. However Malaysia try to admit it. This must be addressed more pointedly by the Indonesian government, so that other countries do not recognize offhand Indonesian territory.
The American Creed
Americans
United States is a sovereign state, which is Governed by the government of the people, by the people, for the people; strength derived from the consent of the governed, founded upon the principles of liberty, equality, justice, and humanity which American patriots sacrificed lives and fortunes them. In Americaa, the residents believe and realize that it is their duty to love their country, to support the Constitution, to obey the law, to respect the flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
American exceptionalism has come to have two meanings. For many politicians, it is a term of praise: the United States, compared to other countries, is unusually good. United States is different is the argument that links the diverse essays in Seymour Martin Lipset’s book. “America continues to be qualitatively different” from other advanced industrial nations, Lipset writes. “It is the most religious, optimistic, patriotic, rights-oriented, and individualistic. With respect to crime, it still has the highest rates; It is the leader in upward mobility into professional and other high-status and elite occupations, but the least egalitarian among developed nations with respect to income distribution, at the bottom as a provider of welfare benefits, the lowest in savings, the least taxed, close to the top in terms of commitment to work rather than leisure.” Lipset makes the important observation “that various seemingly contradictory aspects of American society are intimately related. The lack of respect for authority, anti-elitism, and populism contribute to higher crime rates, school undiscipline, and low electoral turnouts. The emphasis on achievement, on meritocracy, is also tied to higher levels of deviant behavior and less support for the underprivileged.”
Indonesians
Indonesia is a republic country, the majority of the population adheres to the religion of Muslim. Indonesia country was known as the state religion. Although the majority religion is Muslim. However, Indonesia consists of many religions, including the Muslim, Christian Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist and Hindu. Unlike the Americans, the American government is government of the people, by the people and for the people. While in Indonesia do not like it. In the Indonesian government nowadays only to the government, to the nobility (have money), especially in the case law of Indonesia, Indonesian society becomes apathetic to the enforcement officers of existing laws in Indonesian. For those who are guilty (corrupt) the punishment is very short, very different from ordinary people who make mistakes and severely punished.
Humors
Americans
Every person has a different sense of humor, there is a sense of humor, and there is the usual course. In American, they also liked the humor. Humor as a good means to reduce their tension. Whether it’s the tension in the home life, in work, in the school. Many things can be cause the frustration. Thus the nature of humor is needed. Humor is the right medicine and the most efficacious for reducing tension. Joking and laughing with other people, it is very entertaining and makes the heart glad and excited again. I do not know the groups of humor contained in American, but I do know that any American has a pretty good sense of humor. As an example it is the broadcast of Oprah Winfrey, in this show, Oprah hosted the event, sometimes the words funny, joke and humor that makes the audience to be relaxed, not tense, be smiling, even laughing. This proves that style of humor, humorous story is very necessary for people in America.
Indonesians
Humor is a requirement needed by the people at this time. We’ll see in Indonesian today. From year to year there are always groups of comedy, which adorn the television screens, to entertain the people of Indonesian. From the comedy group Warkop, Srimulat, until that is known today is the Opera Van Java. No doubt that today’s world, the demands of work, highway congestion, population density etc. make Indonesian people feel stressed and depressed. Thus the nature of humor, laugh and joke-joke funny and interesting indeed indispensable. In addition, Indonesia also has a lot of people that can entertain everyone around them with the expense of their own making. Personally, my relationship with my friends in campus. Without realizing it, when are chatting, studying, there are just joke and humorists that we create. The nature of this humor can calm the mind, making the load was reduced. And indeed Indonesian people, loved humorists, even the humor is used as a profession, to comfort others. In my opinion, Indonesia is a nation that has a sense of humor.
Conclusion
After we see the 7 characters that are owned by American country, and we have compared it with our country, Indonesia. It turned out that our country has much to learn from American country. This is what makes America country into a developed country, a successful and can serve as an example for other nations. That is because the characters are owned by the state is mostly good-natured and positive. And this is very good to be able to apply on our country. In order for our country could be better than the present. Because there is nothing wrong if we look in the mirror and imitate country of a successful American country.
References
http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materialisme
http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerak_sosial
http://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1693210.html
http://www.ushistory.org/documents/creed.htm
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/51853/michael-lind/the-american-creed-does-it-matter-should-it-change
1. Success as a goal
Americans
Americans really appreciate time. In their opinion, success is the fruit of hard work. They always try to work hard and keep learning to achieve the success. They believe that any business they do seriously will bring them to the true success as a goal in their life.
Indonesians
Differ from Americans, most Indonesians assume that people who own property and wealth are successful people. Some Indonesians are also effortless to try but want to get high achievements. They usually use instant way to reach success.
2. Materialism
Americans
Americans fond of having things that are new, shiny, softly, padded, conveniently arranged, and efficient. They also like living without raising a hand or taking a step.
Indonesians
Like Americans, Indonesian also like having new, shiny, softly, padded, conveniently arranged, and efficient things. The different lies on whether the things are original or not. Indonesians like buying unoriginal things because the unoriginal ones are cheaper than the original ones.
3. The Ideal of Service
Americans
Americans government not only relies on itself, but also institutions of community to provide the needs of the citizen. They keep everything together so to make possible a healthier, happier, richer life.
Indonesians
Indonesian government actually has given good services to the citizen. However, the citizen don’t keep the facilities well. They use public facilities without any responsibilities. As a result, there are many public facilities are not in good conditions.
4. A Nation of Conformists?
Americans
Americans seem lack of respect. It is shown by, for example how employees and employers calling each other by their first name. However, some of them do not like it. They think it shows lack of respect.
Indonesians
Indonesians always show respect to each other neither to the familiar ones nor to the unfamiliar ones.
5. Mobility
Americans
Americans hunger for a harmonious home, for love, success and companionship like people everywhere. They find a career by experimenting with courses in many fields at college, and then by moving from one company to another until they find the right job. Advancement often comes more quickly by switching to a competitive company than by staying in the one where they started.
Indonesians
Like Americans, Indonesian also hunger for those things. However, Indonesians seem effortless to get what they want. They tend to stay in their comfort zone than to try to step out from their comfort zone. They tend to stay on where they started and make another business to get what they want.
6. The Influence of Frontier
Americans
American frontier has so powerful impacts, brings new properties to the fore. The hard conditions of the daily life made for roughness in manners. Competition needs to kill to stay alive, the absence of law and order made man tough, sometimes brutal, and fast to use brute strength. This aggressiveness of Americans can be determined that they tend to use affirmative action to achieve the winning or success. For example, the conflict in the Middle East countries such as the conflict in Libya which is a civil war that occurred recently or even is still happening.
Indonesians
Indonesia is a country which has accepted many influence of the frontier. But it is not easy to give an influence for Indonesian culture, especially a culture that come frome west country because Indonesia is one of nation that joined in the east country that known as a closed country. Indonesian usually filter off the culture. If the effect is matched with Indonesian culture, it will be accept kindly.
7. Humor
Americans
American humor confirms the importance of mating and the family, the high status of women and children, the pace and tension of life, and above all the love of humor itself as an approach to life more to be prized than riches, a gift to be cherished and applauded.
Indonesians
Humor is a part of tradition in Indonesia, such as Ketoprak from Java and Lenong from Jakarta. The story is about legend or daily life. Indonesian humor sometimes contain some physical humors and dances.
1. Materialism
American
In America, the gain of money is important as the clearest proof of success, though there are other proofs, prominence, public notice, good works, and fame. But the retention of money is not important at all. Indeed, it may be frowned upon if it keeps the owner from living well. To sum up, materialism that strikes a visitor to America is not that of loving and hoarding wealth it is a love making and consuming wealth. Moreover American has been blessed with a rich supply of raw materials and American have the high level of production that lead to high level of material comfort and mighty fond of having things that are good.
Indonesian
Money is also important for Indonesian and it is also one of proof of success. Most Indonesians believe that success means having a lot of money. Indonesian assumes that retention of money is important. Nowadaysmany Indonesians who are rich invest their wealth on property or other business. Furthermore Indonesian has been also blessed with a rich supply of raw material. But Indonesian does not have high level production as American does. American produces the product and leads to high level of material. On the other hand Indonesian imports many products from other country. Because many Indonesians assume that the products import is better than the local ones.
2.Success as a Goal
American
Success is probably the highest value in American life. It relates to so many other characteristics of American life-individualism, freedom, goal-setting, progress, experimenting, social mobility, making money, pragmatism, and optimism. Americans want to “make a success of themselves.” This is the “American Dream” which has attracted millions of immigrants and has been taught to generations of American children. Everyone wants to be a success at something. If you do not think that way, you may be considered a failure. It is almost impossible to criticize success. For example, if an employee does something without properly consulting his supervisor and as a result the company gets a big contract with a new customer, the employee will get much more praise than blame. The success of getting the new contract may be more important than the failure to consult a superior. Sometimes people will even say cheating is justified if it brings success. Other people, however, may disagree. Although national success depends on strength in sovereignty, democracy, economics, and global leadership, it is also based on the personal views of success by Americans (Jackson). It can be based on items such as: rank, as in the position one holds; income, or the amount one makes; or even the quantity of power one holds. Being president of the United States is one instance of power, because even though he is not necessarily the wealthiest person in the nation he is one.
3.The Influence of the Frontier
American
The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier–a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile. On the other hand, the frontier was appealing to settlers because of the promise of new wonders, and land. There was plenty of it, and thanks to manifest destiny and the industrial revolution there was the production of rail lines to connect cities on the East coast, eventually connecting to the west to transport goods.
Indonesian
Indonesia has frontier that can give some benefit for the country. For example, there is new frontier in East Kalimantan. That is the Mahakam River, the heart of Kalimantan, the name for Indonesian Borneo. On the map the Mahakam is a winding snake, the longest river of East Kalimantan, travelling 900 kilometres from the coast to the green highlands of the interior. Today, the river is brown, filled with garbage and eroded soil from cleared forests, and it has become the highway for the coal coming from the rainforest and ending up in growing economies outside Indonesia. Fifty years ago, this water was clear; now it’s deeply stained, although the river remains the only source of washing and drinking water for thousands of people.
4. The Ideal of Service
American
America is not only an incredible country in the eyes of the world, but the U.S. government is also very concerned with all Americans, not just every other country but America was not immune from the American government, although Americans are very cruel in the world but the U.S. government is very concerned with sesame man, do not forget the American people or happy to see others who are experiencing any issues, it is evident because when a country getting disaster, the U.S. government swiftly take action directly against the state aid that experienced the disaster. Essentially the U.S. government still cares and still help the State get the disaster and also not arrogant american despite an extraordinary country. Indonesian Always we compare Indonesia with American, Indonesian government is not the same as the American, Indonesian government sometimes ignores or assist States who experience a disaster, although sometimes the Indonesian government to help the State get a disaster but sometimes wonder whether Indonesia aid channeled and given to the State who experience such disasters come or sent to the country experienced the disaster, the minimum sample Indonesian government is not considering any need for the citizens of Indonesia are currently a lot of help from my Indonesian governance could help thinking that Indonesia was not given or can be sent by the government on corruption Indoneisa to think about themselves and also for their own
5.Mobility
American
Mobility in the United States refers to the movement of Americans from one social class or economic level to another, often by changing jobs or marrying. This “vertical” mobility can be the change in socioeconomic status between parents and children or over the course of a lifetime. It typically refers to “relative mobility” the chance that an American’s income/status will rise or fall compared to others in another income/status group, but can also be “absolute” whether living standards in America have increased. Belief in strong social and economic mobility that Americans can and do rise from humble origins to riches has been called a “civil religion”, “the bedrock upon which the American story has been anchored and part of the American identity, celebrated in the lives of famous Americans such as Benjamin Franklin and Henry Ford and in popular culture (from the books of Horatio Alger and Norman Vincent Peale to the song “Movin’ on Up. Opinion polls show this belief to be both stronger now in America than in years past, and stronger than in other developed countries. However, in recent years several large studies have found that vertical inter-generational mobility is lower, not higher, in America than in those countries. More encouraging results come from study of “absolute mobility” which has found most Americans have more income than their parents. A 2007 study “Economic Mobility Project: Across Generations,” using Panel Study of Income Dynamics, found.
6. Humorist
American
Comedy shows in America earlier rose to fame during the 90′s where the channel wants to show America a sitcom. This sitcom prefer stories about everyday life in the United States or a simple family in some office workers who always want to joke to one another. A comedy show that often we have seen such a situation comedy and stand up comedy was inspired by American comedy shows in the past. American society is also of the community who have a high sense of humor, as evidenced by the existence of several theaters that provide a stage in which there is a joke. Indonesian
In this country people who have a sense of humor or love to make jokes usually happy with all the people and had many friends. Sense of humor is a good point to make others interested in ourselves. sense of humor is necessary for the people of Indonesia, given the range of issues raised in this country often makes it easy masyarakt emotions, stress and easily hurt. Therefore, humor is a requirement for Indonesia and will always be needed. even now many comedy events in Indonesia up to become a dedicated entertainment for everyone who may feel the boredom of work.
7.The American creed
American
United States is a country that most religious and most diverse of all the religions of Western industrial countries. Half of Americans, religious affiliation changes they bring from childhood, and underwent a change when stepping up. They leave the religion is being taught to them when it’s childhood. Overall, the higher the education level and income of Americans, they don’t believe in belief about the intervention of God. But if they follow the religious rituals, it is the belief that God is the same height as those in education and income levels are lower. Religion in America such as: Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, Jewish and the other. Meanwhile, 46 percent of Catholic followers in America was no longer going to church. The rest, there are between Catholics who convert to Protestantism and other religions. The religious changes, one of which is due to the influence of marriages between adherents of a religion. But, many of those who do not adhere to any religion, aka became an atheist. The tendency in the West, the decrease in other religions, not because of the increasingly powerful cultural materialism, and is no longer bound by their human religion as a belief. This is what is now happening in the United States and other Western countries, who left their religion, due to the influence of religion in life away, due to the influence of materialism is increasingly prominent. Religion ceased to be a determinant factor in public life.
Indonesian
Religion in Indonesia plays an important role in people’s lives. This is stated in the Indonesian national ideology, Pancasila: “Almighty Deity”. A number of religions in Indonesia collective influence on politics, economics and culture. In 2010, approximately 85.1% of the 240,271,522 residents of Indonesia is Muslim, 9.2% Protestant, 3.5% Catholic, 1.8% Hindu, and 0.4% Buddhist. In the 1945 Constitution states that “each citizen is given the freedom to choose and practice the faith” and “guarantee everything will be the freedom to worship, according to the religion or belief”. Government, however, officially only recognizes six religions, namely Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. With so many religions and faiths in Indonesia, inter-religious conflict is often inevitable. Moreover, the political leadership of Indonesia plays an important role in the relations between groups and classes. The transmigration program has indirectly caused a number of conflicts in eastern Indonesia.
American Character
I think all Americans are Puritan. American personality is very difficult or complicated because they have diverse racial and cultural origin, by successive waves of immigration from all parts of the world, by our regional diversification (diversified) by which a person belongs-generation first-generation immigrants, second-generation children of immigrants, and on down the line (below the line). The temptation (temptation) is strong for lumps (lumps, as well) all Americans together. But they look a little more confused by the contradictions appear (conflict) in the life Amerika.Mereka spend more time and money in traveling, camping, hunting (hunting), watching television and reading newspapers and magazines than anyone else in the world. But they also spend more money on churches, social services, hospitals, and all kinds of charities. They’re always in a hurry, but they spend more time relaxing. They are at the same time sensitive to the rights of the individual and conformist habits. They are at the same time sensitive to the rights of the individual and conformist habits. They worship the great size yet high regard (upholding High,) the little man if he became a small businessman as opposed to large or ordinary citizens (plain, plain, regular) as opposed to a big wheel.
1.Success as a Goal
According to the American people that success is not always material rewards (appreciation, gifts, contributions), but the recognition of some sort-should be measured. Goals must call for specific actions, behaviors or events to be successfully met. Individuals must define their desired results within each goal statement using a proactive voice. For example, “I will increase my savings deposits by $50 per week in order to fund my summer trip to Europe.” Goals should contain not more than two sentences and should establish what, where and why. Goals must be measurable to assure success. When setting goals, it is important to describe how each result will be measured. In our example we set clear steps and timelines. Our action step involves increasing deposits by an established amount. We set measurable tracking points by establishing a weekly timeline. If goals are not measurable, individuals cannot track their progress. Goals set successfully always answer the question “How can I measure my success?” Goals must be achievable. A person cannot become a doctor if he has not been graduated from medical school, nor can a business increase its sales if it does not have an advertising budget. In a savings-related goal like our example, a person must ask himself whether the goal is achievable with his current resources. When creating a goal, ask yourself whether you have the skills, tools and resources needed to achieve the goal. Taking a realistic approach is perhaps one of the most important characteristics of successful goal setting. Goals challenge us to achieve or attain what is important to us. For us to maintain motivation levels and avoid frustration, goals must also be realistic. In the example goal, if we could not afford to save the $50 dollars a week, then we would face hardship and would not reach our goal by summer. Realistic goals are honest goals. Goals established thoughtfully can challenge us, but are not set beyond our natural abilities. Setting realistic goals involves asking “Is this possible?” Successful goal setting must set forth measurable points for starting, ending, review and assessment. A successful goal has deadlines and endings. In our example, we set a weekly period goal and an end goal of summer. Open-ended goals often fail because individuals have not have set dates to review, measure and revise. For decades, American identity depends cap on rugged individualism. This idea continues, even today. “This is demonstrated by the findings that: (1) There is almost unanimous agreement that” my success depends on me, “and that it is important to have a good education, (2) Nine out of ten people believe that individual hard work leads to success, and that education is the great equalizer, (3) Two-thirds do not believe that class and privilege predict success, (4) Half (51%) of people still believe the old adage that “anyone can grow up to be President.
2.Materialism
Materialism in philosophy is the view that everything that exists is either composed of matter or depends on matter for its existence. Materialism is generally contrasted with idealism, which holds that ideas are real and stresses the importance of the mind and soul. Materialists have generally believed that the only things that are real are the things that a person can perceive through his senses and that all events in the universe can be explained by scientific law. Basic to materialism is the denial of the existence of a God who directs the universe and of the immortality of the individual soul. If we were in America, we will always see Americans always eat at restaurants or buying jewelry or anything that interesting for themselves and also went to the malls to shop, that’s the way of life of the American people who are always stylish living luxury and always materialism, because most Americans are rich and also the American people are never satisfied with what they’ve got or they buy, the American people are very materialism in the shop, but it was worth the hard work the results they have done in in their respective jobs, the American people have never thought about the price of something they want. That is why the American people are very materialism in their lives.
Indonesia
Indonesian people no different than Americans are always very materialism lifestyle, as always go to restaurants, buy jewelry, buy anything that they want, and also go to any mall to memghabiskan lot of money without thinking about the sheer lust of money have each brand. But there are also people who are not Indonesian materialism, as people are still thinking about their future each and also always thinking of saving for the future or those without a waste of money, and also use the money as needed without wasting the money they have respectively each.
3. The Ideal of Service
American
America is not only an incredible country in the eyes of the world, but the U.S. government is also very concerned with all Americans, not just every other country but America was not immune from the American government, although Americans are very cruel in the world but the U.S. government is very concerned with sesame man, do not forget the American people or happy to see others who are experiencing any issues, it is evident because when a country getting disaster, the U.S. government swiftly take action directly against the state aid that experienced the disaster. Essentially the U.S. government still cares and still help the State get the disaster and also not arrogant american despite an extraordinary country.
Indonesia
Always we compare Indonesia with American, Indonesian government is not the same as the American, Indonesian government sometimes ignores or assist States who experience a disaster, although sometimes the Indonesian government to help the State get a disaster but sometimes wonder whether Indonesia aid channeled and given to the State who experience such disasters come or sent to the country experienced the disaster, the minimum sample Indonesian government is not considering any need for the citizens of Indonesia are currently a lot of help from my Indonesian governance could help thinking that Indonesia was not given or can be sent by the government on corruption Indoneisa to think about themselves and also for their own families, while Indonesia a country that cares about each other, but the Indonesian government hurts really think of myself without thinking of every citizen who needs rock Indonesia Indonesian government.
4. A Nation of Conformists
American
Compliance in a country is in need of obedience and discipline in the set in a country, such compliance has been owned by the state and by the American people because the American people are very demonstrate compliance with the Americans in America, with the compliance adopted by the American it would be a good result in discipline, obedience will also be there, as well as the discipline for compliance will result in the development of the American state in the country, and will also be better. Examples are: obedience to traffic signs, compliance with the law, and others.
Indonesia
If we compare it with Indonesia, one of which is difficult to do by the Indonesian people is adherence to his own country, a lot of people who really did not comply with the Indonesian anything for his own country, for example, are: lack obey traffic signs are there, do not comply applicable laws, does not comply with the constitution, etc., cause it does not demonstrate compliance with Indonesian people prevailing in their own country, whereas the adherence to whatever will make Indonesia better, nice, neat, orderly, and well disciplined in demonstrate compliance with applicable in Indonesia.
5. The Influence of the Frontier
American
Often we hear american full influence of the border because the border areas are very broad and united in interest by people who menginkan American frontier, everyone wants the border and because it will impact the border carrying a tremendous impact on American colors, Americans often make an issue about the impact of the border, the border issue Americans are always competing for the desired area by every American citizen, the impact will extend the influence of border issues and also make others menginkan border with fighting over the way or what action just to get in the border area have united. The influence of the border will cause tremendous conflict and will influence people to compete unfairly, sometimes will get casualties in the border effect.
Indonesia
If we compare with Indonesia is very much different from the American one, sometimes the influence of the border in Indonesia is not as difficult as American, Indonesia is not too concerned about the effect if the Indonesia border because the border dispute should not take much victim, if the Indonesian people do not get better looking the frontier border others to no casualties, but the only people who complicate and expand the influence of the border problem, but the way he thinks will sound better yield compared to the border dispute should get a lot of victims that should not happen, because people love peace love Indonesia in Indonesia everyone.
6. The American Creed
American
As we know, America is a country that is growing in any case, such as: economic, political, military, education, culture, and religion, not only that America has embraced the very confidence of Americans who promote America in the eyes of the world. The belief that they hug and they have ie: from matters of religion, in the U.S. is very strong in his religion for their beliefs, most average Americans embraced religion as Christianity, Islam, and others, but not in America offend or insult other religions, which is important not insult one another both Christianity and Islam as well as the others. That is one side of the trust in the trust or in the arms of the Americans, and also very respectful of other religions are embraced by other Americans.
Indonesia
It would be easier to compare the trust between the American people or the American people with Indonesia by looking at the difference in a very menonojol, as a very strong American belief in the embrace of the religious, Indonesia also has the same beliefs stand with America, for example, the same as in America faith, Indonesia is also very strong in religious beliefs believed by people in Indonesia, but the comparison is the Indonesian people still see the differences between one religion and another, like the religion of Islam are still concerned about the difference between religion, very strange if we see the small matter, should religious differences should not be made in big trouble in life, should be a solid wall and strong in religious differences, with the differences and respect other religions will unite the difference and it will be wonderful sense of difference .
7. Joke
American
Humorous is nature to entertain or make people laugh, and also to make any atmosphere to be pleasant. As we know, America is a very advanced country in the world, as well as we know the American people are also hardworking, sometimes humor Americans have properties that would make them not be stressed hard work, nature sometimes humor to the American people always issued to create a comfortable atmosphere, nature too humorous for the American people to make friends or family to be comforted, humorous attitude must be owned by the American people to keep it fresh and not become saturated to the lives of those ongoing without any entertainment or humor , but not as often as humorous nature issued by the American people, only for certain circumstances humorous nature issued by the American people.
Indonesia
If we compare this with the Indonesian people, to the humorous nature of Indonesia is similar to the American people but the Indonesian people are very much the nature of humor in comparison with Americans, Indonesian people are very often exclude properties humor to entertain, create a comfortable atmosphere, and make people laugh, because the Indonesian people love to make people happy and laugh. That is why the Indonesian people mostly funny and be entertained by the humorous way Indonesia. So many people become entertainers Indonesian people. The nature is very humorous in Indonesia used to relieve stress for everyone or for every who has the humorous nature.
1. Success as a goal.
America
Success is highly desired and craved by everyone, because if we are successful people will not look down and think we underestimated because success is always considered and addressed even the benchmark one, and success more often in view of people with intellectual or possessions and money, but rich is not everything.
America is one of the strongest countries in the world with leading some aspects of the world such as economic, political, military, education, etc. besides have the major influence of development in the world, American people also have some characters that developed in the middle American people. With the diversity of culture, ethnic, religious, and language brought positive values to develop America became the strongest country in the world.
In America there are lots of successful people and successful, the success they achieve is the result of their own hard work, a lot of them are good men and women struggled and struggled to gain success and success. By the time they become adults and are ready to make a living or support themselves then the brand will work hard to find jobs that they need, in fact they are not shy and do not hesitate to look for rough work such as working in the household, or even work as a gardener or even a broom street they live wholeheartedly vigorously and diligently without any embarrassment.
Indonesia
Most Indonesians also highly value success. However, different from Americans, Indonesian patriarch (or feudalistic?) culture tend to discourage equal opportunity for every individual. Indonesians also prefer ‘harmony’ than competition. In addition, many Indonesian still believe that one’s future is determined by a power outside of oneself. No matter how hard someone works, there is no guarantee that he will succeed
This is obvious because kebudyaan in Indonesia is very strong that teaches about the destiny and fate that makes some people indosenia surrender or to surrender in the face of the good life in the world of work so that the lack of enthusiasm in pursuing a career, only a few people are successful because the success of self-their own, as many of them are less able and less confident.
2. Materialism
American
Now a days, materialism became the lifestyle of Americans people. It has became a trend and develop in American society. They always pursue and purchase goods with the latest and most enermous with considerable cost, just to satisfy their desire to shop. Then after they got what they want, they will find other items for their found again and it continued all the time. This lifestyle certain require a large fee. So that American people has always worked hard to get a lot of money to satisfy their desire to shop in the best place,
The pursuit of the American dream has become rather costly in that it is fraught with a large quantity of material possessions. The requirements to “keep up with the Joneses” are becoming more and more burdensome. Americans are made to feel that they absolutely must have certain things that had not even been invented just a few years ago. The increase in high tech, computerized, and digitized devices in the areas of electronics and household appliances has altered the landscape of the American home and family.
Americans will continue to subscribe to the pursuit of material goods, especially high tech devices for two basic reasons: the need for comfort and the need for entertainment. The deep, sometimes unspoken desire is to be coddled, catered to, and distracted. Embedded in this need for comfort and entertainment is the need for easy, quick access to information and resources
Indonesia
Same as American society, Indonesia also has a lifestyle of materialism. However, there is a difference value of materialism between American and Indonesian people. lifestyle of materialism is also developing in the middle of the Indonesian people.
Unlike the Americans, who need electronics for the job and career demands, while Indonesia’s own technology is needed for entertainment and pleasure, thus making the gap for those who do not have social.
3. The Ideal of Service
Americans
Americans have a great volunteer spirit. They always help people affected by natural disasters, one natural disaster tsunami in Aceh. Not a bit of assistance provided by them to the nation of Indonesia in the form of moral and material assistance. They spend a lot of assistance to help citizens of other countries who are in the disaster. America is also providing services to the offender is more than just help people leaving prison. It’s also a service to the community, and service to children and other family members to whom the perpetrator would return. American people have a sense to help each other. American government always concern to their citizens wherever they are lived around the world. American Government always defend its citizens either inside or outside the United States
American government is always concerned with the problems faced by its citizens, both issues in law, economics, education, health, etc. For example in education, the American government has always raise standards of education in America and every children can develop himself and his country. Thus every American citizen to help each other to develop their country, and the U.S. government also can provide the ideal of services to its citizens.
Indonesia
Compared with Indonesia, the Government of Indonesia has not been able to provide the ideal of service to its citizens. Because the character of Indonesian people who still want to enrich themselves without regard for others.
any services in Indonesia are overlooked because of his lack of attention from the government and the people themselves, and sometimes the service is often less than satisfactory and not in accordance with the procedures that have been set.
4. The influences of frontier
American
the influences of the frontier to the development in America was very interesting . This is due to the American government gives the equal opportunities and obligations towards American peoples and to the frontier in America such as in sector law, social, economics, politics, education, health, etc. The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier ¬ a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile.
Indonesia
The border region has a strategic value in supporting the success of national development, Development of border regions is essentially an integral part of national development. The border region has a strategic value in supporting the success of national development. Socioeconomic disparities border areas with neighboring communities affect the character and lifestyle of local communities and have a negative impact border security and a sense of nationalism.
Indonesia lacks in terms of maintaining the richness of his own country, more interested in money. To restore the borders that have been taken, therefore we have to prepare a good infrastructure and facilities though cost is enormous, that the development of better and prosperous Indonesia.
5. A Nation of Conformists
American
Americans should be thankful they have one of the last functioning nation states. Because they’ve been so inept at exercising it, Europeans no longer believe in national sovereignty, whereas it would never occur to Americans not to. This profoundly different attitude to the nation state underpins in turn Euro-American attitudes to transnational institutions such as the U.N. But on this Thanksgiving the rest of the world ought to give thanks to American national sovereignty, too. When something terrible and destructive happens — a tsunami hits Indonesia, an earthquake devastates Pakistan — the U.S. can project itself anywhere on the planet within hours and start saving lives, setting up hospitals and restoring the water supply.
Indonesia
For Indonesia, a different culture that frontier bring usually first off filtered and if the effect is fix with the culture that Indonesian have it will be accept kindly. Preservation functions directed at the introduction and deepening of noble values that are universal culture, and a wealth of culture that is priceless, which is expected to grow and strengthen a sense of patriotism and national pride.
6. mobility
American
Belief in strong social and economic mobility that Americans can and do rise from humble origins to riches has been called a “civil religion”, “the bedrock upon which the American story has been anchored and part of the American identity, Socio-economic mobility in the United States refers to the movement of Americans from one social class or economic level to another, often by changing jobs or marrying. This “vertical” mobility can be the change in socioeconomic status between parents and children (“inter-generational”) or over the course of a lifetime (“intra-generational”). “intra-generational” is the change in class and/or income over a single life-time.
Indonesia
Currently Indonesia is the rising star among Southeast Asian countries. The sustainable growth and its.Last year is now summed up by many as year of the downfalls, many events having reshaped the face of the world
As a large archipelago state, movement of people across the country, historically, has always an important dimension of social formation in Indonesia. However mobility focuses on movement of people in the last four decades, In this case is concerned their attitude changes must be accompanied by shaking the soul. The concept of mobility is in practice be linked to one another and it is difficult to determine which as a consequence and cause.
7. humor
American
Humor usually concerns aspects of American culture, and depends on the historical and current development of the country’s culture. The extent to which an individual will personally find something humorous obviously depends on a host of absolute and relative variables, including, but not limited to geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, and context. People of different countries will therefore find different situations funny. Just as American culture has many aspects which differ from other nations. American humor might also be distinguished by its most common type of humor, for example, more slapstick and physical comedy. There is less emphasis on understatement, and so the humor tends to be more open, rather than satirizing the social system through exaggeration.
Indonesia
In the early era of Indonesia’s independence, humor talks a lot around household conflicts and the cultures, life within a particular culture or conflicts that arise due to differences in lifestyle due to cultural influences. Indonesian humor consists of funny story, funny pictures, funny text messages, funny puzzles, and jokes that make laugh out loud. On the other hand, we can watch comedy and joke film.
1. Materialism
America
Now a days, materialism became the lifestyle of Americans people. It has became a trend and develop in American society. They always pursue and purchase goods with the latest and most enermous with considerable cost, just to satisfy their desire to shop. Then after they got what they want, they will find other items for their found again and it continued all the time. This lifestyle certain require a large fee. So that American people has always worked hard to get a lot of money to satisfy their desire to shop in the best place. But the merialsim didn’t olny give good effect, but also give bad effect. This increase in American materialism, unfortunately, exists along with other less fashionable increases; teen suicide, depression, divorce, the disintegration of the family, bankruptcy, and despair. It does not appear that those living by the law of materialism are necessarily happy or fulfilled.
Indonesia
Same as American society, Indonesia also has a lifestyle of materialism. However, there is a difference value of materialism between American and Indonesian people. lifestyle of materialism is also developing in the middle of the Indonesian people. There are many people who routinely go to the mall just to shop goods to the latest and modern and also spent a lot of money in the best places for relax. But, this is not haapen to Indonesia people who really poor. They are very depressed with this condition because only rich people such as artists, entrepreneurs, public figure, etc who always spent a lot of money to fulfill their desire for shopping and buy a lot of the most luxury goods. Therefore materialism makes social gap in the middle of Indonesian people. Besides, The pursuit of happiness does not mean the pursuit of the most current technology or an upgraded vehicle.
2. The Ideal of Service
America
Service as an ideal has spread out into many branches of American life. More and more institutions of a community are expectedparticipate the needs of citizens, and to make possible a healthier, happier, richer life. Meanwhile service as commercial activity has leaped ahead since 1870. For example a daily diaper service for the new infant, a carwash or clipping the poodle, and yellow pages. But the accent on service suggest an attempt to blame the two conflict, the hardheaded drive for business and the soft religiously inspired urge us to serve others.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, service is also has spread out into many branches in daily life. Not only institutions of a community service but commercials service are also spread. But from my point of view service in America is more modern in Indonesia. We can see that America since 1870 the commercial service has already leaped. And the service in Indonesia, not all of intuitions are good at their service. That differs from in America that service makes possible a healthier, happier, richer life. In Indonesia the service is not a good as in America. Many intuitions in Indonesian charge a fee to service people whereas it should be free.
3. The Ideal of Service
Americans
Service as an ideal has spread out into many branches of American life. More and more the institutions of a community are expected to participate the needs of the citizen, and to make possible a healthier, happier, richer life. Meanwhile service as a commercial activity has leaped ahead. Whether you want a daily diaper service for the new infant, a carwash (many of them mechanized so as to be completed in ten or fifteen minutes) or a clipping for your poodle, you are sure to find it. The yellow pages in the back of every telephone book list hundreds of such offerings.
While the supermarkets have been moving in the direction of self-service in exchange for lower prices, smaller enterprise have sprung up to supply whom service to those who want it, especially to the many people who now live in rural or suburban areas. One of district is visited regularly by a grocer, a green grocer, several bakers, a dispenser of frozen foods and three ice cream man, not to mention the occasional salesman of brushes, vacuum cleaners, insurance, magazine or cars, and the absolutely indispensable country institution the rural leather carrier.
The accent on service suggests an attempt to blame the two conflict things forces in the national character—the hardheaded drive for business success and the soft religiously inspired urge us to serve others. As the recipient of such service, we intend find ourselves when think to patronize them all, for if they are talking the trouble to serve us it seems only fair that they should be helped to succeed.
Indonesians
Many expats enjoy a prosperous lifestyle while residing in Indonesia. Their companies take care of paying for their housing, transportation, utilities, medical insurance, and even household staff. In addition many receive incentive pay for living overseas and tax reduction benefits. Yet all around us, many Indonesians live in utter poverty, due to the lack of opportunities to improve their lives. We expats are where we are today because of the opportunities we have had access to and been able to take advantage of in our lives.
Recognizing this disparity … many expats, and their multinational employers, are heavily involved, either personally or financially, in many projects around Indonesia to provide life-changing opportunities to those in need. Time and time again we hear of expats who are “Giving back” … sharing some of the bounty that is the result of the many opportunities they were giving in life in order to give back to those Indonesians in need.
4. . MOBILITY
AMERICAN
A mobile society is an open society, where seamless access to diverse economic, social, and cultural marketplaces fosters the opportunities, competition, and choices that fuel the economy and enrich the daily lives of millions. Transportation investment choices contribute to such an open society by increasing access to new activity centers, reducing bottlenecks in existing facilities, and extending mobility to the least advantaged members of society. By most measures, the United States is the most mobile nation, accommodating over 4 trillion miles of passenger travel and 3.7 trillion ton-miles of freight in the late 1990s. A vast system of transportation infrastructure makes this possible: 4 million miles of road, 580,000 bridges, 350 commercial ports, 5,500 airports. Every day, the U.S. maintains, patrols, and moves goods the length of enough commercially navigable waterways, 25,000 miles if stretched end-to-end, to span the globe. The United States transportation systems are constantly in flux, adapting to the changing frontiers of the U.S. economy. Mobility can help cure isolation. All the disadvantaged groups experience a multifaceted isolation from American life. But this isolation is most severe, debilitating, and progressive for senior citizens. As the proportion of Americans who are elderly begins to increase sharply in about 2010, and as expected medical advances increase their longevity along with their capabilities, the senior population is expected to make new demands on the transportation infrastructure. They will prolong their involvement in the mainstream of society and, what is more, they will have the economic power and votes enforce their demands in the infrastructure.
INDONESIAN
The population of Indonesia for three decades, from 1971 to 2000 have rapidly grown from 119.3 million to 203.9 million. For three decades, the population of Indonesia mainly concentrated in Java, now comprises around 60 percent of the total population of Indonesia, decrease from 73.8 percent in 1971 to 60.8 percent in 2000. Apart from Jakarta and West Java, other provinces in Java have relatively low population growth, presumably indicating high rate of out-migration, especially from Central and East Java provinces. The movement of people from Java to the other islands most notably through emigration policy under the Dutch, and continue by the Indonesian government under transmigration policy. Apart from the result of emigration and transmigration policies, the Javanese being the largest ethnic group in Indonesia significantly the most mobile ethnic group. In 2000 the Javanese not only demographically dominant group in Java but also in provinces outside Java, such as Lampung, North Sumatra, East Kalimantan, Jambi and South Sumatra (Table 1.4 and Figure 1.4). Indonesia‟s national motto, unity in diversity, reflects the process of social transformation in the making of Indonesian nation
Titus (1978) show that development strategy and foreign economic activities play an important role in affecting interregional population movement in Indonesia. The most favorite of the foreign company investment are the extractive industries, such as: timber and oil industries, as well as assembling and construction industries, followed by commerce and services. Those kindof activities have attracted a great deal of foreign capital. The development of the extractive activities is almost exclusively limited to the islands outside Java, other activities mainly in the urban centers on Java. The capital city of Jakarta alone has attracted some fifty percent of all foreign investment excluding the extractive sectors. According to Titus, the highest mobility together with net in-migration is to be found in the economic boom provinces, of both the center type (Jakarta, North Sumatera) and the relatively developed periphery type (South Sumatera, Riau, East Kalimantan). The lowest mobility and a zero migration balance is to be found in the isolated and still largely self sufficient periphery type of province, i.e. East and West Nusa Tenggara. The highest mobility together with net out-migration appears in the highly integrated but stagnating peripheral provinces close to center groups (i.e. West Sumatera, Central Java and
Yogyakarta).
5. The influence of the frontier
America
The frontier experience, so strong in its impact, so harsh a teacher, brought new traits to the tore and frontiers fostered positive result too. It encouraged energetic activity and dignified labor with hand. The frontier has not disappeared with the spanning of the continent, or the end of homesteading.
Indonesia
Indonesian hasaccepted many influences of the frontier. For Indonesia, a different culture that frontier bring usually first off filtered and if the effect is fix with the culture that Indonesian have it will be accept kindly. For example, the Melayu music that is presented a slow or pop music flow is easier to be taken Indonesian than a rock or some hard music genre that mostly come from the culture of west nation.
6. The American Creed
America
An implicit faith in the rational, a need for moralistic rationalization, an optimistic conviction that rational efforts count, faith in the individual his rights, the cult of the common man, the high valuation put on change and progress, and on pleasure consciously pursued as good. So Americans played out the drama of redemption on a stage whose boards were nailed own by Calvinist morality. The temptation of the flesh they resisted by working harder, and thus work came to have a double value. No story is more typical of this religious attitude towards work.
Indonesia
Religion in Indonesia has an important role in people’s lives. This is stated in the Indonesian national ideology, Pancasila: “Almighty Deity”. A number of religions in Indonesia collective influence on politics, economics and culture. The government, however, officially only recognizes six religions, namely Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist and Confucian.
7. HUMOR
AMERICAN
The founders of modern American stand-up comedy include Jack Benny, Bob Hope, George Burns, Fred Allen, Milton Berle and Frank Fay all of whom came from vaudeville. They spoke directly to the audience as themselves, in front of the curtain, known as performing “in one”. Historically, Stand Up Comedy itself has been around in the 18th century in Europe and America. There comedian actor is commonly called the “stand up comic” or simply referred to as “comic”. The comic is usually given various humorous stories, short jokes or criticism in the form of satire to something that nature tends common with assorted servings of movement and style. You also probably know the famous Hollywood actors such as Woody Allen, Rowan Atkinson, Chris Rock, Will Ferrell and Jim Carrey ever wrestle in this field. The average of their Hollywood star began his career in the world’s first low tide Stand Up Comedy before known what it is today.
INDONESIAN
In Indonesia there are many traditional humor, such as:
– Slapstick Mataram for example, usually start the show with a monologue raises a comedian; namely Basiyo example, after ger-Geran between five to ten minutes, then the format of the group in action.
– Ketoprak performances. In ketoprak performances, especially in the segment of slapstick, a comedian usually opens communication with the audience for a moment and then followed by interaction with a comedian or other players.
– Art Ludruk. in the show ludruk; session Jula-July, featuring the single comedian besides singing Jula-July with hilarious poems are constantly updated, as well, slipping monologue funny material between utterance-utterance light.
– Puppet. Although it is not one hundred percent puppet on comedy. But when the clown appears, ki mastermind always display the comedy. Ki mastermind at that time was virtually act as befits a comic.
1. Success as a goal.
America
Success is highly desired and craved by everyone, because if we are successful people will not look down and think we underestimated because success is always considered and addressed even the benchmark one, and success more often in view of people with intellectual or possessions and money, but rich is not everything.
America is one of the strongest countries in the world with leading some aspects of the world such as economic, political, military, education, etc. besides have the major influence of development in the world, American people also have some characters that developed in the middle American people. With the diversity of culture, ethnic, religious, and language brought positive values to develop America became the strongest country in the world.
In America there are lots of successful people and successful, the success they achieve is the result of their own hard work, a lot of them are good men and women struggled and struggled to gain success and success. By the time they become adults and are ready to make a living or support themselves then the brand will work hard to find jobs that they need, in fact they are not shy and do not hesitate to look for rough work such as working in the household, or even work as a gardener or even a broom street they live wholeheartedly vigorously and diligently without any embarrassment.
Indonesia
Most Indonesians also highly value success. However, different from Americans, Indonesian patriarch (or feudalistic?) culture tend to discourage equal opportunity for every individual. Indonesians also prefer ‘harmony’ than competition. In addition, many Indonesian still believe that one’s future is determined by a power outside of oneself. No matter how hard someone works, there is no guarantee that he will succeed
This is obvious because kebudyaan in Indonesia is very strong that teaches about the destiny and fate that makes some people indosenia surrender or to surrender in the face of the good life in the world of work so that the lack of enthusiasm in pursuing a career, only a few people are successful because the success of self-their own, as many of them are less able and less confident.
2. Materialism
American
Now a days, materialism became the lifestyle of Americans people. It has became a trend and develop in American society. They always pursue and purchase goods with the latest and most enermous with considerable cost, just to satisfy their desire to shop. Then after they got what they want, they will find other items for their found again and it continued all the time. This lifestyle certain require a large fee. So that American people has always worked hard to get a lot of money to satisfy their desire to shop in the best place,
The pursuit of the American dream has become rather costly in that it is fraught with a large quantity of material possessions. The requirements to “keep up with the Joneses” are becoming more and more burdensome. Americans are made to feel that they absolutely must have certain things that had not even been invented just a few years ago. The increase in high tech, computerized, and digitized devices in the areas of electronics and household appliances has altered the landscape of the American home and family.
Americans will continue to subscribe to the pursuit of material goods, especially high tech devices for two basic reasons: the need for comfort and the need for entertainment. The deep, sometimes unspoken desire is to be coddled, catered to, and distracted. Embedded in this need for comfort and entertainment is the need for easy, quick access to information and resources
Indonesia
Same as American society, Indonesia also has a lifestyle of materialism. However, there is a difference value of materialism between American and Indonesian people. lifestyle of materialism is also developing in the middle of the Indonesian people.
Unlike the Americans, who need electronics for the job and career demands, while Indonesia’s own technology is needed for entertainment and pleasure, thus making the gap for those who do not have social.
3. The Ideal of Service
Americans
Americans have a great volunteer spirit. They always help people affected by natural disasters, one natural disaster tsunami in Aceh. Not a bit of assistance provided by them to the nation of Indonesia in the form of moral and material assistance. They spend a lot of assistance to help citizens of other countries who are in the disaster. America is also providing services to the offender is more than just help people leaving prison. It’s also a service to the community, and service to children and other family members to whom the perpetrator would return. American people have a sense to help each other. American government always concern to their citizens wherever they are lived around the world. American Government always defend its citizens either inside or outside the United States
American government is always concerned with the problems faced by its citizens, both issues in law, economics, education, health, etc. For example in education, the American government has always raise standards of education in America and every children can develop himself and his country. Thus every American citizen to help each other to develop their country, and the U.S. government also can provide the ideal of services to its citizens.
Indonesia
Compared with Indonesia, the Government of Indonesia has not been able to provide the ideal of service to its citizens. Because the character of Indonesian people who still want to enrich themselves without regard for others.
any services in Indonesia are overlooked because of his lack of attention from the government and the people themselves, and sometimes the service is often less than satisfactory and not in accordance with the procedures that have been set.
4. The influences of frontier
American
the influences of the frontier to the development in America was very interesting . This is due to the American government gives the equal opportunities and obligations towards American peoples and to the frontier in America such as in sector law, social, economics, politics, education, health, etc. The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier ¬ a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile.
Indonesia
The border region has a strategic value in supporting the success of national development, Development of border regions is essentially an integral part of national development. The border region has a strategic value in supporting the success of national development. Socioeconomic disparities border areas with neighboring communities affect the character and lifestyle of local communities and have a negative impact border security and a sense of nationalism.
Indonesia lacks in terms of maintaining the richness of his own country, more interested in money. To restore the borders that have been taken, therefore we have to prepare a good infrastructure and facilities though cost is enormous, that the development of better and prosperous Indonesia.
5. A Nation of Conformists
American
Americans should be thankful they have one of the last functioning nation states. Because they’ve been so inept at exercising it, Europeans no longer believe in national sovereignty, whereas it would never occur to Americans not to. This profoundly different attitude to the nation state underpins in turn Euro-American attitudes to transnational institutions such as the U.N. But on this Thanksgiving the rest of the world ought to give thanks to American national sovereignty, too. When something terrible and destructive happens — a tsunami hits Indonesia, an earthquake devastates Pakistan — the U.S. can project itself anywhere on the planet within hours and start saving lives, setting up hospitals and restoring the water supply.
Indonesia
For Indonesia, a different culture that frontier bring usually first off filtered and if the effect is fix with the culture that Indonesian have it will be accept kindly. Preservation functions directed at the introduction and deepening of noble values that are universal culture, and a wealth of culture that is priceless, which is expected to grow and strengthen a sense of patriotism and national pride.
6. mobility
American
Belief in strong social and economic mobility that Americans can and do rise from humble origins to riches has been called a “civil religion”, “the bedrock upon which the American story has been anchored and part of the American identity, Socio-economic mobility in the United States refers to the movement of Americans from one social class or economic level to another, often by changing jobs or marrying. This “vertical” mobility can be the change in socioeconomic status between parents and children (“inter-generational”) or over the course of a lifetime (“intra-generational”). “intra-generational” is the change in class and/or income over a single life-time.
Indonesia
Currently Indonesia is the rising star among Southeast Asian countries. The sustainable growth and its.Last year is now summed up by many as year of the downfalls, many events having reshaped the face of the world
As a large archipelago state, movement of people across the country, historically, has always an important dimension of social formation in Indonesia. However mobility focuses on movement of people in the last four decades, In this case is concerned their attitude changes must be accompanied by shaking the soul. The concept of mobility is in practice be linked to one another and it is difficult to determine which as a consequence and cause.
7. humor
American
Humor usually concerns aspects of American culture, and depends on the historical and current development of the country’s culture. The extent to which an individual will personally find something humorous obviously depends on a host of absolute and relative variables, including, but not limited to geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, and context. People of different countries will therefore find different situations funny. Just as American culture has many aspects which differ from other nations. American humor might also be distinguished by its most common type of humor, for example, more slapstick and physical comedy. There is less emphasis on understatement, and so the humor tends to be more open, rather than satirizing the social system through exaggeration.
Indonesia
In the early era of Indonesia’s independence, humor talks a lot around household conflicts and the cultures, life within a particular culture or conflicts that arise due to differences in lifestyle due to cultural influences. Indonesian humor consists of funny story, funny pictures, funny text messages, funny puzzles, and jokes that make laugh out loud. On the other hand, we can watch comedy and joke film,Because Indonesia is rich in culture.
1. Success as a Goal
American
Turned out to have been studied from the test results along that much difference between the success of the Americans with Indonesia. Success on American views of the level of success achieved when they are actively at work. In fact they were so in love with their respective jobs. If they do not get what they want even more active they are looking for according to their expectations. They have a key to success in this life or the way they are in order to a life that can bring a legacy to their children. the other hand they can split their time while relaxing to play, or at work. Success achieved by the Americans of their thinking visible seeking a position or positions within the community. Not only that, they were quite satisfied with the success they’ve achieved it but they want to continue to discover and create something new in a variety of disciplines. A fame is what makes the American people to be able to continue to build their own nation without a nation under the rule. The Americans menerpkan existing knowledge to influence other people to Country passions or become an example for other nations.
Indonesian
In contrast to the American people about the success achieved by the people of Indonesia. The natural beauty of nature and extent of the Indonesian people tend to allow a lot of Indonesian people lazy to look for a job or looking for money. But there are other factors that can lead people into a nation that Indonesia could be said idler or lagging is because there is a culture that can affect each other. Because too many cultures in Indonesia with 33 provinces, so the opportunity to be achieved by the people of Indonesia to less advanced in biological future in the present. They too live a relaxed and have a soul that felt quite satisfied in the competition so it makes also the Indonesian nation being left behind. Indonesia is still in occupation of other countries who unwittingly by the Indonesian people are naked eye but if we want to compete fairly with never feel satisfied to discover and create new things that we might be able to offer these products to the state other countries.
2. Materialism
American
Global demand for material handling products is projected to rise 6.5 percent per year through 2014 to approach $113 billion. Demand will benefit from recovery in the key US market, which will rebound from dismal levels in 2009. The US will be among the fastest growing markets and comprise over one-quarter of world growth through 2014. Despite a modest outlook in the shorter term, US demand for material handling products is expected to rise 8.2 percent per year through 2014. Gains will result from recovery in manufacturing output, which plummeted in 2009 due to the economic
recession. Advances will benefit from turnarounds in key markets such as the motor vehicle industry, where production is expected to nearly double by 2014. Demand growth in the Asia/Pacific region will also outpace the global average, increasing 7.0 percent per year through 2014. India and China will show the strongest growth among national markets, due to rising manufacturing output, which will require material handling equipment to facilitate distribution and production. China has grown
into a leading supplier of material handling products, taking advantage not only of its inexpensive labor pool, but also of favorable exchange rates, which have made pricing of Chinese goods especially competitive. China exports products to the US, Western Europe and throughout Asia. Durable goods producers market to grow the fastest Durable goods manufacturers accounted for nearly 40 percent of global material handling equipment demand in 2009. Growth over the forecast period will be the strongest of any market, due to rising production in key markets such as the motor vehicle industry. Demand from nondurable goods manufacturers will also rise through 2014, led by healthy growth in the chemical and the food and beverage markets. Advances in other markets, which include trade and distribution companies, will benefit from the increased importance of international trade throughout the manufacturing sector. Advanced/automated products to post best gains Demand for conventional material handling products — such as industrial trucks and lifts, conveyors, hoists and cranes — will benefit from recovery in developed nations, particularly the US.
However, advanced/automated material handling products such as robots, automated guided vehicles and software will post the best gains. These types of products can enhance the productivity of the material handling function, and are amenable to integration into larger-scale factory automation and automated warehouse-type environments.
Indonesian
In my country of origin where half of the population live in poverty and getting enough to eat is more important than anything else, intrinsic values deemed as conducive to elevating humanity seemed profound. Religion plays a significant role in every aspects of Indonesian life. The teachings of religion become inner substance-fostering system that prevents inclination towards materialism. Indonesians, especially Jakarta’s society however has undergone abrupt, layered changes and there is a struggle to find one’s place, to stake one’s claim as they are finding their feet with the impact of globalisation, advances in media and technology, and in coping with dynamic economic changes. As a whole, the greatest fracture is the tension between religious traditions and a social condition in which the superficial appearance becomes more important than the inner substance.
Studies suggest that people from less economically developed nations tend to emphasise on materialistic goals (of which brand consciousness being one of the characteristics) than those of economically developed nations. It holds true in Indonesia. Materialism is apparent among the expanding middle-class living in urban areas. As soon as people get a leg up, they start buying by labels and showing off their new wealth. Differ from West European countries, for instance, where average citizen is concerned, consumerism is relatively subdued, focused more on value, functionality or practicality.
Cultural and historical differences do construct different tendencies towards materialism. A study by the Consumer Research Association comparing consumer’s level of materialism between East Asians (collectivistic society) and Americans (individualistic society) has found that while consumers in both cultures place equivalent levels of importance on owning “nice” objects, East Asians tend to place a relatively high degree of importance on other people’s perceptions (public-self reflection) while their American counterparts place high degree of importance on private-self (private-self reflection). The corresponding public self focuses on how one is viewed by others (i.e. peers, family, friends etc), guided not by self-knowledge but rather self-in-relation to specific others. The corresponding private self refers to one’s feelings, motivations, and thoughts, a behaviour of which is guided bypreferences, personal values and convictions. The study also reveals that East Asian consumers, in particular, appear to have an attraction for high image, high status products such as Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc.
Understanding Maslow’s hierarchical needs may provide further insight into materialism. Maslow theory saw people needs in a hierarchy comprising five levels with the most basic being physiological needs (bottom level) followed in hierarchical order by the needs for safety, love/belonging, esteem and at the top, self-actualisation. It suggests that the most basic level of needs must be met before the individual will strongly desire (or focus motivation upon) the higher level needs. Inglehart defines Maslow’s lower order needs as materialist values and the higher order needs as post-materialist values. The implication is that unfulfillment of the lower level needs tends to manifest in obsession with materials to seek psychological well-being. Once the individuals fulfil their lower level needs will they be gradually shifting their priority to non-material goods (post-materials). Quoted from Ahuvia and Wong (1995), Inglehart claims that the values orientation becomes ingrained through one’s subjective experience of economic (in) security during one’s formative years. Thus the more economically secure one felt while growing up, the more prone toward post-materialist values one will be.
3. The Ideal of Service
Americans
After nearly a decade out of circulation, the notion that millions of American youth should be induced, and perhaps even required, to perform some form of public service is hard currency again.
To be sure, enthusiasm born of idealism has never died. The Peace Corps may no longer hold its Kennedy-era mystique, but it still gets 300,000 inquiries a year. When it was announced in July that the Peace Corps would begin operating in Hungary, more than 2,000 people telephoned for information about five dozen slots.
But now, driven by political calculations, the disintegration of neighborhoods and, the sponsors of the new measures say, the idea that young people could learn valuable lessons while serving their country, national service again seems to be one of those ideas whose time, when it comes in Washington, comes quickly.
There is, however, a largely new dimension to many of the new proposals for national service. Perhaps it is to be expected in this bastion of capitalism, but to many it nonetheless jars: in many cases, the new volunteer is to be paid.
Indonesian
Indonesia has a wide range of services that can be provided by the government to the people. From the start of health care, cost of living allowances, school allowances and facilities of life in this world. The government has given the public policy such as health eg, Social Security, Askes, etc. One of which is health, over the past decade, Indonesia has witnessed an explosion of local health insurance programs, or Jamkesda (Jaminan Kesehatan Daerah). The nature and scope of these schemes vary greatly from region to region, but most involve a district or provincial government subsidising basic medical services for residents. Sometimes the services are provided free to all residents, more commonly just for the poorest. While accurate data is hard to obtain, the World Bank recently estimated a rise from some 60 district insurance schemes in 2008 to over 300 in 2010. This means that a majority of Indonesia’s districts have such local schemes in operation, and the number keeps growing. What accounts for this sudden spike over such short period?
The surge in local healthcare programs is directly related to democratisation and local electoral politics. Populist campaigns have become a prominent feature of Indonesia’s regional elections, as candidates promise free social services, like healthcare or education, in a bid to appeal to voters. The new political salience of healthcare at the local level (and at the national level too) amounts to a near revolution in the way politicians engage with their electorates.
Since the fall of the Suharto regime in 1998, people in Indonesia have become used to accounts of oligarchic politicians who manipulate legal processes and use the power of money to gain power at the local level. The spread of local healthcare schemes shows there is more to the story. Politicians are realising that their electorates want better social welfare and public services, and many are trying to respond. However, the impact so far on healthcare standards and indicators has, sadly, been far from revolutionary.
4. Mobility
American
According to the 2007 “American Dream Report” study, “by some measurements”—relative mobility between generations — “we are actually a less mobile society than many other nations, including Canada, France, Germany and most Scandinavian countries. This challenges the notion of America as the land of opportunity.”
Another 2007 study (“Economic Mobility Project: Across Generations”) found significant upward “absolute” mobility from the late 1960s to 2007, with two thirds of those who were children in 1968 reporting more household income than their parents (although most of this growth in total family income can be attributed to the increasing number of women who work since male earnings have stayed relatively stable throughout this time).
However, in terms of relative mobility it stated: “contrary to American beliefs about equality of opportunity, a child’s economic position is heavily influenced by that of his or her parents.” 42% of children born to parents in the bottom fifth of the income distribution (“quintile”) remain in the bottom, while 39% born to parents in the top fifth remain at the top. Only half of the generation studied exceeded their parents economic standing by moving up one or more quintiles. Moving between quintiles is more frequent in the middle quintiles (2-4) than in the lowest and highest quintiles. Of those in one of the quintiles 2-4 in 1996, approximately 35% stayed in the same quintile; and approximately 22% went up one quintile or down one quintile (moves of more than one quintile are rarer). 39% of those who were born into the top quintile as children in 1968 are likely to stay there, and 23% end up in the fourth quintile. Children previously from lower-income families had only a 1% chance of having an income that ranks in the top 5%. On the other hand, the children of wealthy families have a 22% chance of reaching the top 5%.
Indonesian
Some aspects of mobility behavior were examined within a group of Indonesian village areas. Specifically, the objectives were to investigate for samples of residents the characteristics and locations of extra village employment; the nature of select short, repetitive trip activities with respect to frequency, distance, and mode of travel; and the characteristics of transport ownership and usage in the mobility behavior. The characteristics of contact and movement behavior were compared between a group of villages located on the fringe of large urban areas and another more rural and remote group of villages. Movement behavior was examined in conjunction with and as a possible impact of improved and new rural feeder road construction under the Cash Incentive Rural Works Program of the Indonesia government. The data were obtained from interviews at households in the immediate hinterlands of the feeder road improvements. The selected households were all located within 3 kilometers of the road projects, for few residences were found beyond this distance in the various areas. Proximity to an urban area did not greatly influence the total number of individuals who had obtained outside employment, for the totals were quite similar. And there was no evidence to support the idea that the kotamadya with the largest population in the urban fringe groups had drawn more rural individuals in search of employment opportunities than those kotamadya with smaller proportions. The data did show that many more individuals in the urban fringe groups tended to seek employment either in the nearest kotamadya or other large cities. Nearly 50% in the urban fringe groups working outside found employment in various kotamadya whereas, on the average, only 25% in the more remote, rural groups did so. In general, the information gathered reveals that extravillage employment is quite low in these very poor areas and that, rather than size of city, the information about those opportunities in connection with location of opportunities is important. Proximity to the city may have an influence upon the distribution of occupations among those who have gained outside employment. Improved accessibility had an effect on employment search, and the difference of the effect between the urban fringe groups and remote rural groups was significant. 5 times as many respondents in the urban fringe groups claimed that network and related transport service improvements were influential in the search for employment. Despite upgraded road structures, areas may not enjoy truly effective and convenient transport services. Commuting was more important in the near urban samples than in those that were more remote. A clear impact of the upgraded road networks was the attraction of scheduled minivan (oplet) transport services and the greater ownership of bicycles. In general, the impact of the upgrading combined with new services was greater in the near urban samples.
5.
1. Materialism
America
In America, the gain of money is important as the clearest proof of success, though there are other proofs, prominence, public notice, good works, and fame. But the retention of money is not important at all. Indeed, it may be frowned upon if it keeps the owner from living well. To sum up, materialism that strikes a visitor to America is not that of loving and hoarding wealth it is a love making and consuming wealth. Moreover American has been blessed with a rich supply of raw materials and American have the high level of production that lead to high level of material comfort and mighty fond of having things that are good.
Indonesia
Money is also important for Indonesian and it is also one of proof of success. Most Indonesians believe that success means having a lot of money. Indonesian assumes that retention of money is important. Nowadaysmany Indonesians who are rich invest their wealth on property or other business. Furthermore Indonesian has been also blessed with a rich supply of raw material. But Indonesian does not have high level production as American does. American produces the product and leads to high level of material. On the other hand Indonesian imports many products from other country. Because many Indonesians assume that the products import is better than the local ones.
2. The Ideal of Service
America
Service as an ideal has spread out into many branches of American life. More and more institutions of a community are expectedparticipate the needs of citizens, and to make possible a healthier, happier, richer life. Meanwhile service as commercial activity has leaped ahead since 1870. For example a daily diaper service for the new infant, a carwash or clipping the poodle, and yellow pages. But the accent on service suggest an attempt to blame the two conflict, the hardheaded drive for business and the soft religiously inspired urge us to serve others.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, service is also has spread out into many branches in daily life. Not only institutions of a community service but commercials service are also spread. But from my point of view service in America is more modern in Indonesia. We can see that America since 1870 the commercial service has already leaped. And the service in Indonesia, not all of intuitions are good at their service. That differs from in America that service makes possible a healthier, happier, richer life. In Indonesia the service is not a good as in America. Many intuitions in Indonesian charge a fee to service people whereas it should be free.
3. A nation of conformist
America
One aspects of American life most visitors agree on is its conformity. Because they had to establish traditions, because they had to absorb millions of people from diverse culture, Americans tended to insist upon conformity in fundamentals. The average of Americans respect work and is quite willing to work with theirs own hands. Americans do not want respect they want to be liked.
Indonesia
There are many cultures in Indonesia and it can be called as conformity because Indonesian had to establish many different traditions. But in Indonesian the society is not as individual as in America. Indonesians do not like to look diverge with the other because a different attitude or appearance that they have will tend to make the other people is thing bad even looks like walked away from them. That is sometimes that makes any different in Indonesia seems like mix with one color that closed by a fear to be something different from the other people in Indonesia.
4. Mobility
America
For the country like America that has a value of equality, a mobility system is widely open. Therefore, everyone in America is deserved to be anything that he wants without see from what kind of family or where he is come from. If they have a desire to be something there is no people or rules that will hold them to be a figure that they want. It is because the equality values that always live in America that makes every people can do a social mobility if they want to do it. That`s all just because an American is always have a big desire as his effort and they have an opportunity to make they dream come true.
Indonesia
The social mobility that happened in Indonesia is not as same as in the America. A mobility system in Indonesia tends to closing move. If there in America have a equal chance to make and get a success, in Indonesia that system is seems hard to do. Since in Indonesia looks like have a mark that who has a bigger support like money is have more chance to get through. For instance, some poverty that wants to make their life better is difficult to make it because even they have a son that had a more ability but they don`t even have money to develop his ability like go to school there is almost none opportunity to make a social mobility in their family. Compared with a family that have an enough in economy will always able to have an opportunity to make their son get in school to build up their mind even until in college class to become a great success man someday.
5. The influence of the frontier
America
The frontier experience, so strong in its impact, so harsh a teacher, brought new traits to the tore and frontiers fostered positive result too. It encouraged energetic activity and dignified labor with hand. The frontier has not disappeared with the spanning of the continent, or the end of homesteading.
Indonesia
Indonesian hasaccepted many influences of the frontier. For Indonesia, a different culture that frontier bring usually first off filtered and if the effect is fix with the culture that Indonesian have it will be accept kindly. For example, the Melayu music that is presented a slow or pop music flow is easier to be taken Indonesian than a rock or some hard music genre that mostly come from the culture of west nation.
6. The American Creed
America
An implicit faith in the rational, a need for moralistic rationalization, an optimistic conviction that rational efforts count, faith in the individual his rights, the cult of the common man, the high valuation put on change and progress, and on pleasure consciously pursued as good. So Americans played out the drama of redemption on a stage whose boards were nailed own by Calvinist morality. The temptation of the flesh they resisted by working harder, and thus work came to have a double value. No story is more typical of this religious attitude towards work.
Indonesia
The weakness of Indonesia leadership is basically rooted in his ambiguity and indecisiveness in controlling the militant Islamists. The effects of president weakness are far reaching. The central and local authorities have no clear guidance from the president on the protection of religious freedom and the management of religiously based conflicts.
7. Humor
America
Americans humor, in short, confirms the importance of mating and the family, the high status of women and children, the pace tension of life, and above all the love of humor itself as an approach to life more to be prized than riches, a gift to be cherished and applauded. Many TV shows, comics, and other entertainment are about humor. For humor is regarded as an essential part of the American ways. It helps to equalize, and we believe in equality. It is often a symbol of freedom.
Indonesia
In Indonesian humor also become a part of daily life. Likewise in America, in Indonesia there are many TV shows, comics, and other entertainment are about humor. Because humor can make people’s mood better. But the humor between American and Indonesian are different, what American thinks funny can not be funny for Indonesian, vice versa. Moreover both in Indonesia and America make a joke about the minister. But American make it more free than Indonesian.
1. Materialism in America
Materialism, like capitalism, is a defining factor of the American way of life. As with all things, materialism has its good and bad points. It is a trend that paints the American picture. It gives a perception of wealth and prosperity. However, it is commonly a shallow depiction of reality. The possession of things does not equate to financially stability. Regardless of how it is viewed, it defines us, motivates us, and moves our economy more than any other custom.
The American economy is fed by our materialistic desires. Even during the tough financial struggles of a recession, many Americans continue to purchase that which is bigger and better. America is the top consumer of global products and resources. This local and global buying obsession may be one of the pillars holding the economy out of a depression. Although the economy can benefit from materialism, it also weakens overall financial stability of the individuals that fall prey to it.
Materialism in America pushes and pulls at most of us. It pushes us to work harder and achieve more. However, the achievements are thin and meaningless when compared to the great accomplishments life has to offer. Getting married and starting a family are two major life changes that many put on hold because the situation is not perfect. Owning a home was often a goal for young couples to achieve before having children. The increasing power of materialism has taken that simple plan and magnified it. Now that same young couple will keep waiting until they have the right house in a prestigious neighborhood. Those points in life that give it true meaning are held back by the desire to be measured against a ruler that is constantly changing.
Americans are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The fullness of the American dream includes the belief that we all have these rights and should never be held back from achieving them. The pursuit of happiness does not mean the pursuit of the most current technology or an upgraded vehicle. It was the right to achieve the most basic and simple desires, regardless of where you stood in the social pecking order. However, materialism has changed that. It has led us backwards on the path the great leaders of our country forged.
Materialism in Indonesia
The Asian economic crisis that began in Thailand in mid-1997 precipitated a chain of events that eventually led to the downfall of Indonesia’s Soeharto — one of the last of the great Cold-War-era dictators. The end of Soeharto’s 32-year rule in 1998 signalled the close of a major chapter in the recent history of Indonesia, as the framework for organising economic and political power that he had carefully crafted proved unsustainable in his absence. The heavily controlled state corporatist system soon unravelled, as the once powerful business conglomerates that had prospered also crashed under the weight of payments on gargantuan loans. It is not yet dear whether it is possible for some of these conglomerates to launch a successful comeback on the basis of new alliances and arrangements, as Indonesia slowly, and painfully, attempts to emerge from crisis. The country’s existing political and economic system is being contested from various quarters, although the salient social forces involved are largely confined to those cultivated under Soeharto’s New Order, and therefore exclude those, like labour and the peasantry, which were already marginalised.
Although the ethical judgment of consumers in the United States and other industrialized countries has received considerable attention, consumer ethics in Asian-market settings have seldom been explored. The purchase and making of counterfeit products are considered common, but disreputable, attributes of Southeast Asian consumers. According to the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indonesia ranks third among the leading countries of counterfeit items in Asia. Retail revenue losses attributed to counterfeiting amounted to US $183 million in 2004. Therefore, elucidating the ethical perspectives of Indonesian consumers is an effective means of clarifying an important cultural influence on consumer behavior. This exploratory study of 230 Indonesians has many meaningful findings. First, certain personal attitudes apparently affect the ethical judgments of Indonesian consumers. Second, Indonesian consumers who exhibited high ethical concern over actively benefiting from illegal actions had high levels of materialism and idealism, as well as low levels of relativism. Third, materialism, idealism, and relativism significantly influenced whether benefits were created from actively engaging in some questionable activities (DELEGAL). Analytical results indicated that Indonesians with high materialism and relativism were more likely to engage in actions that were questionable but legal. Finally, consumer ethics were compared by applying demographic variables such as gender, age, education, religion, and occupation, indicating that all variables significantly varied except for religion.
2. The Ideal of Service
Americans
Service as an ideal has spread out into many branches of American life. More and more the institutions of a community are expected to participate the needs of the citizen, and to make possible a healthier, happier, richer life. Meanwhile service as a commercial activity has leaped ahead. Since 1870 the experienced labor force engaged in production of services has risen from twenty-five percent to fifty-three percent. Whether you want a daily diaper service for the new infant, a carwash (many of them mechanized so as to be completed in ten or fifteen minutes) or a clipping for your poodle, you are sure to find it. The yellow pages in the back of every telephone book list hundreds of such offerings.
While the supermarkets have been moving in the direction of self-service in exchange for lower prices, smaller enterprise have sprung up to supply whom service to those who want it, especially to the many people who now live in rural or suburban areas. Our country district is visited regularly by a grocer, a green grocer, several bakers, a dispenser of frozen foods and three ice cream man, not to mention the occasional salesman of brushes, vacuum cleaners, insurance, magazine or cars, and the absolutely indispensable country institution the rural leather carrier.
Indonesians
The idea of “mutual assistance” (gotongroyong) in Indonesia has been the basis for political discourse concerning the nature of authority, the characteristics of village society, and the legitimacy of demands for labor by the state. This article traces the way in which both changing political ideologies and state-village relations have been mediated by the term mutual assistance, and suggests that its multiple meanings have been central to its semantic, political, and economic roles. Local interpretations of national doctrine and reactions to state policy are examined in two cases: East Java and Gayo (Aceh). The wide variety of local strategies is perceived as depending on preexisting political traditions and power relations vis-à-vis the state.
3. A Nation of Conformists
AMERICA
Lived in a time when consumer values dominated the American economy and culture. The “good life” was defined in economic terms and the dynamic economy provided more leisure and income. Above all, Americans were confident the good life was permanent and they enjoyed flashy cars, televisions, and an openness about sex. In some ways mass marketing and consumerism brought about a material conformity. In social areas, like religion and gender roles, conformity seemed to be the norm. However, America was still made up of dissimilar people. While some celebrated conformity, others reveled in unconformity. In the prosperous 1950s Americans demanded less of their government. They looked to Washington, and the president, for reassurance rather than bold action. Dwight D. Eisenhower dominated the decade. He was a comfortable moderate leader well suited to the times. The “Modern Republicans” appealed to a prosperous electorate but Eisenhower’s anticommunist foreign policy was not bland. Socially Americans were challenged by a rebellious youth culture, the alienated Beat movement, and a divisive civil rights struggle. What seemed so homogenous and prosperous and secure was in reality none of those things.
INDONESIA
Indonesian Culture – Key Concepts and Values
Communication Style- Indonesians tend to communicate in a subdued and indirect manner. They do not always say exactly what they mean. Indonesians speak in a subtle tone and therefore it is up to the listener to pick up on communication subtleties by paying attention to body language and gestures. Indonesians are polite and diplomatic in their speech and will make great efforts not to offend others. Indonesians will do anything to save face even if it means avoiding confrontation or telling others what they want to hear rather than dealing with immediate issues. Time- Time in Indonesia is approached in a very relaxed and flexible manner. Indonesians do not rush through business negotiations and often do not take the time to plan everything in great detail. Punctuality is not always observed, as Indonesians do not like to feel hurried and do not have the western sense of urgency. The Indonesian attitude towards time is reflected in that, to them, time is not money. They may show less interest in profit or material success but rather building relationships. Conformity- Indonesia is a collectivist society that places higher importance on the group than the individual. Your Indonesian counterparts will always place family and community concerns over that of the business or individuals. Religion – Indonesia currently is the world’s largest Islamic nation Muslims pray five times a day and in some workplaces in Indonesia there are separate rooms for daily prayers. There are however varying degrees to which Islam influences Indonesian business culture, but it is essential to remember its influence when working with Indonesian counterparts. Ramadan is a major Islamic tradition that includes fasting for an entire month. Although foreigners are not required to fast, it is considered impolite to eat or drink in front of others during this time.
4. MOBILITY
AMERICAN
A mobile society is an open society, where seamless access to diverse economic, social, and cultural marketplaces fosters the opportunities, competition, and choices that fuel the economy and enrich the daily lives of millions. Transportation investment choices contribute to such an open society by increasing access to new activity centers, reducing bottlenecks in existing facilities, and extending mobility to the least advantaged members of society. By most measures, the United States is the most mobile nation, accommodating over 4 trillion miles of passenger travel and 3.7 trillion ton-miles of freight in the late 1990s. A vast system of transportation infrastructure makes this possible: 4 million miles of road, 580,000 bridges, 350 commercial ports, 5,500 airports. Every day, the U.S. maintains, patrols, and moves goods the length of enough commercially navigable waterways, 25,000 miles if stretched end-to-end, to span the globe. The United States transportation systems are constantly in flux, adapting to the changing frontiers of the U.S. economy. Mobility can help cure isolation. All the disadvantaged groups experience a multifaceted isolation from American life. But this isolation is most severe, debilitating, and progressive for senior citizens. As the proportion of Americans who are elderly begins to increase sharply in about 2010, and as expected medical advances increase their longevity along with their capabilities, the senior population is expected to make new demands on the transportation infrastructure. They will prolong their involvement in the mainstream of society and, what is more, they will have the economic power and votes enforce their demands in the infrastructure.
INDONESIAN
The population of Indonesia for three decades, from 1971 to 2000 have rapidly grown from 119.3 million to 203.9 million. For three decades, the population of Indonesia mainly concentrated in Java, now comprises around 60 percent of the total population of Indonesia, decrease from 73.8 percent in 1971 to 60.8 percent in 2000. Apart from Jakarta and West Java, other provinces in Java have relatively low population growth, presumably indicating high rate of out-migration, especially from Central and East Java provinces. The movement of people from Java to the other islands most notably through emigration policy under the Dutch, and continue by the Indonesian government under transmigration policy. Apart from the result of emigration and transmigration policies, the Javanese being the largest ethnic group in Indonesia significantly the most mobile ethnic group. In 2000 the Javanese not only demographically dominant group in Java but also in provinces outside Java, such as Lampung, North Sumatra, East Kalimantan, Jambi and South Sumatra (Table 1.4 and Figure 1.4). Indonesia‟s national motto, unity in diversity, reflects the process of social transformation in the making of Indonesian nation
Titus (1978) show that development strategy and foreign economic activities play an important role in affecting interregional population movement in Indonesia. The most favorite of the foreign company investment are the extractive industries, such as: timber and oil industries, as well as assembling and construction industries, followed by commerce and services. Those kindof activities have attracted a great deal of foreign capital. The development of the extractive activities is almost exclusively limited to the islands outside Java, other activities mainly in the urban centers on Java. The capital city of Jakarta alone has attracted some fifty percent of all foreign investment excluding the extractive sectors. According to Titus, the highest mobility together with net in-migration is to be found in the economic boom provinces, of both the center type (Jakarta, North Sumatera) and the relatively developed periphery type (South Sumatera, Riau, East Kalimantan). The lowest mobility and a zero migration balance is to be found in the isolated and still largely self sufficient periphery type of province, i.e. East and West Nusa Tenggara. The highest mobility together with net out-migration appears in the highly integrated but stagnating peripheral provinces close to center groups (i.e. West Sumatera, Central Java and
Yogyakarta).
5. The Influence of the Frontier
AMERICAN
American social development has been continually beginning over again on the frontier. This perennial rebirth, this fluidity of American life, this expansion westward with its new opportunities, its continuous touch with the simplicity of primitive society, furnish the forces dominating American character. The true point of view in the history of this nation is not the Atlantic coast, it is the Great West. Even the slavery struggle, which is made so exclusive an object of attention by writers like Professor von Holst, occupies its important place in American history because of its relation to westward expansion.Map showing the position of the center of population at the close of each decade from 1790 to 1890, in Gannett, Statistical Atlas of the United States, based upon the results of the eleventh census, 1898In this advance, the frontier is the outer edge of the wave the meeting point between savagery and civilization. Much has been written about the frontier from the point of view of border warfare and the chase, but as a field for the serious study of the economist and the historian it has been neglected. The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile. The term is an elastic one, and for our purposes does not need sharp definition.
INDONESIAN
Population growth
programs, economic development, the development of forestry and pulp/paper industry, and the impacts of decentralization as mentioned above. A second wave of the growth manifests itself since the start of the reform era of 1998, when spontaneous migration contributed to increase the total number of population. The freedom of getting new lands was spreading across the country, and was no exception to the rule. Next to land availability, acceleration of economic development in the region is the main factor of attraction for this type of migration.
The impacts of decentralization on the district’s economy Prior to the decentralization process, the fiscal system during the New Order period was much more centralized (Resosudarmo et al 2006), because the larger part of the revenues of provincial and district governments was re-distributed from the center in the form of loans and grants (Devas 1989 in Resosudarmo et al 2006). Some major resources, such as: oil, liquid natural gas and forests were mostly managed under responsibility of the central government, including the issuing of permits and the collection of taxes. The district was only allowed to gain revenues Transmigration program. The subsequent reform era and the decentralization law, however, offered more room for finding additional income sources for the local governments, in particular in resource-rich regions. The decentralization has enormously expanded the types and volumes of the revenues from natural resources, including the forestry and mining sectors. Correspondingly, most revenue shares at the district level have increased as well and have increased the total district’s incomes. The data from local government shows that between 1997 and 2007 the district revenue has increased from IDR 43.7 billion to 1865.1 billions. From this income sources, theshared taxes in natural resources contribute the biggest portion with around 25% of the total income. This demonstrates also the district’s dependency on natural resource exploitation in order to support the district’s economy.
6. The American Creed
America
An implicit faith in the rational, a need for moralistic rationalization, an optimistic conviction that rational efforts count, faith in the individual his rights, the cult of the common man, the high valuation put on change and progress, and on pleasure consciously pursued as good. So Americans played out the drama of redemption on a stage whose boards were nailed own by Calvinist morality. The temptation of the flesh they resisted by working harder, and thus work came to have a double value. No story is more typical of this religious attitude towards work.
Indonesia
Religion in Indonesia has an important role in people’s lives. This is stated in the Indonesian national ideology, Pancasila: “Almighty Deity”. A number of religions in Indonesia collective influence on politics, economics and culture. The government, however, officially only recognizes six religions, namely Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist and Confucian.
Humor
America
Americans humor, in short, confirms the importance of mating and the family, the high status of women and children, the pace tension of life, and above all the love of humor itself as an approach to life more to be prized than riches, a gift to be cherished and applauded. Many TV shows, comics, and other entertainment are about humor. For humor is regarded as an essential part of the American ways. It helps to equalize, and we believe in equality. It is often a symbol of freedom.
Indonesia
In Indonesian humor also become a part of daily life. Likewise in America, in Indonesia there are many TV shows, comics, and other entertainment are about humor. Because humor can make people’s mood better. But the humor between American and Indonesian are different, what American thinks funny can not be funny for Indonesian, vice versa. Moreover both in Indonesia and America make a joke about the minister. But American make it more free than Indonesian.
Linda Nurmala
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2. materialism
American
If we were in America, we will always see Americans always eat at restaurants or buying jewelry or anything that interesting for themselves and also went to the malls to shop, that’s the way of life of the American people who are always stylish living luxury and always materialism, because most Americans are rich and also the American people are never satisfied with what they’ve got or they buy, the American people are very materialism in the shop, but it was worth the hard work the results they have done in in their respective jobs, the American people have never thought about the price of something they want. That is why the American people are very materialism in their lives.
Indonesia
Indonesian people no different than Americans are always very materialism lifestyle, as always go to restaurants, buy jewelry, buy anything that they want, and also go to any mall to memghabiskan lot of money without thinking about the sheer lust of money have each brand. But there are also people who are not Indonesian materialism, as people are still thinking about their future each and also always thinking of saving for the future or those without a waste of money, and also use the money as needed without wasting the money they have respectively each.
3. The Ideal of Service
American
America is not only an incredible country in the eyes of the world, but the U.S. government is also very concerned with all Americans, not just every other country but America was not immune from the American government, although Americans are very cruel in the world but the U.S. government is very concerned with sesame man, do not forget the American people or happy to see others who are experiencing any issues, it is evident because when a country getting disaster, the U.S. government swiftly take action directly against the state aid that experienced the disaster. Essentially the U.S. government still cares and still help the State get the disaster and also not arrogant american despite an extraordinary country.
Indonesia
Always we compare Indonesia with American, Indonesian government is not the same as the American, Indonesian government sometimes ignores or assist States who experience a disaster, although sometimes the Indonesian government to help the State get a disaster but sometimes wonder whether Indonesia aid channeled and given to the State who experience such disasters come or sent to the country experienced the disaster, the minimum sample Indonesian government is not considering any need for the citizens of Indonesia are currently a lot of help from my Indonesian governance could help thinking that Indonesia was not given or can be sent by the government on corruption Indoneisa to think about themselves and also for their own families, while Indonesia a country that cares about each other, but the Indonesian government hurts really think of myself without thinking of every citizen who needs rock Indonesia Indonesian government.
4. A Nation of Conformists
American
Compliance in a country is in need of obedience and discipline in the set in a country, such compliance has been owned by the state and by the American people because the American people are very demonstrate compliance with the Americans in America, with the compliance adopted by the American it would be a good result in discipline, obedience will also be there, as well as the discipline for compliance will result in the development of the American state in the country, and will also be better. Examples are: obedience to traffic signs, compliance with the law, and others.
Indonesia
If we compare it with Indonesia, one of which is difficult to do by the Indonesian people is adherence to his own country, a lot of people who really did not comply with the Indonesian anything for his own country, for example, are: lack obey traffic signs are there, do not comply applicable laws, does not comply with the constitution, etc., cause it does not demonstrate compliance with Indonesian people prevailing in their own country, whereas the adherence to whatever will make Indonesia better, nice, neat, orderly, and well disciplined in demonstrate compliance with applicable in Indonesia.
5. The Influence of the Frontier
American
Often we hear american full influence of the border because the border areas are very broad and united in interest by people who menginkan American frontier, everyone wants the border and because it will impact the border carrying a tremendous impact on American colors, Americans often make an issue about the impact of the border, the border issue Americans are always competing for the desired area by every American citizen, the impact will extend the influence of border issues and also make others menginkan border with fighting over the way or what action just to get in the border area have united. The influence of the border will cause tremendous conflict and will influence people to compete unfairly, sometimes will get casualties in the border effect.
Indonesia
If we compare with Indonesia is very much different from the American one, sometimes the influence of the border in Indonesia is not as difficult as American, Indonesia is not too concerned about the effect if the Indonesia border because the border dispute should not take much victim, if the Indonesian people do not get better looking the frontier border others to no casualties, but the only people who complicate and expand the influence of the border problem, but the way he thinks will sound better yield compared to the border dispute should get a lot of victims that should not happen, because people love peace love Indonesia in Indonesia everyone.
6. The American Creed
American
As we know, America is a country that is growing in any case, such as: economic, political, military, education, culture, and religion, not only that America has embraced the very confidence of Americans who promote America in the eyes of the world. The belief that they hug and they have ie: from matters of religion, in the U.S. is very strong in his religion for their beliefs, most average Americans embraced religion as Christianity, Islam, and others, but not in America offend or insult other religions, which is important not insult one another both Christianity and Islam as well as the others. That is one side of the trust in the trust or in the arms of the Americans, and also very respectful of other religions are embraced by other Americans.
Indonesia
It would be easier to compare the trust between the American people or the American people with Indonesia by looking at the difference in a very menonojol, as a very strong American belief in the embrace of the religious, Indonesia also has the same beliefs stand with America, for example, the same as in America faith, Indonesia is also very strong in religious beliefs believed by people in Indonesia, but the comparison is the Indonesian people still see the differences between one religion and another, like the religion of Islam are still concerned about the difference between religion, very strange if we see the small matter, should religious differences should not be made in big trouble in life, should be a solid wall and strong in religious differences, with the differences and respect other religions will unite the difference and it will be wonderful sense of difference .
7. Joke
American
Humorous is nature to entertain or make people laugh, and also to make any atmosphere to be pleasant. As we know, America is a very advanced country in the world, as well as we know the American people are also hardworking, sometimes humor Americans have properties that would make them not be stressed hard work, nature sometimes humor to the American people always issued to create a comfortable atmosphere, nature too humorous for the American people to make friends or family to be comforted, humorous attitude must be owned by the American people to keep it fresh and not become saturated to the lives of those ongoing without any entertainment or humor , but not as often as humorous nature issued by the American people, only for certain circumstances humorous nature issued by the American people.
Indonesia
If we compare this with the Indonesian people, to the humorous nature of Indonesia is similar to the American people but the Indonesian people are very much the nature of humor in comparison with Americans, Indonesian people are very often exclude properties humor to entertain, create a comfortable atmosphere, and make people laugh, because the Indonesian people love to make people happy and laugh. That is why the Indonesian people mostly funny and be entertained by the humorous way Indonesia. So many people become entertainers Indonesian people. The nature is very humorous in Indonesia used to relieve stress for everyone or for every who has the humorous nature.
The conclusion is the comparison between the U.S. and Indonesia also have a variety of different characters, but each character is owned by the U.S. and Indonesia also each have a positive value and also negatifenya, back to ourselves in responding to or assessing any character in owned by American and Indonesia. Positife Many things that we can take on any character which is owned by anerika and also Indonesia and the diversity of the character and will of course be able to further develop advances in every American and also Indonesia.
American Character
America is one of the strongest countries in the world with leading some aspects of the world such as economic, political, military, education, etc. besides have the major influence of development in the world, American people also have some characters that developed in the middle American people. With the diversity of culture, ethnic, religious, and language brought positive values to develop America became the strongest country in the world. There are several characters in the U.S. I chose seven characters which is will develop in this essay and those characters will explain below.
1. Success as a goal.
America
One of the reasons why America is always more forward than Indonesia, because people in America have a high spirit of hard work. They always think to one step forward than before. Commonly, the workers in America do not have a formal vocation. They always worked all day long and use time effectively. Then the success they have is the based on their skill and ability . It is proved by the research conducted by the International Labor Organization (ILO). American workers also work longer work weeks and put in more hours over the course of the year than counterparts in many advanced economies. About 80 percent of Americans work 40 hours or more each week; Fewer than half of Danes, Finns, the French or Germans That work many hours, said the International Labor Organization (ILO). Besides, the supporting factor to the success of America, where the American people are always ready to hardwork and efforts for making a change. They always makes a better change in the future for many aspects such as sector economy, business, technology, etc. however American people has an equality of gender, where men and women have the same opportunity to work hard and be the best. And the last reason that became the foundation for success for the American people are, they believe happiness is to be pursued, not waited. Thus they have the motivation to always work hard, because only with hardwork they can find happiness and hard work also became one of the basic American success.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, most of Indonesian people work hard to get a better life at the future. But for some others, they want to live with pleasant without working hard. That’s why Indonesia has always left behind than others countries in the world. Indonesian many people still have to got a lot of money without working hard. This is proved by the increasing cases of corruption in Indonesia every year. Corruption in Indonesia has become the greatest problem for government. Corruption occurs in all sectors such as economics, law, education, health, energy, etc. Indonesian people are always thought to have happiness without working hard. and national development in Indonesia has always stopped because its cost was corrupted. Corruption is a source of problems in the middle of Indonesian people and makes poor people more and more difficult to get a better life. Besides, one of the reasons that make Indonesia is always left behind is the workers in Indonesia does not have a high spirit of hard work. They didn’t have the strong motivation to succeed with their effort. This is proved with the number of vocation day for employees in a year are very much. They didn’t use their time effectively, and waste a lot of time with vain. Thus the Indonesian people doesn’t see success is the result of hard work, therefore Indonesia can’t developed than other countries.
2. Materialism
America
Now a days, materialism became the lifestyle of Americans people. It has became a trend and develop in American society. They always pursue and purchase goods with the latest and most enermous with considerable cost, just to satisfy their desire to shop. Then after they got what they want, they will find other items for their found again and it continued all the time. This lifestyle certain require a large fee. So that American people has always worked hard to get a lot of money to satisfy their desire to shop in the best place. But the merialsim didn’t olny give good effect, but also give bad effect. This increase in American materialism, unfortunately, exists along with other less fashionable increases; teen suicide, depression, divorce, the disintegration of the family, bankruptcy, and despair. It does not appear that those living by the law of materialism are necessarily happy or fulfilled.
Indonesia
Same as American society, Indonesia also has a lifestyle of materialism. However, there is a difference value of materialism between American and Indonesian people. lifestyle of materialism is also developing in the middle of the Indonesian people. There are many people who routinely go to the mall just to shop goods to the latest and modern and also spent a lot of money in the best places for relax. But, this is not haapen to Indonesia people who really poor. They are very depressed with this condition because only rich people such as artists, entrepreneurs, public figure, etc who always spent a lot of money to fulfill their desire for shopping and buy a lot of the most luxury goods. Therefore materialism makes social gap in the middle of Indonesian people. Besides, The pursuit of happiness does not mean the pursuit of the most current technology or an upgraded vehicle.
3. The influences of frontier
America
Americans have a very wide area, thus opening up many opportunities for the frontier to live and work in America. Jackson Turner said “The American frontier may not be the key to American development, but it’s Certainly one major factor”. It is proved that the influences of the frontier to the development in America was very interesting . This is due to the American government gives the equal opportunities and obligations towards American peoples and to the frontier in America such as in sector law, social, economics, politics, education, health, etc. They can develop their skills and careers as well as American people in various sectors of government such as politics, economics, education etc. Therefore it is become an advantage for America because they have qualified human resources which is support national development. In addition, they can choose and decide their own land that they want. However, the frontier didin’t chase away the american people from their land, but they live and working together to develop their areas. Thus America became one of the most developed countries in the world.
Indonesia
If we compare with Indonesia, Indonesia is also one of the developing countries in various sector. Such as industry, economy, education, health, etc. but it is not followed with support from human resources which is qualified in their sector. Because a lot of Indonesian people are still close opportunity for frontier. They can’t develop their skill and carrer in Indonesia as well as Indonesian people. Indonesian people are afraid to compete with the frontier, because the level education in Indonesia are very low. In addition, the government doesn’t provide equal opportunity to the frontier,then foreign investors will not invest their modals in Indonesia. Therefore the national development in Indonesia is slower than the United States of America. Moreover the Indonesian people are can not compete with the frontier from other country. Thus they always tried to chase away the frontier from Indonesia. Finally the frontier did not have a major influence on the national development in Indonesia.
4. The ideal of service
America
American people have a sense to help each other. American government always concern to their citizens wherever they are lived around the world. American Government always defend its citizens either inside or outside the United States. One of former President U.S, President John F. Kennedy said: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. According of the statement proved, that the American government will always provide the ideal of service to its citizens. Because since children they have been learn from their parents to love others and should help each other. American government is always concerned with the problems faced by its citizens, both issues in law, economics, education, health, etc. For example in education, the American government has always raise standards of education in America and every children can develop himself and his country. Thus every American citizen to help each other to develop their country, and the U.S. government also can provide the ideal of services to its citizens.
Indonesia
Compared with Indonesia, the Government of Indonesia has not been able to provide the ideal of service to its citizens. Because the character of Indonesian people who still want to enrich themselves without regard for others. for example, in the sector of transportation there are many problems such as traffic jam, roads damaged, etc. Though the government has always insisted on paying taxes on time. In addition Indonesian government has not been able to provide employment for all its citizens. This is proved by the increasing number of Indonesian workers who go abroad to work outside Indonesia. thus the Indonesian government has not been able to realize the ideal of service to their citizens.
5. American creed
America
American creed is values and beliefs that form the philosophical foundation for the United States system of law and government including its Constitution. That’s the reason why the American people are very proud to be American citizens. because they have a duty to their country. They really love their country, respect their flag, supporting all decisions, obey the law and against all the enemies of America. they believe a big nation, come from the people are defend their country. With a strong foundation and duty, American people are always believe in taking decisions and give the best to the country. The American’s Creed defines what it means to be American, both the need for faith in who and what we are as a Nation, and the resposibility we all have to love and respect our Nation and its Flag. Its message is appropriate for each generation of Americans, but becomes even more meaningful when we understand the historical context of its origin.
Indonesia
Compared with Indonesia, Indonesia also has a strong foundation which is called “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila”. And Indonesian people is obliged to defend the country. But now a days, much of the values from “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila” has been lost in the daily life of Indonesian people. this is proved with there are many was broke the united of Indonesia. such as corruption, inter-tribal disputes, differences between religions, etc. it is increasingly damage the the united of Indonesia, while Indonesia has a strong foundation to be able to develop into a good countries. Thus the Indonesia people should be more aware of and understand the values contained in “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila”, in order to give the best to the country. and Indonesia could be one step forwards than other countries.
6. A Nation Of Conformists
America
The United States has long been known as the land of opportunity, where hard work is rewarded and economic prosperity is within reach for all. This is one of many reason why people want to come to America. they saw that in America has big oppurtunity to get a better life. All people who comes to America, bringing the value of their culture respectively. This makes a lot of diversity cultures in America. That’s why American has much values from culture better than any other country. Americans always appreciate the culture of other nations, because of the positive values which is contained in culture can united the diversity culture in America. With the diversity cultures that they owned, the American people do not consider it is to be a difference but the positive value which is contained in culture makes a unity in the middle of American society. thus the cultural values brought from the frontier to the United States gives motivation for America to became the stongest nation.
Indonesia
If we compared with Indonesia, Indonesia is also a country that has a lot of diversity of cultures. But Indonesian people can not accept all of these cultural values became the reason to built a unity for Indonesia. With the diversity of culture that Indonesian owned, causes a lot of difference among the Indonesian people. There are many cases of inter-tribal and ethnic strife. Also a lot of difference between religions, regions, etc. this proved Indonesia is unable to unity all of postitif value that is owned from the diversity of culture to build a united nation.
7. Humor
America
Sense of humor certain exist in every nation, also in America. American people have a high sense of humor in their life. Humor can be used as an alternative to release angry, bored, tired, stress, depression, etc.. most American people are always working hard, so they often feelings of anger, bored, tired, stress, depression, and humor can be one solution to solve their problem. Commonly, humor in America are based on the fairy tales and myths, although many were come from daily activity. There are many event of humor in television as a cartoons or movies. There are some of humor events in the television which is usually entertain American people such as “The Simps”, “The Sesame Street”. Thus proving a sense of humor American people is still high and they are still require humor sense.
Indonesia
Indonesia also have a sense of humor. There are so many events of humor on television which is can be used as a solution to release the feeling bored, angry, bored, etc. Such as “Operva Van Java”, “Extravaganza”, and many more. Besides, the artists of humor in Indonesia, usually have a unique characteristic as their character on television show. They usually have the special feature on him, even though not all artists of humor in Indonesia have it. The humor events in Indonesia are commonly based on a fairy tale or come from daily activity, but usually they used a myth story. Thus proving Indonesian people are also need a lot of humor show, along with the growth the number of television shows about humor.
Conclusion
After all explanation has proven there are many differences between American and Indonesia. America and Indonesia are two countries that have the diversity of culture, ethnicity, religion, etc. but why Indonesia will always left behind than America? because Indonesia is not able to use the values of diversity to be a reason to united. Indonesia is unable to compete with American because they don’t have the ability as Americans have such as: hard work, helping each others, etc. Thus, Indonesia was expected to make a breakthrough which is to be able to compete with America in the future.
American Characters Vs Indonesian Characters
1. Success as a Goal
Americans
Americans place a very high valuation upon success. It does not necessarily mean material rewards, but recognition of some sorts—preferably measurable. If a businessman’s boy turns out to be a musician—instead of a businessman like his father, that’s all right. But the more albums he make, the more successful he is judged to be.
Since a high regard is felt for success the rewards are high. Money is rarely cherished for itself in America; it rather a symbol and a tool. When a man’s status rises, the demand upon him also increases. He is expected to donate to society voluntary associations.
Despite the high technology they have developed, Americans still like to be handy at all things. Both men and women are willing to do house works. College professors go in for making furniture or remodeling an old house in the country. Nearly everyone knows how to use tools, make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures, refinish furniture or paint a wall. Far from being thought a disgrace if he performs these “menial” tasks, a man is thought ridiculous if he does not know how to perform them.
Most Western cultures includes America are future-oriented with a very strong belief that organization, planning and goal achievement are the cornerstones of success. This is so important to some cultures that people from other cultures perceive them as being obsessive. For example, Americans are often seen as workaholics, placing the importance of success and goal accomplishment over that of personal relationships.
Indonesians
There is a wide gap between the way that mainstream Indonesian culture and most Western cultures view the sense of time. While Western cultures look to the future, the Indonesian culture is generally past-oriented.
Indonesian culture demands that time be invested in building relationships, considering ideas, and preparing to act. The concept is that these important actions should not be rushed and that time is required to ensure that everything is done correctly. If that means that a deadline is missed or an order is late, everyone should understand that this was just the amount of time that it took.
If a Western manager has a “time is money” mentality, or has the home office breathing down his neck, or has a line of work that requires precise deadlines and timing, this is extremely frustrating. Failing to meet deadlines is a cardinal sin in Western business culture. It implies incompetence and that alone is often sufficient reason to dismiss an employee.
One of the reasons that this can become such a problem for foreign companies is that meeting deadlines is so basic to their culture that it is a non-negotiable point. Foreign managers may be asked to make many concessions when working in Indonesia, but this is one area where Indonesian personnel should conform to mainstream Western business culture.
Western managers asking Indonesian personnel to meet precise timetables and schedules have to understand that they are asking for something that is difficult for many Indonesians. It may be outside their experience and they may not understand the importance. As a Western manager, you have to be sure that the concept of goal setting and deadlines is explained clearly and often. People need to understand what is expected of them. Too often, Western managers assume that Indonesian personnel have the same business values as themselves-and that is wrong.
2. Materialism
Americans
The pursuit of the American dream has become rather costly in that it is fraught with a large quantity of material possessions. The requirements to “keep up with the Joneses” are becoming more and more burdensome. Americans are made to feel that they absolutely must have certain things that had not even been invented just a few years ago. The increase in high tech, computerized, and digitized devices in the areas of electronics and household appliances has altered the landscape of the American home and family.
Americans will continue to subscribe to the pursuit of material goods, especially high tech devices for two basic reasons: the need for comfort and the need for entertainment. The deep, sometimes unspoken desire is to be coddled, catered to, and distracted. Embedded in this need for comfort and entertainment is the need for easy, quick access to information and resources. So, along with popping the family dinner into a microwave oven and eating the meal in a room with perfect temperature control, bill paying can be done from the comfort of home without ever writing a check or mailing an envelope.
This increase in American materialism, unfortunately, exists along with other less fashionable increases; teen suicide, depression, divorce, the disintegration of the family, bankruptcy, and despair. It does not appear that those living by the law of materialism are necessarily happy or fulfilled. The increase in the pursuit of things is evident; satisfaction from possessing these things is suspect and spurious.
Indonesians
Although the ethical judgment of consumers in the United States and other industrialized countries has received considerable attention, consumer ethics in Asian-market settings have seldom been explored. The purchase and making of counterfeit products are considered common, but disreputable, attributes of Southeast Asian consumers. According to the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indonesia ranks third among the leading countries of counterfeit items in Asia. Retail revenue losses attributed to counterfeiting amounted to US $183 million in 2004. Therefore, elucidating the ethical perspectives of Indonesian consumers is an effective means of clarifying an important cultural influence on consumer behavior. This exploratory study of 230 Indonesians has many meaningful findings. First, certain personal attitudes apparently affect the ethical judgments of Indonesian consumers. Second, Indonesian consumers who exhibited high ethical concern over actively benefiting from illegal actions had high levels of materialism and idealism, as well as low levels of relativism. Third, materialism, idealism, and relativism significantly influenced whether benefits were created from actively engaging in some questionable activities (DELEGAL). Analytical results indicated that Indonesians with high materialism and relativism were more likely to engage in actions that were questionable but legal. Finally, consumer ethics were compared by applying demographic variables such as gender, age, education, religion, and occupation, indicating that all variables significantly varied except for religion.
3. The Ideal of Service
Americans
Service as an ideal has spread out into many branches of American life. More and more the institutions of a community are expected to participate the needs of the citizen, and to make possible a healthier, happier, richer life. Meanwhile service as a commercial activity has leaped ahead. Whether you want a daily diaper service for the new infant, a carwash (many of them mechanized so as to be completed in ten or fifteen minutes) or a clipping for your poodle, you are sure to find it. The yellow pages in the back of every telephone book list hundreds of such offerings.
While the supermarkets have been moving in the direction of self-service in exchange for lower prices, smaller enterprise have sprung up to supply whom service to those who want it, especially to the many people who now live in rural or suburban areas. One of district is visited regularly by a grocer, a green grocer, several bakers, a dispenser of frozen foods and three ice cream man, not to mention the occasional salesman of brushes, vacuum cleaners, insurance, magazine or cars, and the absolutely indispensable country institution the rural leather carrier.
The accent on service suggests an attempt to blame the two conflict things forces in the national character—the hardheaded drive for business success and the soft religiously inspired urge us to serve others. As the recipient of such service, we intend find ourselves when think to patronize them all, for if they are talking the trouble to serve us it seems only fair that they should be helped to succeed.
Indonesians
Many expats enjoy a prosperous lifestyle while residing in Indonesia. Their companies take care of paying for their housing, transportation, utilities, medical insurance, and even household staff. In addition many receive incentive pay for living overseas and tax reduction benefits. Yet all around us, many Indonesians live in utter poverty, due to the lack of opportunities to improve their lives. We expats are where we are today because of the opportunities we have had access to and been able to take advantage of in our lives.
Recognizing this disparity … many expats, and their multinational employers, are heavily involved, either personally or financially, in many projects around Indonesia to provide life-changing opportunities to those in need. Time and time again we hear of expats who are “Giving back” … sharing some of the bounty that is the result of the many opportunities they were giving in life in order to give back to those Indonesians in need.
4. A Nation of Conformists
Americans
In Europe, by contrast, one reason why there’s no politically significant pro-life movement is because, in a world where constitutions have the life expectancy of an Oldsmobile, great questions are just seen as part of the general tide, the way things are going, no sense trying to fight it. And, by the time you realize you have to, the tide’s usually up to your neck.
So Americans should be thankful they have one of the last functioning nation states. Because they’ve been so inept at exercising it, Europeans no longer believe in national sovereignty, whereas it would never occur to Americans not to. This profoundly different attitude to the nation state underpins in turn Euro-American attitudes to transnational institutions such as the U.N. But on this Thanksgiving the rest of the world ought to give thanks to American national sovereignty, too. When something terrible and destructive happens — a tsunami hits Indonesia, an earthquake devastates Pakistan — the U.S. can project itself anywhere on the planet within hours and start saving lives, setting up hospitals and restoring the water supply. Aside from Britain and France, the Europeans cannot project power in any meaningful way anywhere. When they sign on to an enterprise they claim to believe in — shoring up Afghanistan’s fledgling post-Taliban democracy — most of them send token forces under constrained rules of engagement that prevent them doing anything more than manning the photocopier back at the base. If America were to follow the Europeans and maintain only shriveled attenuated residual military capacity, the world would very quickly be nastier and bloodier, and far more unstable. It’s not just Americans and Iraqis and Afghans who owe a debt of thanks to the U.S. soldier but all the Europeans grown plump and prosperous in a globalized economy guaranteed by the most benign hegemon in history.
Indonesians
Indonesia appears to have gone a long way towards conceptualizing and implementing a national vision of multi-ethnic coexistence. “Unity in Diversity” (Bhinneka Tunggall Ika) was proclaimed the national motto of newly-independent Indonesia when it served the bonds of Dutch colonial rule at the end of World War II. The motto, drawn from Sanskrit and attributed to rulers of the Majapahit Empire (a Javanese polity of the 14th century), evokes ancient ties between Javanese and other powerful Asian Kingdoms.
The prominent use of this motto by Indonesia’s two post-Independence leaders, former President Sukarno and current President Suharto, is noteworthy for two reasons. First, it marks their early insights about the political importance of supporting a diversified multi-ethnic fusion rather than an American-style “melting pot.” Second, the maxim tellingly represents how Indonesian government policies have been designed to address the political challenge of cultural pluralism through the mass manipulation of cultural ideas about a glorious common history and the harmonies present founded on important yet unthreatenting social differences.
The history of post-Independence Indonesia thus offers a contrast to that of other areas a contrast to that of other areas of the world that are torn by ethnic strife. The Indonesian government has succeeded in constructing a unified, multi-ethnic state (admittedly at some costs to its ethnic minorities) with the fourth largest population in the world (after China, India and the USA) and the thirteenth largest economy, just behind Canada’s.
5. Mobility
Americans
One of the hallmark features of adulthood is believing that you have the means to better yourself. As you step outside the comfort zone of the home in which you were raised, part and parcel of your newfound freedom and responsibility is harnessing that independence towards making something of yourself.
In the American context, at least, there’s the added belief that where you start doesn’t affect where you end up. Describing the putative American Dream, Horatio Alger wrote that we live in “a social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”
In other words, people of my generation — and those before me — were all raised believing that, regardless of where we started, we could achieve a life for ourselves that was as good as — if not better than — that of our parents.
What a bummer to discover that this great national mythology that’s sustained us for so many generations may no longer be true. Indeed, a spate of recent studies suggests that Americans — unlike many of their European counterparts — are no longer upwardly mobile.
Indonesians
Currently Indonesia is the rising star among Southeast Asian countries. The sustainable growth and its.
Last year is now summed up by many as year of the downfalls, many events having reshaped the face of the world: the euro crisis, US political instability, Sino-Japanese conflicts and the likes. Indonesia also, although its growth is still strong, has taken its toll. No economy could grow strong on its own, it still needs other countries. That’s how the world works. Lower demands mean lower supply. But is Indonesia that interconnected with other countries to be that vulnerable? The answer is no. And on a more specific question, is there any real boost in the welfare of the Indonesian people? The answer to this question can be so relatively random, but I’m pretty much sure most people will say there wasn’t.
Based on BPS files of Indonesia’s recent migration from 1980 to 2005 by province up to 2010. The data show that the migration rate has been sharply declining since 1980 to 1985. This is likely due to the end of President Suharto’s transmigration program. The second set of data show that the population is not evenly distributed. Well, it’s pretty normal because, just like a moth to a flame, people will find their way to more prosperous lands.
Indonesia during 2011 increased productivity by 6.5 percent – calculated as GDP growth. The downside to greater economic growth is a greater rate of inflation. Supposedly, according to the basic notion of the Phillip curve, the inflation rate and the unemployment rate correlate in opposite directions. The higher rate of inflation, the lower rate of unemployment
The incentives for people to move are better wages and/or better jobs. But according to Richardson, there’s non-wage-related migration. This views growth inducing migration not as a deliberate act but as the consequence of a sluggish response to wage changes. He suggested a theory of why there’s migration inertia. There is imperfect information channeled back to out-migration areas. The people who already move to the new area often distort the information of wage changes and job availability data, giving the wrong impression to the people in out-migration area. People tend to move to an area where there is already a community from the out-migration area because of the “family stem” concept, and also because of expectations of lodging, clothes, food and information from people who already moved to the new area.
Perhaps, the transmigration program was not that bad after all. Perhaps, President Suharto already had a bigger vision for this nation. Unfortunately the government programs under his administration were eaten little by little by his own cronies. Perhaps we could once again return to President Suharto’s vision for Indonesia: transmigration.
6. The Influence of the Frontier
Americans
American social development has been continually beginning over again on the frontier. This perennial rebirth, this fluidity of American life, this expansion westward with its new opportunities, its continuous touch with the simplicity of primitive society, furnish the forces dominating American character. The true point of view in the history of this nation is not the Atlantic Coast, it is the Great West. Even the slavery struggle, which is made so exclusive an object of attention by writers like Professor von Holst, occupies its important place in American history because of its relation to westward expansion.
In this advance, the frontier is the outer edge of the wave — the meeting point between savagery and civilization. Much has been written about the frontier from the point of view of border warfare and the chase, but as a field for the serious study of the economist and the historian it has been neglected.
What is the frontier? It is not the European frontier — a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about it is that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile. The term is an elastic one, and for our purposes does not need sharp definition. We shall consider the whole frontier belt, including the Indian country and the outer margin of the “settled area” of the census reports. This paper will make no attempt to treat the subject exhaustively; its aim is simply to call attention to the frontier as a fertile field for investigation, and to suggest some of the problems which arise in connection with it.
Now, the frontier is the line of most rapid and effective Americanization. The wilderness masters the colonist. It finds him a European in dress, industries, tools, modes of travel, and thought. It takes him from the railroad car and puts him in the birch canoe. It strips off the garments of civilization and arrays him in the hunting shirt and the moccasin. It puts him in the log cabin of the Cherokee and Iroquois and runs an Indian palisade around him. Before long he has gone to planting Indian corn and plowing with a sharp stick; he shouts the war cry and takes the scalp in orthodox Indian fashion. In short, at the frontier the environment is at first too strong for the man. He must accept the conditions which it furnishes or perish, and so he fits himself into the Indian clearings and follows the Indian trails.
Indonesians
The notion of new frontiers refers to these natural resource rich-regions. These new frontiers differ in many aspects from the so-called classical frontiers. Classical frontiers are areas near or just beyond a boundary of already settled areas or a developed territory, beyond the edge of ‘civilization’ and state control, i.e. transition zones. The term ‘new frontier’, by contrast, does not refer to ‘unmapped’ areas, never before ‘civilized’ or subjected to state control. New frontiers are regions that have recently witnessed a considerable decrease of state control, accompanied by an increase of lawlessness and resource and land grabbing. New frontiers are in short, regions that have undergone ‘decivilization’ processes because of political dissolution processes and the arrival of natural resource-oriented ‘wild-west capitalism’, with often-destructive consequences, socially, culturally and ecologically.
Given the unique historical conditions and strong political-economic dynamics in Indonesia, the notion of new frontiers provides a distinctive way to examine and unpack the political paradoxes surrounding resource extraction. By aiming to understand what these new frontiers and paradoxes are: (a) their causes and conditions; (b) the assemblage of actors involved; (c) the mechanisms and instruments that regulate resource control; and (d) the societal and ecological effects of the frontier mentality, this Joint Research Programme should provide insight into the question as to why the degradation and depletion of similar natural resources continues in certain regions whereas this process slows down or is curbed in others.
7. Humor
American and Indonesian humor are similar. However, some critics consider that the first is usually based in social situations, mishaps and language misunderstandings while the second is based on personalized situations and inventive outcomes from harmful situations. Also it has been written that while the first is more developed on a plot, the second is built on a short and sudden situation.
There is nothing wrong in discussing the differences between cultures, this is not racist. We should celebrate the cultural and physical differences of the human race, not deceive ourselves that we are all the same as the politically correct morons would wish.
Americans
Americans pretend to be aristocratic nor places itself at a particular intellectual level. Americans also like to make fun of smart Alecs. American humor, in short, confirms the importance of mating and the family, the high status of women and children, the pace and tension of life, and above all the love of humor itself as an approach to life more to be prized than riches, a gift to be cherished and applauded. The minister uses it in his sermons, the doctor in his healing, the lawyer in his pleading, and the teacher in his teaching. About the worst thing we can say of man is that he has no sense of humor. For humor is regarded as an essential part of “the American way.”
It helps to equalize, and we believe in equality. It is often a symbol of freedom, for it permits the common man to speak freely of his leaders; it helps him cut them down to size. It deflates stuffed shirts. It allows us to look at ourselves in perspective, for when we laugh at ourselves we have surmounted our shortcomings. And in a land where new contacts are always being made, humor provides a quickly available emotional unity—not subtle or regional but universal, one which lets us feel immediately at home anywhere. It is the grammar of confidence, the rhetoric of optimism, the music of brotherhood.
Indonesians
Indonesian humor neither , but rather appeals to the base instincts of all human conditions. It is both sweet and agile in it’s simple elegance. Indonesian tries to show that the street-smart underdog may come out on top against all odds – so two sides of the same coin, basically. There seems to be an element of Schadenfreude in Indonesian humour, perhaps influenced by the Dutch.
1.Materialism
America
Materialism is the excessive desire to acquire and consume material goods. In the United States, there is a growing trend of increasing materialism in order to pursue the “good life.” Research shows that recent generations are focusing more on money, image, and fame than ever before. Materialism, like capitalism, is a defining factor of the American way of life. As with all things, materialism has its good and bad points. It is a trend that paints the American picture. It gives a perception of wealth and prosperity. However, it is commonly a shallow depiction of reality. The possession of things does not equate to financially stability. Regardless of how it is viewed, it defines us, motivates us, and moves our economy more than any other custom. many Americans continue to purchase that which is bigger and better. America is the top consumer of global products and resources. This local and global buying obsession may be one of the pillars holding the economy out of a depression. Although the economy can benefit from materialism, it also weakens overall financial stability of the individuals that fall prey to it. Materialism in America pushes and pulls at most of us. It pushes us to work harder and achieve more. However, the achievements are thin and meaningless when compared to the great accomplishments life has to offer. Getting married and starting a family are two major life changes that many put on hold because the situation is not perfect. Owning a home was often a goal for young couples to achieve before having children. The increasing power of materialism has taken that simple plan and magnified it. Now that same young couple will keep waiting until they have the right house in a prestigious neighborhood. Those points in life that give it true meaning are held back by the desire to be measured against a ruler that is constantly changing.
Americans are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The fullness of the American dream includes the belief that we all have these rights and should never be held back from achieving them. The pursuit of happiness does not mean the pursuit of the most current technology or an upgraded vehicle. It was the right to achieve the most basic and simple desires
Indonesia
same as the United States, Indonesia also has a lifestyle of materialism. Indonesia is a country that berbhineka social welfare and the level of awareness in the midst of abundant natural resources. Abuse relief coloring disasters that struck the community. Poverty, health education, and high unemployment have occurred on a large scale in the middle of the level of welfare officers, whether executive, legislative and judicial branches, which continue to rise rapidly. In the midst of reality State shall be based upon the belief in One God, Indonesia is faced with a big enemy of social life that is called corruption. Based paradox, the author considers that corruption is a real threat to Indonesia. That is, the threat actually came from the national reality and without any pressure from outside. All elements of the nation who clearly loves his people, including government, academia, NGOs, and the public in general would regard as an enemy that must be fought. That is, the anti-corruption in Indonesia should be developed in the midst of the reality that surrounded the tendency to live in the midst of materialism kemewahan.Di determination in Indonesia, stratification cannot work without significance.
2.The ideal service
Americans
Volunteers of America has always been dedicated to helping all people in need. Americans have a great volunteer spirit. They always help people affected by natural disasters, one natural disaster tsunami in Aceh. Not a bit of assistance provided by them to the nation of Indonesia in the form of moral and material assistance. They spend a lot of assistance to help citizens of other countries who are in the disaster. America is also providing services to the offender is more than just help people leaving prison. It’s also a service to the community, and service to children and other family members to whom the perpetrator would return.
Indonesia
Community service in Indonesia tend to have some fundamental problems. In addition to organizing and effectiveness of public participation in the provision of services is still relatively low, public services also do not have complaints and dispute settlement mechanisms. As a result, product quality is also not satisfactory service to its users even public services are now discriminated against by certain parties against certain social classes. Public services in Indonesia tend to have some fundamental problems. In addition to organizing and the effectiveness of community participation in the provision of services is still relatively low, public services also have no complaints and dispute resolution mechanisms. As a result, the quality of products also services that do not satisfy the users of public services even now discriminated against by certain parties against certain social class. Community service in Indonesia needs to learn a lot from the neighboring countries so that every prospect of service in Indonesia have a good quality and quantity
3.A NATION OF CONFORMISTS
American
Calling someone a conformist is not a polite thing to do these days because being a conformist implies a person not thinking by himself/herself. Conformity refers to thinking and acting in ways that are in accordance with social standards and conventions of one’s social group. Understandably enough, to be a non-conformist is desirable because it is connotative of a person being an independent thinker who is able to make thoughtful choices on all sorts of issues after examining the relevant information. Conscientious readers, however, should be quick to realize that even the ideal of non-conformity is largely shaped by majority opinion. The processes of conformity that exaggerate the impact of majority opinion may make one question its usefulness but there are many circumstances where conforming to the majority opinion ends up being the better option than going down the non-conformist road. Going back to youtube example, there is a higher probability in choosing to watch a popular video than randomly selecting one of millions of amateur videos that watching the video would be worthwhile to the viewer. The results of the study showed that the conformists in the “social learning” group who picked colors based on majority picks were able to earn significantly more points than non-conformists in the group. In other words, conforming with the majority opinion helped people perform better at “picking the optimum color” task than not going along with opinion of the masses.
Indonesia
Preservation functions directed at the introduction and deepening of noble values that are universal culture, and a wealth of culture that is priceless, which is expected to grow and strengthen a sense of patriotism and national pride. The Indonesian don`t like to looks diverge with the other because a different attitude or appearance that they have will tend to make the other people is thing bad even looks like walked away from them. That is sometimes that makes any different in Indonesia seems like mix with one color that closed by a fear to be something different from the other people in Indonesia.
4.Mobility
American
mobility in the United States refers to the movement of Americans from one social class or economic level to another, often by changing jobs or marrying. This “vertical” mobility can be the change in socioeconomic status between parents and children or over the course of a lifetime. It typically refers to “relative mobility” the chance that an American’s income/status will rise or fall compared to others in another income/status group, but can also be “absolute” whether living standards in America have increased.
Belief in strong social and economic mobility that Americans can and do rise from humble origins to riches has been called a “civil religion”, “the bedrock upon which the American story has been anchored and part of the American identity, celebrated in the lives of famous Americans such as Benjamin Franklin and Henry Ford and in popular culture (from the books of Horatio Alger and Norman Vincent Peale to the song “Movin’ on Up. Opinion polls show this belief to be both stronger now in America than in years past, and stronger than in other developed countries. However, in recent years several large studies have found that vertical inter-generational mobility is lower, not higher, in America than in those countries. More encouraging results come from study of “absolute mobility” which has found most Americans have more income than their parents. A 2007 study “Economic Mobility Project: Across Generations,” using Panel Study of Income Dynamics, found 67% of Americans who were children in 1968 had higher levels of real family income in 1995–2002 than their parents had in 1967–1971 (although most of this growth in total family income can be attributed to the increasing number of women who work since male earnings have stayed relatively stable throughout this time.
Indonesia
As a large archipelago state, movement of people across the country, historically, has always an important dimension of social formation in Indonesia. However mobility focuses on movement of people in the last four decades, In this case is concerned their attitude changes must be accompanied by shaking the soul. The concept of mobility is in practice be linked to one another and it is difficult to determine which as a consequence and cause. As an example for the occurrence of changes in social status, a person forced to leave their homes because of lack of employment opportunities, or reverse social mobility often lead to the existence of geographic mobility that comes with all the painful losses, the disappearance of social ties that have been so long established.
5.The Influence of the Frontier
American
The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier ¬ a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile. The term is an elastic one, and for our purposes does not need sharp definition. And The frontier was appealing to settlers because of the promise of new wonders, and land. There was plenty of it, and thanks to manifest destiny and the industrial revolution there was the production of rail lines to connect cities on the East coast, eventually connecting to the west to transport goods.
Tourism came into play in the mid 19th century-the Grand Tour in Europe was over-shadowed by the advertisement of America as a “Wonderland”. People then specifically moved to the mid-west and then to California because of the undeveloped, picturesque landscapes, and the American Indians, or the”Noble Savage” was sold as a commodity as the guide to this unexplored frontier.
Indonesia
Development of border regions is essentially an integral part of national development. The border region has a strategic value in supporting the success of national development. Socioeconomic disparities border areas with neighboring communities affect the character and lifestyle of local communities and have a negative impact border security and a sense of nationalism. So it is not infrequently the border as an entry or transit point for criminals and terrorists. The border is expected to give the principles of the development of the Country’s borders in accordance with the characteristics of its current status to violence from surrounding areas that are more developed or for synergy with the development of a single State with other countries, so Indonesia had begun to lose its natural resources, such as the island. Indonesia lacks in terms of maintaining the richness of his own country, more interested in money. To restore the borders that have been taken, therefore we have to prepare a good infrastructure and facilities though cost is enormous.
6.The American creed
American
The American Creed consists of the principles that form the foundation for the United States of America, including the foundation for its Constitution, its system of law, and its overall purpose and vision as a nation. The American Creed is stated in the first founding, The American creed is defined as liberty, equality, individualism, limited government involvement, and populism. “It provides the frame of reference most Americans use to evaluate candidates and specific issues.” In the creed liberty represents the state of being boundless within the social order from oppressive restrictions forced by authority on one’s way of being. Equality is our rights, treatment and value equal to all others. Individualism goes hand and hand with liberty and equality. It is a social theory supporting the rights and independents of one person’s actions. Populism is our political ideology based on our interest. Limited government is the minimal rule intervention in personal liberties and the economy. Giving us the right to make as much money as we please, but allowing intervention when absolutely needed. Often protesters and activist use this creed to criticize our government because “It provides the frame of reference most Americans use to evaluate candidates and specific issue.
Indonesia
Indonesia also has a strong foundation which is called “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila”. And Indonesian people is obliged to defend the country. But now a days, much of the values from “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila” has been lost in the daily life of Indonesian people. this is proved with there are many was broke the united of Indonesia. such as corruption, inter-tribal disputes, differences between religions, etc. it is increasingly damage the the united of Indonesia, while Indonesia has a strong foundation to be able to develop into a good countries. It is seen in first principle or sila has clearly explained the requirement for a belief in the all-oneness of God. In Indonesia there are five acknowledged religions; Islam, Christian, Catholic, Buddha, and Hindu. Indonesia is known well as orient culture. Different from American, Indonesian credo is about prioritizing civilized manners such a shame, mutual aid (gotong royong), respect, and uphold national unity
7.Humor
American
American humor refers collectively to the conventions and common threads that tie together humor in the United States. It is often defined in comparison to the humor of another country – for example, how it is different from British humour and Canadian humor. It is, however, difficult to say what makes a particular type or subject of humor particularly American. Humor usually concerns aspects of American culture, and depends on the historical and current development of the country’s culture. The extent to which an individual will personally find something humorous obviously depends on a host of absolute and relative variables, including, but not limited to geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, and context. People of different countries will therefore find different situations funny. Just as American culture has many aspects which differ from other nations. American humor might also be distinguished by its most common type of humor, for example, more slapstick and physical comedy. There is less emphasis on understatement, and so the humor tends to be more open, rather than satirizing the social system through exaggeration.
American humor prefers more observational techniques. However, the style of observational humor (while not exclusively American) is very much a staple of the American style of humor since it seeks to point out the aspects of American culture and social discourse which are obvious while at the same time highlighting their ridiculousness.
Indonesia
In the early era of Indonesia’s independence, humor talks a lot around household conflicts and the cultures, life within a particular culture or conflicts that arise due to differences in lifestyle due to cultural influences. Indonesian humor consists of funny story, funny pictures, funny text messages, funny puzzles, and jokes that make laugh out loud. On the other hand, we can watch comedy and joke film.
1.Materialism
America
Materialism is the excessive desire to acquire and consume material goods. In the United States, there is a growing trend of increasing materialism in order to pursue the “good life.” Research shows that recent generations are focusing more on money, image, and fame than ever before. Materialism, like capitalism, is a defining factor of the American way of life. As with all things, materialism has its good and bad points. It is a trend that paints the American picture. It gives a perception of wealth and prosperity. However, it is commonly a shallow depiction of reality. The possession of things does not equate to financially stability. Regardless of how it is viewed, it defines us, motivates us, and moves our economy more than any other custom. many Americans continue to purchase that which is bigger and better. America is the top consumer of global products and resources. This local and global buying obsession may be one of the pillars holding the economy out of a depression. Although the economy can benefit from materialism, it also weakens overall financial stability of the individuals that fall prey to it. Materialism in America pushes and pulls at most of us. It pushes us to work harder and achieve more. However, the achievements are thin and meaningless when compared to the great accomplishments life has to offer. Getting married and starting a family are two major life changes that many put on hold because the situation is not perfect. Owning a home was often a goal for young couples to achieve before having children. The increasing power of materialism has taken that simple plan and magnified it. Now that same young couple will keep waiting until they have the right house in a prestigious neighborhood. Those points in life that give it true meaning are held back by the desire to be measured against a ruler that is constantly changing.
Americans are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The fullness of the American dream includes the belief that we all have these rights and should never be held back from achieving them. The pursuit of happiness does not mean the pursuit of the most current technology or an upgraded vehicle. It was the right to achieve the most basic and simple desires
Indonesia
same as the United States, Indonesia also has a lifestyle of materialism. Indonesia is a country that berbhineka social welfare and the level of awareness in the midst of abundant natural resources. Abuse relief coloring disasters that struck the community. Poverty, health education, and high unemployment have occurred on a large scale in the middle of the level of welfare officers, whether executive, legislative and judicial branches, which continue to rise rapidly. In the midst of reality State shall be based upon the belief in One God, Indonesia is faced with a big enemy of social life that is called corruption. Based paradox, the author considers that corruption is a real threat to Indonesia. That is, the threat actually came from the national reality and without any pressure from outside. All elements of the nation who clearly loves his people, including government, academia, NGOs, and the public in general would regard as an enemy that must be fought. That is, the anti-corruption in Indonesia should be developed in the midst of the reality that surrounded the tendency to live in the midst of materialism kemewahan.Di determination in Indonesia, stratification cannot work without significance.
2.The ideal service
Americans
Volunteers of America has always been dedicated to helping all people in need. Americans have a great volunteer spirit. They always help people affected by natural disasters, one natural disaster tsunami in Aceh. Not a bit of assistance provided by them to the nation of Indonesia in the form of moral and material assistance. They spend a lot of assistance to help citizens of other countries who are in the disaster. America is also providing services to the offender is more than just help people leaving prison. It’s also a service to the community, and service to children and other family members to whom the perpetrator would return.
Indonesia
Community service in Indonesia tend to have some fundamental problems. In addition to organizing and effectiveness of public participation in the provision of services is still relatively low, public services also do not have complaints and dispute settlement mechanisms. As a result, product quality is also not satisfactory service to its users even public services are now discriminated against by certain parties against certain social classes. Public services in Indonesia tend to have some fundamental problems. In addition to organizing and the effectiveness of community participation in the provision of services is still relatively low, public services also have no complaints and dispute resolution mechanisms. As a result, the quality of products also services that do not satisfy the users of public services even now discriminated against by certain parties against certain social class. Community service in Indonesia needs to learn a lot from the neighboring countries so that every prospect of service in Indonesia have a good quality and quantity
3.A NATION OF CONFORMISTS
American
Calling someone a conformist is not a polite thing to do these days because being a conformist implies a person not thinking by himself/herself. Conformity refers to thinking and acting in ways that are in accordance with social standards and conventions of one’s social group. Understandably enough, to be a non-conformist is desirable because it is connotative of a person being an independent thinker who is able to make thoughtful choices on all sorts of issues after examining the relevant information. Conscientious readers, however, should be quick to realize that even the ideal of non-conformity is largely shaped by majority opinion. The processes of conformity that exaggerate the impact of majority opinion may make one question its usefulness but there are many circumstances where conforming to the majority opinion ends up being the better option than going down the non-conformist road. Going back to youtube example, there is a higher probability in choosing to watch a popular video than randomly selecting one of millions of amateur videos that watching the video would be worthwhile to the viewer. The results of the study showed that the conformists in the “social learning” group who picked colors based on majority picks were able to earn significantly more points than non-conformists in the group. In other words, conforming with the majority opinion helped people perform better at “picking the optimum color” task than not going along with opinion of the masses.
Indonesia
Preservation functions directed at the introduction and deepening of noble values that are universal culture, and a wealth of culture that is priceless, which is expected to grow and strengthen a sense of patriotism and national pride. The Indonesian don`t like to looks diverge with the other because a different attitude or appearance that they have will tend to make the other people is thing bad even looks like walked away from them. That is sometimes that makes any different in Indonesia seems like mix with one color that closed by a fear to be something different from the other people in Indonesia.
4.Mobility
American
mobility in the United States refers to the movement of Americans from one social class or economic level to another, often by changing jobs or marrying. This “vertical” mobility can be the change in socioeconomic status between parents and children or over the course of a lifetime. It typically refers to “relative mobility” the chance that an American’s income/status will rise or fall compared to others in another income/status group, but can also be “absolute” whether living standards in America have increased.
Belief in strong social and economic mobility that Americans can and do rise from humble origins to riches has been called a “civil religion”, “the bedrock upon which the American story has been anchored and part of the American identity, celebrated in the lives of famous Americans such as Benjamin Franklin and Henry Ford and in popular culture (from the books of Horatio Alger and Norman Vincent Peale to the song “Movin’ on Up. Opinion polls show this belief to be both stronger now in America than in years past, and stronger than in other developed countries. However, in recent years several large studies have found that vertical inter-generational mobility is lower, not higher, in America than in those countries. More encouraging results come from study of “absolute mobility” which has found most Americans have more income than their parents. A 2007 study “Economic Mobility Project: Across Generations,” using Panel Study of Income Dynamics, found 67% of Americans who were children in 1968 had higher levels of real family income in 1995–2002 than their parents had in 1967–1971 (although most of this growth in total family income can be attributed to the increasing number of women who work since male earnings have stayed relatively stable throughout this time.
Indonesia
As a large archipelago state, movement of people across the country, historically, has always an important dimension of social formation in Indonesia. However mobility focuses on movement of people in the last four decades, In this case is concerned their attitude changes must be accompanied by shaking the soul. The concept of mobility is in practice be linked to one another and it is difficult to determine which as a consequence and cause. As an example for the occurrence of changes in social status, a person forced to leave their homes because of lack of employment opportunities, or reverse social mobility often lead to the existence of geographic mobility that comes with all the painful losses, the disappearance of social ties that have been so long established.
5.The Influence of the Frontier
American
The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier ¬ a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile. The term is an elastic one, and for our purposes does not need sharp definition. And The frontier was appealing to settlers because of the promise of new wonders, and land. There was plenty of it, and thanks to manifest destiny and the industrial revolution there was the production of rail lines to connect cities on the East coast, eventually connecting to the west to transport goods.
Tourism came into play in the mid 19th century-the Grand Tour in Europe was over-shadowed by the advertisement of America as a “Wonderland”. People then specifically moved to the mid-west and then to California because of the undeveloped, picturesque landscapes, and the American Indians, or the”Noble Savage” was sold as a commodity as the guide to this unexplored frontier.
Indonesia
Development of border regions is essentially an integral part of national development. The border region has a strategic value in supporting the success of national development. Socioeconomic disparities border areas with neighboring communities affect the character and lifestyle of local communities and have a negative impact border security and a sense of nationalism. So it is not infrequently the border as an entry or transit point for criminals and terrorists. The border is expected to give the principles of the development of the Country’s borders in accordance with the characteristics of its current status to violence from surrounding areas that are more developed or for synergy with the development of a single State with other countries, so Indonesia had begun to lose its natural resources, such as the island. Indonesia lacks in terms of maintaining the richness of his own country, more interested in money. To restore the borders that have been taken, therefore we have to prepare a good infrastructure and facilities though cost is enormous.
6.The American creed
American
The American Creed consists of the principles that form the foundation for the United States of America, including the foundation for its Constitution, its system of law, and its overall purpose and vision as a nation. The American Creed is stated in the first founding, The American creed is defined as liberty, equality, individualism, limited government involvement, and populism. “It provides the frame of reference most Americans use to evaluate candidates and specific issues.” In the creed liberty represents the state of being boundless within the social order from oppressive restrictions forced by authority on one’s way of being. Equality is our rights, treatment and value equal to all others. Individualism goes hand and hand with liberty and equality. It is a social theory supporting the rights and independents of one person’s actions. Populism is our political ideology based on our interest. Limited government is the minimal rule intervention in personal liberties and the economy. Giving us the right to make as much money as we please, but allowing intervention when absolutely needed. Often protesters and activist use this creed to criticize our government because “It provides the frame of reference most Americans use to evaluate candidates and specific issue.
Indonesia
Indonesia also has a strong foundation which is called “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila”. And Indonesian people is obliged to defend the country. But now a days, much of the values from “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila” has been lost in the daily life of Indonesian people. this is proved with there are many was broke the united of Indonesia. such as corruption, inter-tribal disputes, differences between religions, etc. it is increasingly damage the the united of Indonesia, while Indonesia has a strong foundation to be able to develop into a good countries. It is seen in first principle or sila has clearly explained the requirement for a belief in the all-oneness of God. In Indonesia there are five acknowledged religions; Islam, Christian, Catholic, Buddha, and Hindu. Indonesia is known well as orient culture. Different from American, Indonesian credo is about prioritizing civilized manners such a shame, mutual aid (gotong royong), respect, and uphold national unity
7.Humor
American
American humor refers collectively to the conventions and common threads that tie together humor in the United States. It is often defined in comparison to the humor of another country – for example, how it is different from British humour and Canadian humor. It is, however, difficult to say what makes a particular type or subject of humor particularly American. Humor usually concerns aspects of American culture, and depends on the historical and current development of the country’s culture. The extent to which an individual will personally find something humorous obviously depends on a host of absolute and relative variables, including, but not limited to geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, and context. People of different countries will therefore find different situations funny. Just as American culture has many aspects which differ from other nations. American humor might also be distinguished by its most common type of humor, for example, more slapstick and physical comedy. There is less emphasis on understatement, and so the humor tends to be more open, rather than satirizing the social system through exaggeration.
American humor prefers more observational techniques. However, the style of observational humor (while not exclusively American) is very much a staple of the American style of humor since it seeks to point out the aspects of American culture and social discourse which are obvious while at the same time highlighting their ridiculousness.
Indonesia
In the early era of Indonesia’s independence, humor talks a lot around household conflicts and the cultures, life within a particular culture or conflicts that arise due to differences in lifestyle due to cultural influences. Indonesian humor consists of funny story, funny pictures, funny text messages, funny puzzles, and jokes that make laugh out loud. On the other hand, we can watch comedy and joke film.
1.HUMOR
American
American humor might also be distinguished by its most common type of humor, for example, more slapstick and physical comedy. Slapstick comedy is the branch of comedy which relies of physical comedy to get laughs. It usually involved overexaggerated comic violence and it generally aimed at a younger audience. Physical comedy, whether conveyed by a pratfall (landing on the buttocks), a silly face, or the action of walking into walls, is a common and rarely subtle form of comedy. It is a clownish exploitation of movement, the most primordial human medium of expression, which predates language and the introduction of verbal humour such as cultural tradition, erudition and word puns. There is less emphasis on understatement, and so the humor tends to be more open, rather than satirizing the social system through exaggeration.
American humor prefers more observational techniques.
American stand-up comedians deal with a variety of forms and issues. Among forms popular or popularized in the US is observational comedy about everyday life and Improvisational comedy.
Indonesian
Indonesian comedy has a long tradition in local cultures, for example Ketoprak in East Java, Lenong in Jakarta, and Berbalas pantun in North Sumatra. The most popular form of stage comedy in Indonesia is comedy troupes doing skits or sketches, usually following a simple storyline and improvised by all actors. Among the comedic elements involved are banters, physical humour, cross-dressing, and socio-political commentary. Examples of popular comedy groups are Srimulat, Jayakarta, Kwartet Jaya, Bagito, Warkop DKI, Patrio. Many of the comedy groups had situation comedy or sketch shows on television. Also, many individual members went on to become quiz show or talk show hosts. Some of the most successful groups and comedians also branched out to films. Warkop DKI was especially productive, making more than 35 films from 1979 to 1994.
2.AMERICAN CREED
American
The American’s Creed is the national creed of the United States of America.
America’s creed is blessedly simple. Freedom, equality, democracy and America as the promised land, the new Jerusalem.
President Obama rejects this creed. He doesn’t buy the city-on-a-hill stuff. He sees particular nations as a blur; only the global community is big enough for him. He is at home on the exalted level of whole races and peoples and the vast, paternal power of central governments.
The president has revealed no sense of America’s mission to move constantly forward “with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right.” Lincoln’s sublime biblical English uses the parallel stanzas of ancient Hebrew poetry. That is who we are: a biblical republic, striving to live up to its creed. The dominion of ignorance will pass away like smoke and we will know and be ourselves again the moment we choose to be.
Indonesian
Religion in Indonesia has an important role in people’s lives. This is stated in the Indonesian national ideology, Pancasila: “Almighty Deity”. A number of religions in Indonesia collective influence on politics, economics and culture.
The government, however, officially only recognizes six religions, namely Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist and Confucian.
3.MOBILITY
American
Socio-economic mobility in the United States refers to the movement of Americans from one social class or economic level to another, often by changing jobs or marrying. This “vertical” mobility can be the change in socioeconomic status between parents and children (“inter-generational”) or over the course of a lifetime (“intra-generational”). “intra-generational” is the change in class and/or income over a single life-time. To the extent this mobility is present in society it means not only opportunity for the poor (or middle income) but ambitious, but also less relevance for whatever high levels of “short-term” inequality there may be, since the more mobility over the course of a career there is the more evenly distributed “lifetime” income will be. How strong Intra-generational mobility is in the US is disputed. It typically refers to “relative mobility”, the chance that an American’s income/status will rise or fall compared to others in another income/status group but can also be “absolute” whether (and by how much) living standards in America have increased.
Belief in strong social and economic mobility that Americans can and do rise from humble origins to riches has been called a “civil religion” , “the bedrock upon which the American story has been anchored”, and part of the American identity.
Indonesian
Currently Indonesia is the rising star among Southeast Asian countries. The sustainable growth and its relative immunity from financial crisis makes it a favored bet for global fund managers.
Indonesia recently witnessed dramatic changes in its economic, political and spatial landscape. In the economic context, it experienced very uneven economic development between regions, resulting in wide gaps in per capita income, most notably between urban and rural areas.
In terms of the political landscape, the fall of Suharto in 1998 marked the beginning of a transformation from an authoritarian regime towards a more democratic society. Increasingly, greater autonomy is being delegated to about 500 districts in various areas of governance, including public works, health, education, agriculture, industry, trade and environment. The quality of governance and the success with which democratic reform has been introduced at local levels vary widely.
At the spatial level, metropolitan areas in Indonesia are increasingly facing challenges due to rapid urbanization and motorization, which – in combination with insufficient investment in transport infrastructure – are linked to urban poverty and social exclusion. Major investments have been made in Bus Rapid Transit systems in Jakarta and Bandung in recent years. It is not yet clear how changes in the political landscape have affected transport investment decisions in rapidly growing metropolitan areas, and how investment in transport infrastructure or the lack of such investment have influenced urban poverty and social exclusion.
4.MATERIALISM
American
Materialism in America pushes and pulls at most of us. It pushes us to work harder and achieve more. However, the achievements are thin and meaningless when compared to the great accomplishments life has to offer. Getting married and starting a family are two major life changes that many put on hold because the situation is not perfect.
The American economy is fed by our materialistic desires. Even during the tough financial struggles of a recession, many Americans continue to purchase that which is bigger and better. America is the top consumer of global products and resources. This local and global buying obsession may be one of the pillars holding the economy out of a depression. Although the economy can benefit from materialism, it also weakens overall financial stability of the individuals that fall prey to it.
The healthy balance of work and play found in many other countries seems impossible to accomplish in America. It takes more money to feed the need for more things.
Indonesia
Indonesia is facing serious problems related to materialism, especially among the youth. Many youth who have an attitude of materialism, whereas they are a candidate for leader of the nation who built this country Indonesia. Therefore, materialism makes social inequalities in society of Indonesia. In addition, the pursuit of happiness does not mean chasing the latest technology or vehicles upgrade.
5.THE INFLUENCE OF THE FRONTIER
American
The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier,a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile.
Indonesian
For Indonesia, a different culture that frontier bring usually first off filtered and if the effect is fix with the culture that Indonesian have it will be accept kindly. For example, the Melayu music that is presented a slow or pop music flow is more easy to be taken Indonesian than a rock or some hard music genre that mostly come from the culture of west nation.
6.THE IDEAL SERVICE
American
Americans have a great volunteer spirit. They always help people affected by natural disasters, one of the tsunami disaster in Aceh. Not a bit of assistance provided by them to the people of Indonesia in the form of moral and material assistance.
Indonesian
The ideal of service in Indonesian depend on desire or awareness of people. Sometimes, the service is the effort to serve the needs of others by getting rewards (money). Sometimes people have realized to help others if there is a disaster coming. All give assistance or contribution directly. Thus, system in ideal service in our country must be improved and enhanced to better service.
7.A NATION OF CONFORMISTS
America
The United States has long been known as the land of opportunity, where hard work is rewarded and economic prosperity is within reach for all. This is one of many reason why people want to come to America.
Americans always appreciate the culture of other nations, because of the positive values which is contained in culture can united the diversity culture in America. The cultural values brought from the frontier to the United States gives motivation for America to became the stongest nation.
Indonesian
Conformity is totally different with Indonesia. Indonesia is a country that has a lot of diversity of cultures. Indonesian people can not accept all of these cultural values became the reason to built a unity for Indonesia. Although we have regulation, we always break them. We know that we are a civilized nation and religion. This is what causes the bad value conformity in Indonesia because Indonesia is currently the numbers of adolescents are affected by changing times in a group.
America is one of the most populous. This country including developed countries with good people from ethnic diversity, and professional societies. This makes America is one of the most successful country. behind it all, Americans have seven characters they have such as materialism, success is goal, a nation of conformist, the ideal of service, humorist, American creed, and the influence of the frontier. In this written I would like to compare Whether those seven characters have also Indonesian.
1. Materialism
American
Americans place a very high valuation upon success. It does not necessarily mean material rewards, but recognition of some sorts—preferably measurable. Since a high regard is felt for success the rewards are high. Money is rarely cherished for itself in America; it rather a symbol and a tool. When a man’s status rises, the demand upon him also increases. He is expected to donate to society voluntary associations.
To be successful, Americans are ready to work hard. They even love work. It is meat and drink to them. In recent years they have learned how to play, but they make work of that too. If it’s skiing, they throw themselves at it with an effort that would kill a horse.
Despite the high technology they have developed, Americans still like to be handy at all things. Both men and women are willing to do house works. College professors go in for making furniture or remodeling an old house in the country. Nearly everyone knows how to use tools, make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures, refinish furniture or paint a wall. Far from being thought a disgrace if he performs these “menial” tasks, a man is thought ridiculous if he does not know how to perform them.
Indonesia
Indonesia is one of the richest natural resources in the world. many people who want to manage natural resources because Indonesia is well known to foreign countries. but behind a wealth of natural resources, Indonesia is still underdeveloped in terms of thought or human resources. less unequal welfare resulted in social inequality d society. in the midst of the many people who do not enjoy school benches, cases of corruption are still common in this nation. it is caused by a lack of respect, sharing, and self-serving. the five precepts of Pancasila “social justice for all Indonesian people” it is still the duty of the government to be more sensitive in the fight against poverty, ignorance and social inequality. materials is still a matter that resulted in people being greedy and no longer care about each other.
2. Success is goal
American
Success is the desire of all people without exception. Even Americans who do not always want to work hard every day which may aim to achieve success in their hands someday. But for America’s success does not just mean material bicarakan.mereka always believed that there are many ways that you can do to achieve success. It can be seen from the freedom of each person to determine how they achieved success in their own way. They have the right to determine their way of life without being bound by what their parents achieved. The success of a child does not always depend on the wishes of the parents’, but it will all be achieved with full confidence and trust in yourself for success to be achieved. and it will motivate them to work according to their expectations to determine their own future.
Indonesia
For Indonesia, the word success is a dream that everyone wants to be real, and they will do anything to mendapatkannya. Therefore, there are many like Indonesia to achieve the success of their field they can still do just to make them look precious and life better than others. Because the meaning of success for Indonesia can be measured from several materials such as cars, houses, jewelry, or other luxury items they have. And different from the main character of the Americans have is Indonesia who prefer to get success without great effort to achieve it. besides, all the things they get in the midst of their success is considered as a tool to enhance their self-esteem ahead of the crowd and become more classy.
3. Nation of conformist
American
conformity in the United States did not become so noted., but that does not mean it is not important. here is intended that there be a major convenience for them. for example, when people want to travel somewhere, they prefer to wear simple clothes with enough shirts and shorts. there are some people who have a position or positions that are important there prefer to wear simple clothes that make them more confident to do a lot of activities all day activities. conclusion convenience factor becomes the most important thing to them than they put on something that makes them feel like someone else.
Indonesia
different from America to Indonesia they want to look the same as everyone else just for the reason that they would be accepted in a community. they are willing to look like everyone else in order to feel accepted in the community and it makes them feel appreciated. they’re too scared to admit that they are uncomfortable with what they wear in order to please others. but comfort should be the main factor that could indicate their identity and dared to be different.
4. The ideal of service
American
America is a country known for its high social and humanitarian. although they tend to be free lifestyle, but for humanitarian affairs, they do not want to take the risk. not just humans that they value, but their concern in preserving nature and the environment are also exemplary. in any service, they always try to give the best to the people who need the service. and they are also quite responsive to countries experiencing economic hardship or natural disaster. for example, the tragedy of the earthquake in Japan and other countries that experience a disaster and need help.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a country with a public service organization that was established to provide services to all the people of Indonesia who need support. An organization that wants to help the poor are the most common in this country stands. but the lack of sensitivity of the government to make a lot of people are falling into poverty, ignorance and chaos. services such as education. in big cities like Jakarta, there is a school building is not worth taking, flooding often makes the Indonesian economy was also affected. Health care still needs to be improved. injustice in schools and hospitals in this country is the government’s duty to have more responsibility to serve the people, not just self-serving.
5. Humorist
American
Comedy shows in America earlier rose to fame during the 90’s where the channel wants to show America a sitcom. This sitcom prefer stories about everyday life in the United States or a simple family in some office workers who always want to joke to one another. A comedy show that often we have seen such a situation comedy and stand up comedy was inspired by American comedy shows in the past. American society is also of the community who have a high sense of humor, as evidenced by the existence of several theaters that provide a stage in which there is a joke.
Indonesia
In this country people who have a sense of humor or love to make jokes usually happy with all the people and had many friends. Sense of humor is a good point to make others interested in ourselves. sense of humor is necessary for the people of Indonesia, given the range of issues raised in this country often makes it easy masyarakt emotions, stress and easily hurt. Therefore, humor is a requirement for Indonesia and will always be needed. even now many comedy events in Indonesia up to become a dedicated entertainment for everyone who may feel the boredom of work or activities.
6. American creed
American
American creed is the values and beliefs that became the philosophical basis for the United States system of law and government, including the Constitution. That is the reason why the American people are very proud of and loved his country. because they feel they have and they are very appreciative state law, and they feel part of the country. they realize the importance of mutual mengahargai others, is responsible for national defense, even daring to protect their country. love and respect for their country make a big impact for the progress of the nation. because there is no great nation without people who are willing to love and respect their country first. with a system of government in the U.S. is highly regulated and carried out in accordance with what the expectations of every society will progress of the nation.
Indonesia
Indonesia also has a national ideology that guides this nation to undergo the applicable rules in the nation “Pancasila”. There are five principles that govern society in which Indonesia to act in accordance with the ideals and hopes of the nation are contained in Pancasila. Pancasila values in the first fought by the freedom fighters, now eroded by technological advances that make this country love fades. Differences in religion, ethnicity, interests, and pluralism that characterizes this nation, now has brought little by little problem for the nation. it’s all supposed to be a means to unite the nation to unite this nation and any differences will be given the national struggle for independence, and the back has a love for the homeland.
7. The influence of the frontier
American
American government is very open to the community in advancing the welfare of the nation. U.S. government provides equal opportunity and an obligation to the American people and to the border in the United States as in the legal sector, social, economic, political, education. Therefore an advantage for the Americans because they have qualified human resources to support national development. availability of qualified human resources is supported by the existing infrastructure to make the country easier to become a developed and developing countries. in addition, the government did not hesitate to provide training to the community in mengembangkan sector efforts to advance the people’s economy in this nation.
Indonesia
Indonesia is also one of the developing countries in various sectors, especially in the natural resources are very rich. but the wealth of natural resources in Indonesia is not balanced with the human resources. many Indonesian people who live in coastal areas such as Lombok, NTT, which are extremely rich fisheries in the area are still less can be used, because there are still many people who do not enjoy school. and it’s become one of inhibiting the development of remote areas in Indonesia which makes Indonesia remains one of the “poor” compared with other countries in the world.
1. Materialism
American
Americans always try to do new innovations. They always try to make a number of objects or tools to assist them in completing their work. American people always try hard to gain their own money and it is a proof of success, though there are other proofs—prominence, public notice, good works, and fame. The materialism that strikes a visitor to America is not that of loving and hoarding wealth; it is a love of making and consuming wealth. There is no denying the fact that the high level of production does lead to a high level of material comfort, and that Americans are mighty fond of having things that are new, shiny, softly, padded, conveniently arranged, efficient, and so far as may be effortless. A sizeable portion of what it produces goes overseas, including agricultural and industrial machinery sent with the hope that standards of production and consumption can be raised in other parts of the world too.
Indonesian
Indonesian nation is a great nation. It is a slogan that is still a chore for the whole of Indonesia. There is no denying, this country has so many natural resources are abundant. a lot of things that can be processed and used for the welfare of others. Collecting objects that luxury has become a hobby “rich people”, they were able to spend the hundreds of millions of dollars just to buy a bag, purse, shoes or jewelry. Having a luxury car, and more than a tangible manifestation of prosperity in this country. Objects are not purchased from local product, but the product overseas which “they said” those are better qualified and more guarantees. We only enrich those who produce and do not care about the nation’s children to compete. There is no equality in this country there is social inequality that would not go away. Who has the most amount of material, he was in power.
2. The Ideal of Service
American
America is famous as a country that enjoys helping others in difficulty. They always come to countries affected by the disaster, the tsunami in Indonesia 2006 ago as an example. Not just a matter of natural occurrence, but also political, military, and health. Problems war in Afghanistan, nuclear in Iraq, Syria and the war today. Americans are always trying to help. They put a helping hand rather than retribution. For them, seeing them in distress finally smiled back a wonderful blessing.
Indonesian
As a country whose geographical elements often experience natural disasters, Indonesian people expected as most people care for others. First, we are known for our hospitality to other nations. But very unfortunately, at this time we are more selfish. Affected by natural disasters are our brothers a different island, but often other nations, Australia for example, first arrived at the disaster. Indeed, not all Indonesian people like that. However, it has become a scourge for us because it reflects our personal in the eyes of other nations. Sometimes we look at the benefits that will be obtained before helping others. If there is no profit to be gained, then the reason will reverberate as a subtle sign of rejection.
3. A Nation or Conformists?
American
Everyone knows that America is a nation of nations. Almost all ethnic groups in the world is collected in “American giant cauldron”, whether it’s white, black, brown, red and others living in this country. Although the first racial discrimination cases, but now let’s raise all our thumbs because they have removed all the differences of race and live in peace. America is a country of compromise. They receive all the difference and make it unique in their eyes.
Indonesian
What’s up with Indonesia? Shall we view differences as a normal thing? If you look at the day-to-day behavior, we are no longer a nation that respects the differences. Speaking the language of the area in front of the people who come from other areas is an honor. Though no one else who understands the sentence us. Particular tribe just hangs out with friends who have the same tribal status. Ugliness other tribes became a talk that we usually call “funny gossip”, and it has unwittingly offend them. Interfaith marriage rate is still a major taboo done. Young people are expected to marry a partner of the same tribe with the reason “preserve the bloodline”. So, Indonesia is a nation without compromise. Widespread acceptance is no longer happening here.
4. Mobility
American
Changing in the U.S. was significant. As time rolled on, all traces of life in this country was rolling. Economic, military, healthcare, and technology are growing rapidly. Mobility of people is indeed fast. They are always innovating and not afraid to try new things despite a failure at first. Americans are a people who are not afraid to get out of their comfort zone in order to achieve the latest masterpiece to the development of the nation. Not surprisingly, if the nation continues to grow and get stronger. Discipline, hard work, punctuality, not easily discouraged is the key.
Indonesia
Unlike the Americans, we are moving slowly. Our mobility is as if walking in a place from time to time. Generate new creativity is not followed by a quality to compete. The works we are more likely to imitate rather than innovate. If anything, the numbers we can count on one hand. The delay is a matter that has to be “reasonable”. Anyone who arrives on time instead be teasing. Dreams often hang in big cities like Jakarta. Thus developing cities in the country is only one, and other city looks “boring”. Society tends to move from a small town to the big city.
5. The Influence of the Frontier
American
The influence of the border is still very strong feel. From the beginning until now is still a cowboy themed movie we can find. Their fashion also has an element of that.
Indonesia
Border in Indonesia is very alarming. The lack of attention makes this region even more impressed ignored. In fact, our borders, East Kalimantan, for example, has the quality of a good economy and are not used to the maximum and right on target.
6. American Creed
American
Any trust is very understandable in this country. Whatever faith you profess, you will not be at the protest and judged. Even the result of too free, people who do not have any belief is not a strange thing. The most important credo is to believe in yourself.
Indonesian
Religion is one of the main pillars of the nation. It was stated in the five precepts of the Pancasila. Unlike the Americans, religion and beliefs that are acceptable only slightly. Atheists are people who are not welcome in this country.
7. Humor
American
American humor refers collectively to the conventions and common threads that tie together humor in the United States. Humor usually concerns aspects of American culture, and depends on the historical and current development of the country’s culture.The founders of modern American stand-up comedy include Jack Benny, Bob Hope, George Burns, Fred Allen, Milton Berle and Frank Fay all of whom came from vaudeville. They spoke directly to the audience as themselves, in front of the curtain, known as performing “in one”.
Indonesian
There are so many events of humor on television which is can be used as a solution to release the feeling bored, angry, bored, etc. Such as “Operva Van Java”, “Extravaganza”, and the new-fresh “Stand Up Comedy”. Besides, the artists of humor in Indonesia, usually have a unique characteristic as their character on television show. Moreover, if we see the comedians now even more widely used in both hosted and filmed humor. The first Indonesian humor are “Ketoprak”, “Ludruk”, “puppet”, and more. Following the development and interests of the audience, the humor was developed and new every time.
America and Indonesia have their own unique character traits in any areas. For instance, America is one of the big countries with high population. However, Indonesia is one of the developing countries. There are the differences between America and Indonesia character traits such as Success as a goal, Materialism, The Ideal service, a Nation of conformists, Mobility, The Influence of The Frontier, The America Creed and Humor. In this short essay, I would like to compare about it.
In America, success as a goal is not important about the material rewards, but recognition of some sorts—preferably measurable. The Puritan belief in the virtue of work, the equal opportunity every individual has to compete for success; the nonexistence of ranks and classes in the society, and the rich opportunity one can find in the country are the most important. Americans are ready to work hard to get a success as a goal for their life, even though they will competition with other people around them. However, in Indonesia, success as a goal is important for their life because they can live happily with it. Indonesian are likely to work hard but it different with American, Indonesian prefer work as harmony to competition. In addition, there are some of them like become a competition to get a good position in their work. But some of them are not like to work hard and prefer luxury life to simple life.
The Materialism in America, materialism has its good and bad points. It is a trend that paints the American picture. It gives a perception of wealth and prosperity. Materialism in America pushes and pulls at most of us. It pushes us to work harder and achieve more. However, the achievements are thin and meaningless when compared to the great accomplishments life has to offer. Getting married and starting a family are two major life changes that many put on hold because the situation is not perfect. Owning a home was often a goal for young couples to achieve before having children. The increasing power of materialism has taken that simple plan and magnified it. Now that same young couple will keep waiting until they have the right house in a prestigious neighborhood. Those points in life that give it true meaning are held back by the desire to be measured against a ruler that is constantly changing. On the other hand, in Indonesia, materialism, idealism, and relativism significantly influenced whether benefits were created from actively engaging in some questionable activities (DELEGAL). Analytical results indicated that Indonesians with high materialism and relativism were more likely to engage in actions that were questionable but legal.
The Ideal service in America, everyone has their ideal service for their own life. For instance, every American always becomes friendly to other people and overseas people. They want to show how they are ideal to their country America. However, The Christian command, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is frequently invoked. A disaster, whether at home or abroad, invariably brings forth a flood of voluntary contributions, The necessity for mutual aid in the first settlements and on the frontier may have passed, but the response is still there. On the other hand, in Indonesia the ideal service is When large parts of Indonesia was under Dutch colonial occupation until 1940s, police duties were performed by either military establishments or colonial police known as the veldpolitie or the field police. Japanese occupation during WW II brought changes when the Japanese formed various armed organizations to support their war. This had led to the distribution of weapons to military trained youths, which were largely confiscated from the Dutch armory. After the Japanese occupation, the national police became an armed organization. The Indonesian police was established in 1946, and its units fought in the Indonesian National Revolution against the invading Dutch forces. The police also participated in suppressing the 1948 communist revolt in Madiun. In 1966, the police was brought under the control of Armed Forces Chief. Following the proclamation of independence, the police played a vital role when they actively supported the people’s movement to dismantle the Japanese army, and to strengthen the defense of the newly created Republic of Indonesia. The police were not combatants who were required to surrender their weapons to the Allied Forces. During the revolution of independence, the police gradually formed into what is now known as Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia (Polri) or the Indonesian National Police. In 2000, the police force officially regained its independence and now is separate from the military.
In America a Nation of conformists is depend on the people. It means that every American should filter whatever new culture comes to their country. For instance, overseas visitors are constantly surprise to find employees and employers calling each other by their first name, and some of them do not like it. They think it shows lack of respect. But Americans do not want respect; they want to be liked. Liking does not readily climb the walls of class or caste. So the walls come down. However, in Indonesia a Nation of conformists is Indonesia’s size and ethnic diversity has made national identity problematic and debated. Identity is defined at many levels: by Indonesian citizenship; by recognition of the flag, national anthem, and certain other songs; by recognition of national holidays; and by education about Indonesia’s history and the Five Principles on which the nation is based. Ethnic relations in the archipelago have long been a concern. Indonesian leaders recognized the possibility of ethnic and regional separatism from the beginning of the republic.
Mobility in America has two aspects of economic mobility in the United States. The first is the question of intergenerational mobility, or the degree to which the economic success of children is independent of the economic status of their parents. A higher level of intergenerational mobility is often interpreted as a sign of greater fairness, or equality of opportunity, in a society. The second aspect is the short-term question of the amount by which family incomes change from year to year. By studying short-term mobility we can determine whether incomes are rising or falling for families at different points in the income distribution. We can also determine whether the size of these income variations, or the level of annual income volatility, is changing over time. Increased volatility is undesirable to the extent that it represents an increase in economic insecurity. On the other hand, mobility in Indonesia is an island nation, but fish plays a relatively small part in the diets of the many people who live in the mountainous interiors, though improved transportation makes more salted fish available to them. Refrigeration is still rare, daily markets predominate, and the availability of food may depend primarily upon local produce. Indonesia is rich in tropical fruit, but many areas have few fruit trees and little capacity for timely transportation of fruit. Cities provide the greatest variety of food and types of markets, including modern supermarkets; rural areas much less so. In cities, prosperous people have access to great variety while the poor have very limited diets, with rice predominant and meat uncommon. Some poor rural regions experience what people call “ordinary hunger” each year before the corn and rice harvest.
The Influence of The Frontier in America is sharply distinguished from the European frontier, a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile. The term is an elastic one, and for our purposes doesn’t need sharp definition. We shall consider the whole frontier belt including the Indian country and the outer margin of the “settled area” of the census reports. On the other hand, The Influence of The Frontier in Indonesia, one important aspect of change during Suharto’s “New Order” regime (1968–1998) was the rapid urbanization and industrial production on Java, where the production of goods for domestic use and export expanded greatly. The previous imbalance in production between Java and the Outer Islands is changing, and the island now plays an economic role in the nation more in proportion to its population. Though economic development between 1968 and 1997 aided most people, the disparity between rich and poor and between urban and rural areas widened, again particularly on Java. The severe economic downturn in the nation and the region after 1997, and the political instability with the fall of Suharto, drastically reduced foreign investment in Indonesia, and the lower and middle classes, particularly in the cities, suffered most from this recession.
The America Creed, according to William Tyler Page says that I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. On the other side, in Indonesia, Though the Republic of Indonesia is only fifty years old, Indonesian societies have a long history during which local and wider cultures were formed. About 200 C.E. , small states that were deeply influenced by Indian civilization began to develop in Southeast Asia, primarily at estuaries of major rivers. The next five hundred to one thousand years saw great states arise with magnificent architecture. Hinduism and Buddhism, writing systems, notions of divine kingship, and legal systems from India were adapted to local scenes. Sanskrit terms entered many of the languages of Indonesia. Hinduism influenced cultures throughout Southeast Asia, but only one people are Hindu, the Balinese.
In America humor, many people assess humor and the funny using the same litmus test employed by Justice Potter Stewart in the 1964 obscenity case “Jacobellis v. Ohio.” In regards to hard-core pornography, Stewart famously stated “I know it when I see it.” While I have no knowledge of Justice Stewart’s expertise in this particular subject, I do tend to think that the ability to make snap judgments stems from experience. That is one reason why so many of us feel capable of instantly ascertaining what is funny and what is not. We’ve spent our whole lives laughing, so we believe that we know it when we see it. Humor is the great reliever of tension, the counterbalance to the dash and roar of our fast-paced industrialized life with its whirring machines, traffic snarls and frayed tempers. Humor shows these vary things to us in such a way that we can laugh about them. On the other hand, humor in Indonesia is comedy as a long tradition in local cultures such as Ketoprak in East Java, Lenong in Jakarta, and Berbalas Pantun in North Sumatera. The most popular form of stage comedy in Indonesia is comedy troupes doing skits or sketches, usually following a simple storyline and improvised by all actors. Among the comedic elements involved are banters, physical humour, cross-dressing, and socio-political commentary. Examples of popular comedy groups are Srimulat, Jayakarta, Kwartet Jaya, Bagito, Warkop DKI, Patrio, and SQL.
1. HUMOR
American
They are similar. However, some critics consider that the first is usually based in social situations, mishaps and language misunderstandings while the second is based on personalized situations and inventive outcomes from harmful situations. I prefer Indonesian humor to American humor because it neither pretends to be aristocratic nor places itself at a particular intellectual level, but rather appeals to the base instincts of all human conditions. It is both sweet and agile in its simple elegance.
American humor is quite distinctive. It’s a dry sense of humor emphasizing the wit or saying silly things in a serious way. It is often a mix of wit, irony, sarcasm sometimes conundrum and repartee. Irony is the common type where they use words to express something completely different from the literal meaning. e.g. “I don’t want to win the rat race, because I’m not a rat!” Repartee is another type often used with clever replies and retorts e.g. “Why do cows wear bells? Their horns don’t work”; “Why did the bald man paint rabbits on his head? Because from a distance they looked like hares!” These types of humor can sometime perceived as rude/unkind when one is not familiar with it. I fell in love with some rather old English comedy sitcoms such Only Fools and Horses, Faulty Tower, and The Rising Damp, Hilarious characters, Classic.
Indonesian
In contrary, Indonesian humor is more of slapstick. It relies a lot on being very expressive in both gesture and language. A lot of nonsenseism too. Trick played on another person and the humor comes from what happens. Often times questions and answers about absurdity without realistic logic. e.g “Biji apa yang suka nempel di dinding ? answer: Bijinya Spiderman” (what type of cock attached to walls ? answer: Spiderman’s cock). Another one : “Apa persamaan Pangeran Diponegorro dan Cut Nya Dien ?” Answer:sama-sama nggak punya hand-phone!” (What similarities did Pangeran Diponegoro share with Cut Nya Dien ? answer: Both of them didn’t have mobile phones !) Pangeran Diponegoro & Cut Nyadien were two heroic figures during the national struggle against colonialism, when no basic telephone system existed, let alone mobile one. That sort of absolute non-sense. It’s funny only if you could relate to it.
Hyperbole is another common form of an Indonesian humor I think. This is when you exaggerate things to the extreme. I remember a comedian group called Srimulat or Jayakarta group (with Jojon and Cs) which was really popular in the 80s. We used to laugh our heads off when seeing them on TV. I could giggle still if I imagine Jojon’s face, his silliness, funny facial expressions and language use Comic genius. It’s smarter than a mere clown playing trick or foolish behavior.
2. Materialism
American
American believes that money equals a better life. Materialism, like capitalism, is a defining factor of the American way of life. As with all things, materialism has its good and bad points. It is a trend that paints the American picture. It gives a perception of wealth and prosperity. However, it is commonly a shallow depiction of reality. The possession of things does not equate to financially stability. Regardless of how it is viewed, it defines us, motivates us, and moves our economy more than any other custom. Americans do not like to be called materialistic because they feel that is unfairly accuses them of loving only material things and of having no religious values. In fact, most Americans do have other values and ideals. Americans are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Indonesian
Negativism materialism increasingly apparent burst in this country because of the gap between rich and poor people who have an abundance of incredible wealth with those who are still in poverty because of structural backwardness and ignorance are almost never addressed / resolved by the government of this country.
In this era of globalization, what is happening “out there” know quickly “here”. Rich people or those who are well off in this country would not want to meet their material needs better standards ever seen them. While on the other side of the country is still largely populated by people who are still lack and suffered because of poverty.
Feudalistic culture that began in the Javanese kings and colonial system running since hundreds of years ago which still flourished in the minds of many members of the Indonesian people have a big hand in developing a discordant symphony of materialism in this country. The establishment of a system of government and tyranny for more than thirty years in collaboration with the values of the feudal culture was greatly preserving the discordant symphony.
With the inclusion of new elements / modern in governing the community and often we are familiar with democracy and individual freedom in this country then the values of life in this country to be ambiguous. On the one hand, freedom and democracy encourages ordinary people who lack proficiency in state-governing and spreading to power. In the end all want to be rich because it was too long to be in material poverty. The main purpose to power / rule is because there is no money billions, even trillions, dollars (circumstances when there is food being contested in a gang). Javanese expression “kere munggah mbale, petruk dadi ratu” is suitable for the situation. This is a very strong impression in our political life in the land today. Though of course there are people there are of good quality as a statesman and the government, but too little compared to the “termites” swarm greedy undermine “the buildings of state institutions / government” thereby collapsing (rates itself as an authoritative state institutions). An example is the House of Representatives today. It is very worrying. This rich country destroyed by materialistic morality held by the majority of the nation, without any significant improvement by the government.
3. Mobility
American
As Americans are more likely to move out of the population of most countries in the world, it has become a unique and possibly disturbing trend. It is important for home owners, job seekers and industry .There are many reasons for this. Among them, the people who find it difficult to sell their homes, they can not find jobs in the area where they plan to move or they are not interested in moving to work when it affects a stable job or a spouse in the position they are today.
Many also find that they simply can not afford to move, although the move will offer them new opportunities. This has helped to maintain a high level of unemployment in many parts of the country with no visible changes in the future.
Indonesian
Population mobility to the city in Indonesia has increased rapidly, as shown by the urban growth rate is very high, mainly in the period 1980 – 1990 is at 7.85 percent per year. Urban population growth rate dropped to 2.01 percent in the period 1990 to 2000, but as the percentage of the population living in cities is increasing. According to the population census Indonesia shows, especially the urban population in Indonesia in 1980 amounted to 22.38 percent, an increase of 35.91 per cent widened in 1990. Ten years later (in 2000), the urban population of Indonesia has reached 42.43 percent. Special Capital Region (DKI) Jakarta is the main destination for the offender population mobility. In period years 1980 – 1990 3.08 percent population growth per year, then dropped to 0.14 percent per year period 1990 to 2000.
In general, the current Jakarta facing many problems in society as a result of inability to resource carrying capacity of cities facing rapid population growth, particularly the entry of permanent and non-permanent workers in large-scale and long-lasting. Nonetheless, efforts to overcome or reduce the problem should still be pursued. Efforts to overcome the problems of Jakarta as a result of the inclusion of non-permanent migrants who come from different areas, of course, must involve both macro policies at national and regional levels, in addition to policies that are micro or specific.
4. The Ideal of Service
American
In America public service has relied on information and communication technology. That is, all of the public services accessible to all citizens in an integrated quickly. Service system known as e-government system. Major objective of e-government system is to create good governance, where government services are transparent, accountable and corruption-free. E-government system is essentially the process of utilization of information and communication technology as a tool to help the way the system of government and public services more effectively and efficiently.
Indonesian
Implementation of e-government system in Indonesia is still halfway through and still far below the standard of the ideal and desired. In order to achieve ideal conditions, should be perfecting the concept and strategy of implementation of e-government system from all sides. Reflecting Sragen already implemented e-government system in the governance of the District to the Village, be evidence that information and communication technology can be applied in Indonesia and became the most important means of improved governance. In the application of e-Government to improve the quality of care within the local government, the problem can be seen from two sides, from the government and society. From the government side constraints that can be identified is the quantity and quality of human resources, facilities and infrastructure, the operational budget. Meanwhile, the constraint of the public is thinking about information technology.
5. The Influence of the Frontier
America
The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile. The term is an elastic one, and for our purposes does not need sharp definition. We shall consider the whole frontier belt including the Indian country and the outer margin of the “settled area” of the census reports. This paper will make no attempt to treat the subject exhaustively; its aim is simply to call attention to the frontier as a fertile field for investigation, and to suggest some of the problems which arise in connection with it.
Indonesia
Indonesia has the most extensive territory no territorial ambitions to seize the territory of another country. This is very different from neighboring Malaysia who never ceases to expand its territory by recognizing the islands in dispute and shift peg border as practiced by Malaysia to Indonesia where land border points Indonesia Malaysia on Borneo Island is always shifted by Malaysia.
As a result of the illegal activities those territories Malaysia Indonesia Malaysia narrower while the broader region. The latest development in the concept of maritime strategy Malaysia (by building at least three naval bases in the Gulf Sepanggar, Sandakan and Tawau) shows that they are getting serious “head east” aka the waters between Borneo and Sulawesi. Location of the border dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia has a long, in Kalimantan alone there are at least ten locations covering an area of 4800 hectares borders unilaterally claimed by Malaysia.
6. American Creed
American
The American’s Creed was a result of a nationwide contest for writing a National Creed, which would be a brief summary of the American political faith founded upon things fundamental in American history and tradition. American believes in equality. American goals are set and do not need to be debated; we have only to work hard in order to reach them. To create, to build to clear a new field, sink a new mine, start a new civic organization, develop a new business this is what they dream of. Like all creators, they are suspicious of critics. Americans are active participants rather than passive observers; they feel obliged to defend the country against any outside censures, no matter how bitterly they attack its shortcomings themselves.
Indonesian
“Pancasila” as is the official philosophical foundation of the Indonesian state. It contains five sila or principles of Indonesians’ values and characters have clearly explained the requirement for a belief in the all-oneness of God. In Indonesia there are five acknowledged religions; Islam, Christian, Catholic, Buddha, and Hindu. The government gives freedom to people in choosing their faith. If someone chooses religion is outside of acknowledged religions, then people will regard the religion as heresy. In addition, people will censure someone who has not faith or atheist.
Indonesia is known well as orient culture. Different from American, Indonesian credo is about prioritizing civilized manners such a shame, mutual aid (gotong royong), respect, and uphold national unity. Gotong royong or mutual aid is a conception of sociality familiar to large parts of Indonesia.
7. Success as a Goal
American
A culture’s sense of time is the importance given in that culture to the past, present or future. In a culture that is past-oriented, it is believed that man should look to tradition and precedent as a model for living today. A present-oriented culture believes that the present is everything and you should enjoy today with little concern for tomorrow. Finally, a culture that is future-oriented has a belief that planning and goal-setting make it possible for man to succeed. Most Western cultures are future-oriented with a very strong belief that organization, planning and goal achievement are the cornerstones of success. This is so important to some cultures that people from other cultures perceive them as being obsessive. For example, Americans are often seen as workaholics, placing the importance of success and goal accomplishment over that of personal relationships.
Indonesian
There is a wide gap between the way that mainstream Indonesian culture and most Western cultures view the sense of time. While Western cultures look to the future, the Indonesian culture is generally past-oriented. For instance, while most Indonesians have a keen perception of time, it is often focused on the past and includes an interest in heirlooms and a regard for ceremonies, rituals, history, and pedigrees.
Indonesia has a particularly colorful and often glorious past. Three of the major kingdoms in Southeast Asian history had their capitals in what is now Indonesia. Buddhist Sriwijaya, Hindu Majapahit and the great Muslim Sultanate of Mataram still have strong cultural influences on modern Indonesia. All three of these kingdoms held sway over most of what is now present-day Indonesia and some received tribute from as far away as present-day Thailand and Cambodia. When Indonesia gained independence after centuries of colonial domination, it seemed natural that its culture would look to the glories of the past as a guide for the future.
1. MATERIALISM
America
Many Americans are fed the idea from youth that having a house, a car, a good paying job, and a family is the ultimate pinnacle to reach within American society. Americans who achieve this position in life honestly believe that they have obtained the highest level of success within our culture. The truth is that even though a lot of people actually do occupy this kind of position, many of them have come to define this form of success through a materialistic world view.
Many people honestly believe that having a family isn’t possible without having material goods to accompany this type of lifestyle. They are right from the sense that each family must have their own shelter, pay their own bills, and be able to supply their own food. The problem is how much of an emphasis that Americans place on the material aspect of the American dream. In other words does everyone really need a house, 2 cars, a dog, and a white picket fence in order to have a family and to live a good life?
Americans use the material goods that they possess as the measuring stick for greatness. The more money an individual has then the higher up in the social order they will go. Many people believe that when they get money and can afford the material possessions that reveals their economic position; they expect for the rest of society to treat them according to their new found status. This is not a bad thing, but the problems that arise from this way of thinking is that too much emphasis is being placed on the material and the “imposed importance” that it brings.
Indonesia
In Indonesia where half of the population live in poverty and getting enough to eat is more important than anything else, intrinsic values deemed as conducive to elevating humanity seemed profound. Religion plays a significant role in every aspects of Indonesian life. The teachings of religion become inner substance-fostering system that prevents inclination towards materialism. Indonesians, especially Jakarta’s society however has undergone abrupt, layered changes and there is a struggle to find one’s place, to stake one’s claim as they are finding their feet with the impact of globalisation, advances in media and technology, and in coping with dynamic economic changes. As a whole, the greatest fracture is the tension between religious traditions and a social condition in which the superficial appearance becomes more important than the inner substance.
Studies suggest that people from less economically developed nations tend to emphasise on materialistic goals (of which brand consciousness being one of the characteristics) than those of economically developed nations. It holds true in Indonesia. Materialism is apparent among the expanding middle-class living in urban areas. As soon as people get a leg up, they start buying by labels and showing off their new wealth. Differ from West European countries, for instance, where average citizen is concerned, consumerism is relatively subdued, focused more on value, functionality or practicality.
2. THE IDEAL OF SERVICE
America
When Volunteers of America was founded in 1896, volunteerism derived from a military context and to “volunteer” one’s time in service to others was a full-time commitment. Our founders, Maud and Ballington Booth, and other early members of our organization came to call themselves Volunteers of America because they volunteered their whole lives to help people in need. This included not only volunteering their time but also their hearts, their spirits and their professional prosperity.
Indonesia
The tradition of volunteering in Indonesia is often reflected in the spirit of Gotong Royong (Working Together). This is deeply embedded in Indonesian society and culture. It is manifested by building a house for the most vulnerable; building a mosque in the most remote areas; helping a family in need; jointly preparing for the planting season; or providing support in times of natural disasters. It is also manifested by communities sharing and participating in cultural ceremonies, such as birth celebrations, weddings and funerals.
3. A NATION OF CONFORMISTS
America
Americans like to see themselves as rugged individualists, a nation defined by the idea that people should set their own course through life. Think of Clint Eastwood rendering justice, rule-bound superiors be damned. Think of Frank Sinatra singing “My Way.”
The idea that personal liberty defines America is deeply rooted, and shared across the political spectrum. The lifestyle radicals of the ’60s saw themselves as heirs to this American tradition of self-expression; today, it energizes the Tea Party movement, marching to defend individual liberty from the smothering grasp of European-style collectivism.
Indonesia
While the United States debates what multiculturalism is, what it should be, and whether it is even a desirable goal, Indonesia appears to have gone a long way towards conceptualizing and implementing a national vision of multi-ethnic coexistence. “Unity in Diversity” (Bhinneka Tunggall Ika) was proclaimed the national motto of newly-independent Indonesia when it served the bonds of Dutch colonial rule at the end of World War II. The motto, drawn from Sanskrit and attributed to rulers of the Majapahit Empire (a Javanese polity of the 14th century), evokes ancient ties between Javanese and other powerful Asian Kingdoms.
4.MOBILITY
America
Socio-economic mobility in the United States refers to the movement of Americans from one social class or economic level to another, often by changing jobs or marrying. This vertical mobility can be the change in socioeconomic status between parents and children (inter-generational); or over the course of a lifetime (intra-generational). It typically refers to relative mobility the chance that an American’s income/status will rise or fall compared to others in another income/status group but can also be absolute whether and by how much living standards in America have increased.
Indonesia
The experiences of population mobility in the archipelago underscore the continuing importance of social stratification in Indonesia. In 1992 the definition and function of social classes in Indonesia, however, was a matter of considerable controversy. Scholars and policy analysts debated the degree to which social classes could be defined in ethnic, economic, religious, or political terms. Although few would dispute that Indonesia was a highly stratified society, it was nonetheless difficult to identify an “upper class.” Hereditary ruling classes and traditional elites- -reinforced by their positions in the Dutch colonial bureaucracy– no longer possessed unchallenged access to political power and wealth. Indeed, they could not even claim to be an elite culture in the late twentieth century. The powerful generals (mostly Javanese) and capitalists (mostly ethnic Chinese capitalists–cukong) of the postindependence period were newcomers to their positions, and, apart from extravagant conspicuous consumption, they demonstrated few clear institutional and cultural patterns that suggested they were a unitary group in the early 1990s.
5. THE INFLUENCE OF THE FRONTIER
America
The cry resounds throughout the whole of Euro-American history as immigrants moved from their initial, fragile settlements along the Atlantic Coast towards the lure of ever greener, richer, and emptier lands to the West. Although for much of the early part of settlement, European immigrants did not know exactly how much West there was, they wanted all of it, and this drive towards the Manifest Destiny – the idea that U.S. territorial expansion westward was not only inevitable but even divinely ordained – was a consuming force for much of the 18th and 19th centuries. This paper examines how both the reality and the idea of the western frontier influenced American society and institutions during the years 1600 to 1830, and how its influence differed from that of the ocean.
From the vantage point of the 20th century, the metaphor of the frontier seems at least as important as the reality of unsettled land (if not even more so). But this may only be the case because all one now has left is the idea of the frontier, not having had any actual land left for westward expansion for over a century. Certainly, for the farmer or rancher in 1720 or 1820, the possibility of cheap land to be had just over into the next territory could mean the difference between personal success and disaster.
Indonesia
Sumatra is a vast and understudied island with a population of 43 million people divided into a variety of ethnic groups. Apart from William Marsden’s great study of 1783, few serious historical works deal with Sumatra’s history, and even fewer attempt to describe that history as a coherent whole. Sumatra’s rich resources of land and minerals, and its enterprising people, have made it the prosperous frontier of the Archipelago. But the island’s people, most of whom were stateless highlanders until the 20th century, were politically united only by the rule of Dutch Batavia and Indonesian Jakarta. Sumatrans have a tradition of defying central authority, and the Acehnese are once again, as in Dutch times, kept in the nation only by force.
6. THE AMERICAN CREED
A creed based upon cornerstone truths the founders believed “self-evident.” From the earliest days, the survival of the new republic hinged not merely upon the expression of these grand principles of liberty and equality but upon their spiritual underpinnings. Freedom and faith were intertwined. America, as a foreign observer once put it, is a nation with the soul of a church.
Forrest Church charts the progress of this creed from the America’s beginnings to the present day by evoking those whose words-whether in declarations, songs, inaugural addresses, speeches, or prayers-have expressed its letter and captured its spirit. What emerges is our shared destiny. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream that this country might someday “rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed,” echoes Thomas Jefferson’s belief that “equal and exact justice to all” is the “creed of our political faith.” Our connection with the past represents our commitment to the future and vice versa. A “spiritual and patriotic primer,” The American Creed distills the essence of American history while also matching its sweep. Church lets the story of the Declaration of Independence unfold before our eyes, giving us both the big picture and the details that place it into brilliant focus. Those steeped in our nation’s heritage will find fresh insight and renewed purpose. Those still discovering its
Indonesia
The first principle of Indonesia’s philosophical foundation, Pancasila, is: “belief in the one and only God”. A number of different religions are practiced in the country, and their collective influence on the country’s political, economic and cultural life is significant. The Indonesian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. However, the government only recognizes six official religions (Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism). Indonesian law requires that every Indonesian citizen hold an identity card that identifies that person with one of these six religions, although citizens may be able to leave that section blank. Indonesia does not recognize agnosticism or atheism, and blasphemy is illegal. With many different religions practiced in Indonesia, conflicts between followers of different religions arise periodically. Moreover, Indonesia’s political leadership has played an important role in the relations between groups, both positively and negatively, including the Transmigration Program, which has caused a number of conflicts in the eastern region of the country.
7. HUMOR
America
American humor refers collectively to the conventions and common threads that tie together humor in the United States. It is often defined in comparison to the humor of another country for example, how it is different from British humour and Canadian humor. It is, however, difficult to say what makes a particular type or subject of humor particularly American. Humor usually concerns aspects of American culture, and depends on the historical and current development of the country’s culture. The extent to which an individual will personally find something humorous obviously depends on a host of absolute and relative variables, including, but not limited to geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, and context. People of different countries will therefore find different situations funny. Just as American culture has many aspects which differ from other nations, these cultural differences may be a barrier to how humor translates to other countries.
American humor might also be distinguished by its most common type of humor, for example, more slapstick and physical comedy. There is less emphasis on understatement, and so the humor tends to be more open, rather than satirizing the social system through exaggeration. American humor prefers more observational techniques. However, the style of observational humor (while not exclusively American) is very much a staple of the American style of humor since it seeks to point out the aspects of American culture and social discourse which are obvious while at the same time highlighting their ridiculousness.
Indonesia
Indonesian comedy has a long tradition in local cultures, for example Ketoprak in East Java, Lenong in Jakarta, and Berbalas pantun in North Sumatra. The most popular form of stage comedy in Indonesia is comedy troupes doing skits or sketches, usually following a simple storyline and improvised by all actors. Among the comedic elements involved are banters, physical humour, cross-dressing, and socio-political commentary. Examples of popular comedy groups are Srimulat, Jayakarta, Kwartet Jaya, Bagito, Warkop DKI.
1. MATERIALISM
AMERICAN
The materialism in America is a love of making and consuming wealth. They struggled hard, went without, and saved in order to build up a business or buy a farm of their own. In America the acquisition of money is important as the clearest proof of success, though there are other proofs—prominence, public notice, good works, and fame. But the retention of money is not important at all for Americans. It may be frowned upon if it keeps the owner from living well, subscribing generously to a long list of charities, and providing for members of the family who may have been less fortunate.
America has been blessed with a rich supply of raw materials. Americans made to use its wealth to benefit the majority. As a result, the high level of production does lead to a high level of material comfort, and that Americans are mighty fond of having things that are new, shiny, softly, padded, conveniently arranged, efficient, and so far as may be effortless.
INDONESIAN
Different from America, Materialism in Indonesia is loving and hoarding wealth. People struggle hard in competing to get wealth. Some people hoard wealth while they regard the poor as “useless”. Corruption is can be seen as proof that Indonesians loving and hoarding wealth. The officials in Government who are already rich keep enhancing wealth through foul way, while others people still poor.
The acquisition of money is important as the clearest proof of success, the difference from America is the retention of money is important at all for Indonesians. They will keep themselves to stay rich. It is related to prestige and social status. Someone can be said as upper class when he has good car, luxurious house, and high life style. When he gets wealth, then he will get honor at the same time. Besides, materialism and impulsive attitude has been encouraging people addicted to hand phone. Hand phone not only is used for communication tool, but also as a status symbol. In other words, Indonesian loves creating something in which he could be respected and regarded as upper class in society.
Indonesia has been blessed with rich natural resources such as mining of coal and gold, petroleum, and etc. Unfortunately, Indonesia fails to use its wealth to benefit the majority. As a result, the low level of production does not lead to a high level of material comfort. So it is not wondering many people living in low level of material comfort such as people who live along the banks of the river and people who are willing jostle in the public transportation. That is the differences between materialism in America and Indonesia. Americans are mighty fond of having things that are new, shiny, softly, padded, conveniently arranged, efficient, and so far as may be effortless. While, in Indonesia only the people who have money can get things like those.
2. THE IDEAL OF SERVICE
AMERICAN
Americans’ service is about their generosity and a concern to help people who have not been so richly blessed with material goods. A disaster, whether at home or abroad, invariably brings forth a flood of voluntary contributions, The necessity for mutual aid in the first settlements and on the frontier may have passed, but the response is still there.
Service as an ideal has spread out into many branches of American life. More and more the institutions of a community are expected to participate the needs of the citizen, and to make possible a healthier, happier, richer life. In addition, people can find any production of services such as a daily diaper service for the new infant, a carwash, a clipping for your poodle in the yellow pages in the back of every telephone book list hundreds of the offerings.
While the supermarkets have been moving in the direction of self-service in exchange for lower prices, smaller enterprise have sprung up to supply whom service to those who want it, especially to the many people who now live in rural or suburban areas.
INDONESIAN
The government concern to help people in getting health and education service. Recently, the governor of DKI Jakarta has launched “Jakarta smart card” and “Jakarta healthy card”. These make people in Jakarta get health and education service at low price.
However, Indonesians’ generosity and a concern to help people who have not been so richly blessed with material good become something that is questionable when corruption is rampant into Indonesian branches life. We can see from cases when placemen, prosecutor, judge, police, principal were arrested because of corruption. Moreover, Security service in Indonesia is far from “ideal”. Different from Americans that are familiar with emergency call 911, Indonesians are lack information is available to the public in the interest of public safety that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance.
3. A NATION OF CONFORMISTS
AMERICAN
American life most visitors agree on is its conformity. Because they had to establish traditions, because they had to absorb millions of people from diverse cultures, Americans tended to insist upon conformity in fundamentals. Americans like a man who gets along well with his competitors as well as with his employees and colleagues, and one whose traits of character conform to our ideal of the warm, friendly, adaptable, cooperative personality.
The American wants to be known as a good guy. It is important to him to be well regarded and one of the reasons why he forms so many clubs and fraternities is so that he may be sure of being surrounded by a comfortable group whose mutual membership pledges them above all things to like each other.
Most Americans respect work and is quite willing to work with his own hands, he really fears no barrier of clash between himself and the waiters who serve him or the boss who give him his orders. Overseas visitors are constantly surprise to find employees and employers calling each other by their first name, and some of them do not like it. They think it shows lack of respect. But Americans do not want respect; they want to be liked. Liking does not readily climb the walls of class or caste. So the walls come down.
INDONESIAN
Indonesian life promotes morality and conformity. Woman although “equal partners to men” should perform two roles both in the home and public sphere. Good women were constructed as good wives and mother while bad women were constructed as (politically and sexually) independent women. Therefore, women who lose their husband are blamed for not being able to keep their husband. They are not only made to feel bad, but also to feel like bad wives. As a result, women who are divorced have negative meaning in Indonesian mind.
Along with unity and conformity to society’s rules, honor and respect for the individual is the basis of Indonesian culture. Different from America, Indonesians love respect. It is not acceptable behavior when someone calling other who are older than him by their first name. Likewise, people do not like employees and employers calling each other by their first name. In addition, looking someone straight in the eyes is considered staring and Indonesians do not like it. Prolonged eye contact may be viewed as a challenge and may cause anger.
4. MOBILITY
AMERICAN
Americans accept change, not only as something that happens to them but as something they do to the environment. As Clyde Kluckhohn has observed, men meet a crises by changing either the environment or themselves. The east has generally chosen the latter course, the West, the former. Americans seem to take particular delight in such changes—in removing a mountain to make a road straight, diverting rivers so as to change desert into farmland, replacing hand labor with automatic machinery, and then creating an industry out of recreation itself in order to give new outlets for increased leisure and to employ those who would otherwise be idled by automation
INDONESIAN
It is difficult for Indonesians to accept a change, not only as something that happens to them but as something they do to the environment. For example, because of the flooding, government has provided housing projects / flats for people living along the banks of Ciliwung, but people do not want to move to the house. Ironically, although people know that Jakarta is often flooded, they do not change their behavior that is keep littering the river. In addition, changes in Indonesia are running slow. It can be seen from the problems in Jakarta such as flood, traffic jam, and poverty. The problems still the same over the years. Another example, not only something that happens in the environment but also in education. When English is taught in over the world as international language, some people in Indonesia regard that using English in school is not seen as nationalism. Moreover, some people resist public schools as international school. Indonesians should more realize to reality that now we live in era globalization.
Mobility in Indonesia is closely related to the things that are regarded valuable in society such as wealth, power, honor, and knowledge. As a result, there is layer society as upper, middle, and lower class. Ownership of those things will make someone places upper class. Mobility in Indonesia is about achieving a certain status. People who have wealth, then that person will be included in upper class. Likewise people who have power and knowledge will be respected in society. In other hand, economic factor as poverty and lack of access to education can obstruct the mobility. Therefore, hard work is needed in achieving social status.
5. THE INFLUENCE OF THE FRONTIER
AMERICAN
The frontier experience in America, so strong in its impact, the hard conditions of the daily life made for crudeness in manners but the frontiers fostered positive results too. It encouraged energetic activity and dignified labor with the hands. It made of the independent, self- reliant farmer a symbol, which still influences our national life. It produced a resourceful, inquisitive, practical-minded type, able to turn his hand to any sort of work, preferring to govern himself in small, easily manageable communities, inventive, quickly adaptable to a new environment, relatively free of class distinctions, full of optimism and faith in the country which had rewarded him so well.
Men must learn to size each other up quickly, to judge by deeds rather than by reputation or family background. A man coming into a new community must have a friendly manner if he wants to make friends, and he needs friends in order to get along. This quick friendliness, often regarded as insincere by foreigners, remains a spontaneous habit. All relationships, Americans feel, should have something of love or friendship in them. We do not make a strong distinction, common in some countries, between a few close friends and the rest of mankind. The more friends we have, the more people we call by first name on the street or greet at board meetings, at church or at the movies, the more comfortably immersed we feel in our environment.
INDONESIAN
Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 17,508 islands that consists of hundreds of distinct native ethnic and linguistic groups. The frontier is strong in its impact. Different from American, Indonesians judge people by reputation or family background by deeds rather than. To illustrate, without knowing more when someone meet batakness then he regards directly that person is rough or hot blooded. In addition, frontier has influenced the welfare for Indonesians who live inland. It is difficult for them to get access for education or health. We can see from people in Papua, they live in the forest and regard that education is not important.
6. THE AMERICAN CREED
AMERICAN
American creeds are the gospel of work and the belief in progress. American creed is an implicit faith in the rational, a need for moralistic rationalization, an optimistic conviction that rational efforts count, faith in the individual and his rights, the cult of the common man (not only as to his rights, but as to his massed political wisdom), the high valuation put on change and progress, and on pleasure consciously pursued as good.
American believes in equality. American goals are set and do not need to be debated; we have only to work hard in order to reach them. To create, to build—to clear a new field, sink a new mine, start a new civic organization, develop a new business—this is what they dream of. Like all creators, they are suspicious of critics. Americans are active participants rather than passive observers; they feel obliged to defend the country against any outside censures, no matter how bitterly they attack its shortcomings themselves.
American credo were the product of pioneering, some were an inheritance from the puritans whose ideas their descendants carried west with them. Respect for the individual as a creature of God, made in his own image, was one of these.
INDONESIA
When we talk about Indonesian creed, we talk directly about Pancasila as is the official philosophical foundation of the Indonesian state. It contains five sila or principles of Indonesians’ values and characters; Belief in the one and only God, Just and civilized humanity, The unity of Indonesia, Democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations amongst representatives , and Social justice for all of the people of Indonesia.
Indonesia is a religious country. It is seen in first principle or sila has clearly explained the requirement for a belief in the all-oneness of God. In Indonesia there are five acknowledged religions; Islam, Christian, Catholic, Buddha, and Hindu. The government gives freedom to people in choosing their faith. If someone chooses religion is outside of acknowledged religions, then people will regard the religion as heresy. In addition, people will censure someone who has not faith or atheist.
Indonesia is known well as orient culture. Different from American, Indonesian credo is about prioritizing civilized manners such a shame, mutual aid (gotong royong), respect, and uphold national unity. Gotong royong or mutual aid is a conception of sociality familiar to large parts of Indonesia. This can be seen in society where people work together to clean as well as maintain security (ronda malam) their neighborhood at night.
Nevertheless, globalization has encouraged arising of individualism that is someone’s view emphasizes interests, freedom, and responsibility for himself. As the political economy became more privatized, capitalistic, and individualistic, gotong royong or mutual aid has probably waned. Individualism give bad effects because people are not going to prioritize common interests ahead of personal interests. There many examples that we can see, the news about the rampant corruption, the issue of conflict between residents and students, as well as the seizure of land for personal gain rather than the common good. Moreover, the coming of pop culture has been dominating youth community. Nowadays young people regard that lifestyle is everything for them; it is important to update their fashion or their gadget as well as exist in social media in order to be accepted among their peers. As a result they forget the genuine value and characteristics of Indonesia.
7. HUMOR
AMERICAN
American humor confirms the importance of mating and the family, the high status of women and children, the pace and tension of life, and above all the love of humor itself as an approach to life more to be prized than riches, a gift to be cherished and applauded. The minister uses it in his sermons, the doctor in his healing, the lawyer in his pleading, and the teacher in his teaching. About the worst thing American can say of man is that he has no sense of humor. For humor is regarded as an essential part of “the American way.”
It helps to equalize, and American believe in equality. It is often a symbol of freedom, for it permits the common man to speak freely of his leaders; it helps him cut them down to size. It deflates stuffed shirts. It allows Americans to look at themselves in perspective, for when they laugh at themselves they have surmounted our shortcomings. And in a land where new contacts are always being made, humor provides a quickly available emotional unity—not subtle or regional but universal, one which lets them feel immediately at home anywhere. It is the grammar of confidence, the rhetoric of optimism, the music of brotherhood.
INDONESIAN
Indonesian humor is alarming, violence and suffering of others is a spectacle of fun and even a source of happiness. Comedians in television have great impact for Indonesian humor. Unfortunately, the comedians make jokes that tend to hurt someone’s feeling and physic. For example, there are some comedians in television that are willingly beaten by their partner using property that is not harmful. Moreover, they usually demean each other with funny words. The purpose is in order to make the audience laughing. As a result, in daily life deprecating one’s physical with funny words is humor. Ironically, there is tragedy when a judge made rape case as a joke at the trial. A judge was laughing when he said that victim and suspects enjoyed rape alike. Indonesians have to realize about this phenomena so humor is not made as tool to demean each other. Whereas, sense of humor should be a reflection and critique tool that can make person reflect about his life.
I will try to explain the differences that exist in the United States and Indonesia, in accordance with the final test of semester assignment given by Mr. Parlin.
2. Materialism
America
Generally, Americans are materialistic. Why I said like that? They define their lives by how much stuff they have, to a large degree our personal and business relationships are defined by how much money they make, and even most of the important dates on our calendar are all about materialism. They also said that “We are the most materialistic society in the history of the world, and our endless greed is going to end up swallowing us alive”. The examples of their materialistic are they throw outrageous birthday parties for their kids and they shower them with gifts. Most of their, holidays have become highly materialistic, and the biggest holiday of all in their society is Christmas. It is an absolute orgy of materialism. Have you ever heard American dream? If we talk about American dream, they start talking about a house, a car, vacations, retirement, sending your kids to college, etc and the American Dream has become all about money and stuff. Always want more and more although they had had all.
Indonesia
We know that Indonesia is a country rich in natural resources, a strategic and conducive. The most important thing that how about human resources? In Indonesia of origin where half of the population live in poverty and getting enough to eat is more important than anything else, intrinsic values deemed as conducive to elevating humanity seemed profound. Religion plays a significant role in every aspects of Indonesian life. The teachings of religion become inner substance-fostering system that prevents inclination towards materialism. Indonesians, especially Jakarta’s society however has undergone abrupt, layered changes and there is a struggle to find one’s place, to stake one’s claim as they are finding their feet with the impact of globalization, advances in media and technology, and in coping with dynamic economic changes. As a whole, the greatest fracture is the tension between religious traditions and a social condition in which the superficial appearance becomes more important than the inner substance.
Studies suggest that people from less economically developed nations tend to emphasize on materialistic goals (of which brand consciousness being one of the characteristics) than those of economically developed nations. It holds true in Indonesia. Materialism is apparent among the expanding middle-class living in urban areas. As soon as people get a leg up, they start buying by labels and showing off their new wealth. Differ from West European countries; for instance, where average citizen is concerned, consumerism is relatively subdued, focused more on value, functionality or practicality.
Cultural and historical differences do construct different tendencies towards materialism. A study by the Consumer Research Association comparing consumer’s level of materialism between East Asians (collectivistic society) and Americans (individualistic society) has found that while consumers in both cultures place equivalent levels of importance on owning “nice” objects, East Asians tend to place a relatively high degree of importance on other people’s perceptions (public-self reflection) while their American counterparts place high degree of importance on private-self (private-self reflection). The corresponding public self focuses on how one is viewed by others (i.e. peers, family, friends etc), guided not by self-knowledge but rather self-in-relation to specific others. The corresponding private self refers to one’s feelings, motivations, and thoughts, behavior of which is guided by preferences, personal values and convictions. The differences also reveals that East Asian consumers, in particular, appear to have an attraction for high image, high status products such as Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc.
3. The ideal service
America
American volunteer team never looked at a person’s background. Americans have a great volunteer spirit. They always help people affected by natural disasters and America also providing services to an offender is about more than just helping the person leaving prison.
Indonesia
Indonesian volunteers tend to see who wants to be helped. Help not heartfelt. One example is the flood victims. Many people who lived in the house because the disaster that did not happen to them. Lack of cooperation and disregard for others still look at Indonesia.
4. A nation of conformists
America
Individualist cultures such as in the United States put more emphasis on freedom and personal independence. They are more likely for free to be creative. Child where they are directed and financed their will. People America never forced his son to his parents own volition. With the adjustment between parent and child, to trigger a better relationship. Conformity is regarded not as a response to social pressure, but as a way to establish rapport with others and to fulfill the moral obligation.
Indonesia
Conformity is totally different with Indonesia. In our country also happen like fights or brawls between students is a form of juvenile delinquency are often experienced by teens and even brawl that lately we have heard no longer fights or brawls between students but also the fighting between students at a college in our country. Although we have regulation, we always break them. We know that we are a civilized nation and religion. Why do we not apply the rules of that? This is what causes the bad value conformity in Indonesia because Indonesia is currently the numbers of adolescents are affected by changing times in a group.
5. Success goal
When talking about success in America, we should not hesitate to it. We know that Americans dubbed the workhorse. So only if reasonable they are successful in life. I got new news that American success because of the environment, industry, population, instruments, assessments and skills practice or human resources. Totally different with Indonesia, although Indonesia is rich in natural resources, a strategic and culturally rich but poor in human resources and would not struggle or work hard.
6. Mobility
Every member of society is always changing, shifting, increase, or decrease in the status and role. From the above sentence mean social mobility. We know that America has always increased mobility, both in terms of economics and business. Many Americans have mastered the technology. In other words they are the advanced countries, in contrast to Indonesia. Indonesia is a developing country. And we can predict that the mobility in Indonesia progressively worse, for example economically. Social stratification in Indonesia predominantly middle and lower. The concept of mobility is in practice being linked to one another and it is difficult to determine which as a consequence and cause. As an example for the occurrence of changes in social status, a person forced to leave their homes because of lack of employment opportunities, or reverse social mobility often lead to the existence of geographic mobility that comes with all the painful losses, the disappearance of social ties that have been so long established.
7. American creed
The American’s Creed was a result of a nationwide contest for writing a National Creed, which would be a brief summary of the American political faith founded upon things fundamental in American history and tradition. The United States had been a participant in World War I only a little over a year at the time the Creed was adopted. The author of the American’s Creed, William Tyler Page, was a descendant of John Page, who had come to America in1650 and had settled in Williamsburg, Virginia. If we talk about American creed, it’s about tradition and also religion. In America is dominant Christian. And the churches there are very appreciated and secured at the time of conducting worship. We see in Indonesia, Indonesia is a country of law and religion. There are five religions in Indonesia they are, Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. But, why is not there a sense of comfort when conducting worship? We should emulate the United State, although different religions but mutual respect.
There are seven differences culture between Americans and Indonesians.
1. Materialism
Americans
Materialism, like capitalism, is a defining factor of the American way of life. As with all things, materialism has its good and bad points. It is a trend that paints the American picture. It gives a perception of wealth and prosperity. However, it is commonly a shallow depiction of reality. The possession of things does not equate to financially stability. Regardless of how it is viewed, it defines us, motivates us, and moves our economy more than any other custom.
The American economy is fed by our materialistic desires. Even during the tough financial struggles of a recession, many Americans continue to purchase that which is bigger and better. America is the top consumer of global products and resources. This local and global buying obsession may be one of the pillars holding the economy out of a depression. Although the economy can benefit from materialism, it also weakens overall financial stability of the individuals that fall prey to it. Thus, Americans are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The materialism that strikes a visitor to America is not that of loving and hoarding wealth; it is a love of making and consuming wealth.
Indonesians
In Indonesia where half of the population live in poverty and getting enough to eat is more important than anything else, intrinsic values deemed as conducive to elevating humanity seemed profound. Religion plays a significant role in every aspects of Indonesian life. The teachings of religion become inner substance-fostering system that prevents inclination towards materialism. Indonesians, especially Jakarta’s society however has undergone abrupt, layered changes and there is a struggle to find one’s place, to stake one’s claim as they are finding their feet with the impact of globalization, advances in media and technology, and in coping with dynamic economic changes. As a whole, the greatest fracture is the tension between religious traditions and a social condition in which the superficial appearance becomes more important than the inner substance.
The consumerism tells us a great deal about the developmental stage of a society. Experts suggest all societies rich or poor have outward signs of status, whether a farmer owning hundreds of cows in his cattle or a Mercedes in the garage of an urban middle class. But the badges of success are most important to those who feel themselves at risk of the loss of newly acquired status. In other word, it is more profound for people with a poorer background to be showing off wealth in order to retain their status (for fear of losing that status) than in more self-confident, settled societies.
2. The Ideal of Service
Americans
There is an implication of selfishness in the words materialism and comfort—a suggestion of self-pampering at the expense of others. Yet, vulnerable as Americans are to criticism on other points, even their critics have not denied their generosity and a concern to help those who have not been so richly blessed with material goods. The Christian command, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is frequently invoked. For example, some young people in American join in each social field like YouthBuild. They founded Founded on the American ideal of service. Started as a literacy program. Now has Charter School, Green Energy Corps, Computer Corps, Environmental Corps, and Casa Verde Builders. The purpose of this project is to unleash the positive energy of unemployed young adults to rebuild their communities and their own lives with a commitment to work, education, responsibility, and family.
Indonesians
The ideal of service in Indonesian depend on desire or awareness of people. Sometimes, the service is the effort to serve the needs of others by getting rewards (money). Besides those high taxes medical equipment and drug prices result in perceived high cost of treatment. Sometimes people have realized to help others if there is a disaster coming. All give assistance or contribution directly. Thus, system in ideal service in our country must be improved and enhanced to better service.
3. A Nation of Conformists?
Americans
America has always had writers, thinkers, and dreamers. Internationally Americans are supposed to be historically a country of eccentrics but nowadays makes vague references, they have become conformists: no one does anything different, everyone conforms to do the same thing, Xbox, football, x-factor, jubilee, royal wedding, London Olympics! No one seems to want to stand out from the ‘norm’ now. The rich elites love the jubilee, the Olympics- all potential money spinners. Come on get involved you plebs. Conform! Spend your money now please ,when we tell you! It’s like our culture has been monetized now, maybe a result of Noe-liberal policy seeking to ‘free’ the markets or technology.
Indonesians
Calling someone a conformist is not a polite thing to do these days because being a conformist implies a person not thinking by himself/herself. Conformity refers to thinking and acting in ways that are in accordance with social standards and conventions of one’s social group. Understandably enough, to be a non-conformist is desirable because it is connotative of a person being an independent thinker who is able to make thoughtful choices on all sorts of issues after examining the relevant information. Conscientious readers, however, should be quick to realize that even the ideal of non-conformity is largely shaped by majority opinion.
4. Mobility
Americans
A mobility society is an open society, where seamless access to diverse economic, social, and cultural marketplaces fosters the opportunities, competition, and choices that fuel the economy and enrich the daily lives of millions. Transportation investment choices contribute to such an open society by increasing access to new activity centers, reducing bottlenecks in existing facilities, and extending mobility to the least advantaged members of society. By most measures, the United States is the most mobile nation, accommodating over 4 trillion miles of passenger travel and 3.7 trillion ton-miles of freight in the late 1990s. A vast system of transportation infrastructure makes this possible: 4 million miles of road, 580,000 bridges, 350 commercial ports, 5,500 airports. Every day, the U.S. maintains, patrols, and moves goods the length of enough commercially navigable waterways, 25,000 miles if stretched end-to-end, to span the globe
Indonesians
Human movement, voluntary and involuntary, is a reflection of the people initiatives and responses to the changing nature of society and economy. As a large archipelago state, movement of people across the country, historically, has always an important dimension of social formation in Indonesia. However mobility focuses on movement of people in the last four decades. It aims to examine the connection between migration and its wider social and economic contexts, looking at how politics shape migration policy and in turn, how migration affects policy making. Indonesia has some issues of overseas labor migration, particularly on the apparently embedded inertia within the policy making processes. The continuing incidences of irregular migration, forced migration and human trafficking obviously mirror the incapacity of the state in properly managing the movement of people.
5. The Influence of the Frontier
Americans
The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier–a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile. On the other hand, the frontier was appealing to settlers because of the promise of new wonders, and land. There was plenty of it, and thanks to manifest destiny and the industrial revolution there was the production of rail lines to connect cities on the East coast, eventually connecting to the west to transport goods.
Indonesians
Indonesia has frontier that can give some benefit for the country. For example, there is new frontier in East Kalimantan. That is the Mahakam River, the heart of Kalimantan, the name for Indonesian Borneo. On the map the Mahakam is a winding snake, the longest river of East Kalimantan, travelling 900 kilometres from the coast to the green highlands of the interior. Today, the river is brown, filled with garbage and eroded soil from cleared forests, and it has become the highway for the coal coming from the rainforest and ending up in growing economies outside Indonesia. Fifty years ago, this water was clear; now it’s deeply stained, although the river remains the only source of washing and drinking water for thousands of people.
6. The American creed
Americans
The great British intellectual G. K. Chesterton wrote that “America is the only nation in the world that is founded on [a] creed. ”Think about that for a moment. Other nations were founded on the basis of race, or by the power of kings or emperors who accumulated lands — and the peasants who inhabited those lands. But America was — and is to this day — different. It was founded on a shared belief. Or as Chesterton said, on a creed. And what is that creed that sets us apart? It is the eloquent, profound, and simple statement penned by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence:
Indonesians
Creed of Christianity in Indonesia based on bible. The following scripture passages are considered by many to be creeds or declarations of faith. These are taken from both Lieth’s Schaff’s books. Deut. 6:4: Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 1 Kings. 18:39: And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” Matt. 16:16: Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
7. Humor
Americans
American humor might also be distinguished by its most common type of humor, for example, more slapstick and physical comedy. There is less emphasis on understatement, and so the humor tends to be more open, rather than satirizing the social system through exaggeration. American humor prefers more observational techniques. However, the style of observational humor (while not exclusively American) is very much a staple of the American style of humor since it seeks to point out the aspects of American culture and social discourse which are obvious while at the same time highlighting their ridiculousness.
Indonesians
Indonesian humor consists of funny story, funny pictures, funny text messages, funny puzzles, and jokes that make laugh out loud. On the other hand, we can watch comedy and joke film. There are many actress and actors that always entertain the audience with funny behavior and jokes that make us laugh. So, humor Indonesia depends on someone in making jokes.
1. Success as goal
Americans
Americans place a very high valuation upon success. recognition of some kind of measurable that an entrepreneur who turned out to be the artist that is considered to be a success.To be successful, one must work hard to jeripayanya own so loved the job that he can.Despite the high technology they have developed, Americans still like to be handy at all things. Both men and women are willing to do house works.For Americans that everyone should have the same opportunity. In other words, equality of opportunity can be regarded as ethical rules. important to understand what most Americans mean when they say that they believe in equality of opportunity. People who like to compete are often more successful than others, and many were honored as winners. Someone has to compete with others. This is the price to pay for equality of opportunity. It is hoped that everyone should strive to be successful.
Indonesians
we should be proud that Indonesia has many advantages when compared to other countries. Indonesia has many natural resources in each 36 provinces, each of which has a natural beauty and is also Indonesia which mimiliki various cultures and such.
2. Materialism
Americans
Materialism, like capitalism, is a defining factor of the American way of life. As with all things, materialism has its good and bad points. It is a trend that paints the American picture. It gives a perception of wealth and prosperity. However, it is commonly a shallow depiction of reality. The possession of things does not equate to financially stability. Regardless of how it is viewed, it defines us, motivates us, and moves our economy more than any other custom. The American economy is fed by our materialistic desires. Even during the tough financial struggles of a recession, many Americans continue to purchase that which is bigger and better. America is the top consumer of global products and resources. This local and global buying obsession may be one of the pillars holding the economy out of a depression. Although the economy can benefit from materialism, it also weakens overall financial stability of the individuals that fall prey to it. Keeping up with the Jones’ is a classic way to describe the goal of the average American. The possession of the latest and greatest, the biggest and best, is how many believe they are measured in society. The constant struggle to be on top may build the economy, but it crushes an individual’s financially security. It is impossible for most Americans to maintain their status and still save for emergencies, the future, and retirement. A drive down many neighborhood streets will tell a tale of comfort and privilege. However, a look at the savings accounts and credit reports of most will show a different story. Materialism leads to a false picture of wealth. This picture is what others want and go into debt in order to achieve. This causes a vicious cycle that has turned into the American way of life. The healthy balance of work and play found in many other countries seems impossible to accomplish in America. It takes more money to feed the need for more things. Therefore, life for many Americans is filled with long hours at work and less hours at play. Comfort and peace are not achieved through quality time with family and friends, but with a new electronic device and bigger home. Like drugs, materialism gives a short time high and leaves the user in a state worse than before. Materialism in America pushes and pulls at most of us. It pushes us to work harder and achieve more. However, the achievements are thin and meaningless when compared to the great accomplishments life has to offer. Getting married and starting a family are two major life changes that many put on hold because the situation is not perfect. Owning a home was often a goal for young couples to achieve before having children. The increasing power of materialism has taken that simple plan and magnified it. Now that same young couple will keep waiting until they have the right house in a prestigious neighborhood. Those points in life that give it true meaning are held back by the desire to be measured against a ruler that is constantly changing. Americans are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The fullness of the American dream includes the belief that we all have these rights and should never be held back from achieving them. The pursuit of happiness does not mean the pursuit of the most current technology or an upgraded vehicle. It was the right to achieve the most basic and simple desires, regardless of where you stood in the social pecking order. However, materialism has changed that. It has led us backwards on the path the great leaders of our country forged.
Indonesians
Indonesia is a country that berbhineka social welfare and the level of awareness in the midst of abundant natural resources. Abuse relief coloring disasters that struck the community. Poverty, health education, and high unemployment have occurred on a large scale in the middle of the level of welfare officers, whether executive, legislative and judicial branches, which continue to rise rapidly. In the midst of reality State shall be based upon the belief in One God, Indonesia is faced with a big enemy of social life that is called corruption. Based paradox, the author considers that corruption is a real threat to Indonesia. That is, the threat actually came from the national reality and without any pressure from outside. All elements of the nation who clearly loves his people, including government, academia, NGOs, and the public in general would regard as an enemy that must be fought. That is, the anti-corruption in Indonesia should be developed in the midst of the reality that surrounded the tendency to live in the midst of materialism kemewahan.Di determination in Indonesia, stratification cannot work without significance.
3. The Ideal service
Americans
no matter what their circumstances. We do not judge people for bad choices that may have contributed to their current situation, but rather to find ways to improve their lives in the present to improve their future. This mission is very clear in our work with offenders leaving prison. Americans have a great volunteer spirit. They always help people affected by natural disasters, one of the tsunami disaster in Aceh. Not a bit of assistance provided by them to the people of Indonesia in the form of moral and material assistance. They spend a lot of assistance to help citizens of other countries who are in the disaster. America is also providing services to the offender is more than just help people leaving prison. It’s also a service to the community, and service to children and other family members to whom the perpetrator would return. They work to strengthen the entire family, and ensure that the children of the perpetrators not to repeat the bad choices made by they parents.
Indonesia
Public services in Indonesia tend to have some fundamental problems. In addition to organizing and the effectiveness of community participation in the provision of services is still relatively low, public services also have no complaints and dispute resolution mechanisms. As a result, the quality of products also services that do not satisfy the users of public services even now discriminated against by certain parties against certain social class. In addition, the public services in Indonesia are also not responsive to people with special needs, including vulnerable groups, the disabled, elderly and remote indigenous communities. For example, the fate of children with special needs or disabilities in Indonesia, is very alarming and has lagged far behind other Asian countries. Their fate is still marginalized in almost all sectors, ranging from education, employment, until the availability of public facilities that are less friendly. Services in Indonesia to learn from neighboring countries.
4. A nation of conformists
Americans
Calling someone a conformist is not a polite thing to do these days because being a conformist implies a person not thinking by himself/herself. Conformity refers to thinking and acting in ways that are in accordance with social standards and conventions of one’s social group. Understandably enough, to be a non-conformist is desirable because it is connotative of a person being an independent thinker who is able to make thoughtful choices on all sorts of issues after examining the relevant information. Conscientious readers, however, should be quick to realize that even the ideal of non-conformity is largely shaped by majority opinion.
Conformity, thus, is devoid of any goodness or badness that is typically associated with it. Conformity ought to be understood as a type of social learning where people adopt a particular behavior depending on how common that behavior is within a particular group (Efferson et al., 2008). It is a force that homogenizes behavior within social groups and filters out clamor that exists at the individual level.
As a social group increases in size the effects of conformity as a nonlinear bias enhancer intensifies as well. For example, consider the number of views that popular vs. non-popular videos receive on youtube. Popular videos are watched by thousands of users while non-popular ones barely break it past few hundred. Because there are millions of videos on youtube, most users opt to watch only those that are currently popular on the site. Consequently, conformity exaggerates the gap in number of views between popular and non-popular videos and homogenizes choices of individual users visiting youtube.
The processes of conformity that exaggerate the impact of majority opinion may make one question its usefulness but there are many circumstances where conforming to the majority opinion ends up being the better option than going down the non-conformist road. Going back to youtube example, there is a higher probability in choosing to watch a popular video than randomly selecting one of millions of amateur videos that watching the video would be worthwhile to the viewer.
In order to further explore circumstances where it is better to be a conformist than a non-conformist, Efferson et al. (2008), researchers at University of Zurich, Switzerland, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and UC Davis, carried out an exploratory study with 70 participants. The participants were divided into two groups where one group was designated as individual learners and the other was designated at social learners. Participants in both groups were told to play a guessing game where they had to pick between “red” and “blue” color multiple times. After selecting one of two colors the participants were awarded points and were informed that although the points being given after each choice were randomly generated, there was an optimum color which, if picked every time, would lead to overall higher points than the other.
After each round the participants in “individual learning” group were shown the number of points that they earned for that session. As a result, the participants from “individual learning” group had a chance to notice a trend in choosing between red and blue and seeing which one was leading to higher payoffs. Participants in “social learning” group differed from “individual learning” group in that after each sequence they were shown what colors participants from “individual learning” group had picked for that round (e.g., three picked red, two picked blue). Participants from “social learning” group were completely unaware of their own payoffs and had to pick between red and blue based upon how others were making their choices for each round.
The results of the study showed that the conformists in the “social learning” group who picked colors based on majority picks were able to earn significantly more points than non-conformists in the group. In other words, conforming with the majority opinion helped people perform better at “picking the optimum color” task than not going along with opinion of the masses.
Conformity in a sense can be understood as another tool for dealing with complexity of our everyday existence. The problem that we face these days is not a lack of but excess of information and choice. There are too many channels to watch, too many different kinds of soaps on aisles, too many options of cars to buy, and so on. Under such circumstances it is sometimes fine to conform and make choices in accordance with the majority opinion instead of trying to be a non-conformist and getting overwhelmed by overload of information and choices.
Indonesians
Conformity meaning for the Indonesian is very different with the concept that American have. For the Indonesian they just like to look same with the other people just for the reason that they like normal an same with the other. The Indonesian don`t like to looks diverge with the other because a different attitude or appearance that they have will tend to make the other people is thing bad even looks like walked away from them. That is sometimes that makes any different in Indonesia seems like mix with one color that closed by a fear to be something different from the other people in Indonesia.
5. Mobility
Americans
There are two aspects economic mobility in the United States. The first is the question of intergenerational mobility, or the degree to which the economic success of children is independent of the economic status of their parents. A higher level of intergenerational mobility is often interpreted as a sign of greater fairness, or equality of opportunity, in a society. The second aspect is the short-term question of the amount by which family incomes change from year to year. By studying short-term mobility we can determine whether incomes are rising or falling for families at different points in the income distribution. We can also determine whether the size of these income variations, or the level of annual income volatility, is changing over time. Increased volatility is undesirable to the extent that it represents an increase in economic insecurity.
Indonesia
Understanding of social mobility in Indonesia include group and individual mobility. For example Mr. Abdul family success is evidence of individual mobility; is the outflow of the population together of regional pockets of poverty on the island of Java to a more fertile so that their welfare is relatively better than in the area of origin, is an example of the mobility group. Third, psychic mobility, which are aspects of social-psychological consequences of social change. In this case is concerned their attitude changes must be accompanied by shaking the soul. The concept of mobility is in practice be linked to one another and it is difficult to determine which as a consequence and cause. As an example for the occurrence of changes in social status, a person forced to leave their homes because of lack of employment opportunities, or reverse social mobility often lead to the existence of geographic mobility that comes with all the painful losses, the disappearance of social ties that have been so long established. Similarly, geographical mobility will affect toward social mobility, even at the same time affect the mental or psychic mobility of individuals and society.
6. The influence of the frontier
Americans
The influence that American have from all frontier which come and live in their country is exist even from the past time. The American habit that love to work and collected a material things is come from the European character in long years ago that like to do an explored and an invasion another region just to get a prosperity. In present time, an effect that frontier have brought to America is like fashion or mode in clothes trend. The American is like to copy a fashion style that proceed from European country like France, Italian, or Deutschland that truly is a direction of mode that will be a trend in America and also in the world.
Indonesians
Indonesia is a country which have accepted many influence of the frontier. But because Indonesia is one of nation that joined in the east country that known as a closed country is not easy to give an influence for Indonesia especially a culture that come from the west region. For Indonesia, a different culture that frontier bring usually first off filtered and if the effect is fix with the culture that Indonesian have it will be accept kindly. For example, the Melayu music that is presented a slow or pop music flow is more easy to be taken Indonesian than a rock or some hard music genre that mostly come from the culture of west nation.
7. Humor
Americans
You need to understand American culture to understand the “humor” of the story. comics is another medium for Americans to express humor. Comics can be found in newspapers and magazines. Humor usually involves aspects of American culture, and depending on the developmental history and current culture of the country. The extent to which an individual will personally find something humorous obviously depends on the absolute and relative number of variables, including, but not limited to geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, and context. People from different countries so it will find a different situation funny. Just as American culture has many different aspects of other countries, the cultural differences can be a barrier to how humor translate to other countries. American Humor may also be differentiated according to the most common type of humor, such as physical comedy.
Indonesians
Indonesia is also very fond of humor, such as opera, lenong, play, live shows, etc. Many artists and comedy group, which emerged and have a place in Indonesia, such as that experienced figures, Srimulat, Warkop, Opera, etc.. At the beginning of the era of Indonesia’s independence, humor speaks volumes about the conflict in the household and cultural life in a particular culture or conflicts that arise due to differences in lifestyle due to cultural influences. Of course, many of the conflicts that arise with Indonesian culture is very diverse, but when it’s delivered with humor, can break the ice and be a very interesting entertainment
American Character
The United States of America is a land as diverse and unique as its people. Right from the discovery of the New World and all through American history, the natives and settlers have learned from numerous lessons on strife, challenge and tolerance. Generalizing the society for distinctive characteristics is not an easy task at all. This is mainly because each segment of this society has its own distinct and unique characteristics. While the Native Americans are a hardy lot, the settlers brought in versatility in the use of resources at hand and the colonists ushered in scope for restraint and amalgamation of diversity. and America is one of the most powerful country in the world by leading some aspects of the world economy such as education, politics, military, etc. in addition to having a major impact of developments in the world, the Americans also have some characters that were developed in the middle of the American people. With the diversity of cultures, ethnicities, religions, and languages to bring positive values to develop America into the strongest nation in the world. There are several characters in the U.S. and I chose seven characters to be developed in this essay and the characters are described below as follows:
1. Success as a goal.
America
One of the reasons why America is always more forward than Indonesia, because people in America have a high spirit of hard work. They always think to one step forward than before. Commonly, the workers in America do not have a formal vocation. They always worked all day long and use time effectively. Then the success they have is the based on their skill and ability . It is proved by the research conducted by the International Labor Organization (ILO). American workers also work longer work weeks and put in more hours over the course of the year than counterparts in many advanced economies. About 80 percent of Americans work 40 hours or more each week; Fewer than half of Danes, Finns, the French or Germans That work many hours, said the International Labor Organization (ILO). Besides, the supporting factor to the success of America, where the American people are always ready to hardwork and efforts for making a change. They always makes a better change in the future for many aspects such as sector economy, business, technology, etc. however American people has an equality of gender, where men and women have the same opportunity to work hard and be the best. And the last reason that became the foundation for success for the American people are, they believe happiness is to be pursued, not waited. Thus they have the motivation to always work hard, because only with hardwork they can find happiness and hard work also became one of the basic American success.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, most Indonesian people work hard for a better life in the future. But for some others, they want to live with happiness without working hard. That is why Indonesia has always lagged behind other countries in the world. Many Indonesian people still have a lot of money without working hard. This is evidenced by the increasing cases of corruption in Indonesia each year. Corruption in Indonesia has become a major problem for the government. Corruption occurs in all sectors such as economics, law, education, health, energy, etc. The people of Indonesia who always think to have pleasure without having to work hard. and national development in Indonesia has always stopped because of cost have been destroyed. Corruption is a source of problems in the middle of the Indonesian people and make the poor more difficult to obtain a better life. In addition, one of the reasons that make Indonesia always lags are workers in Indonesia does not have a high spirit of hard work. They didn’t have a strong motivation to succeed in their businesses. It has been proved by the number of days in a year calls for employees very much. They didn’t use their time effectively, and waste a lot of time for nothing. Thus the success of the Indonesian people do not see is the result of hard work, so that Indonesia can not advance than other countries.
2. Materialism
America
Now days, materialism into the American lifestyle. It has become a trend and growing in American society. They always chase and buy goods with the latest and most enermous with considerable expense, just to satisfy their desire to shop. Then after they get what they want, they will find other items to find them again and continue all the time. Lifestyle is certainly costly. So the American people have always worked hard to earn lots of money to satisfy their desire to shop at the best place. But materialism not only give a good effect, but also give bad effects. Increased American materialism, unfortunately, there is less fashionable along with an increase in the other, teen suicide, depression, divorce, disintegration, despair bankruptcy family, and. It does appear that those who live by the law of materialism that is always happy or fulfilled. As for the economy, where increasing material wealth and goods in the U.S. has actually had little or no effect on the welfare and happiness of its people.
Indonesia
same as the United States, Indonesia also has a lifestyle of materialism. However, there are differences between the American values of materialism and Indonesia. lifestyle is also growing materialism in the society of Indonesia. There are many people who regularly go to the mall just to shop for the latest and modern, and also spent a lot of money on the best places to relax. However, this does not happen to the people of Indonesia are really poor. They were very distressed by this condition because only rich people, such as artists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, etc. who have always spent a lot of money to fulfill their desire to shop and buy a lot of fancy stuff. Therefore, materialism makes social inequalities in society of Indonesia. In addition, the pursuit of happiness does not mean chasing the latest technology or vehicles upgrade.
3. The influences of frontier
America
Americans have a very wide area, thus opening up many opportunities for the frontier to live and work in America. Jackson Turner said “The American frontier may not be the key to American development, but it’s Certainly one major factor”. It is proved that the influences of the frontier to the development in America was very interesting . This is due to the American government gives the equal opportunities and obligations towards American peoples and to the frontier in America such as in sector law, social, economics, politics, education, health, etc. They can develop their skills and careers as well as American people in various sectors of government such as politics, economics, education etc. Therefore it is become an advantage for America because they have qualified human resources which is support national development. In addition, they can choose and decide their own land that they want. However, the frontier didin’t chase away the american people from their land, but they live and working together to develop their areas. Thus America became one of the most developed countries in the world.
Indonesia
If we compare with Indonesia, Indonesia is also one of the developing countries in various sector. Such as industry, economy, education, health, etc. but it is not followed with support from human resources which is qualified in their sector. Because a lot of Indonesian people are still close opportunity for frontier. They can’t develop their skill and carrer in Indonesia as well as Indonesian people. Indonesian people are afraid to compete with the frontier, because the level education in Indonesia are very low. In addition, the government doesn’t provide equal opportunity to the frontier,then foreign investors will not invest their modals in Indonesia. Therefore the national development in Indonesia is slower than the United States of America. Moreover the Indonesian people are can not compete with the frontier from other country. Thus they always tried to chase away the frontier from Indonesia. Finally the frontier did not have a major influence on the national development in Indonesia.
4. The ideal of service
America
American people have a sense to help each other. American government always concern to their citizens wherever they are lived around the world. American Government always defend its citizens either inside or outside the United States. One of former President U.S, President John F. Kennedy said: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. According of the statement proved, that the American government will always provide the ideal of service to its citizens. Because since children they have been learn from their parents to love others and should help each other. American government is always concerned with the problems faced by its citizens, both issues in law, economics, education, health, etc. For example in education, the American government has always raise standards of education in America and every children can develop himself and his country. Thus every American citizen to help each other to develop their country, and the U.S. government also can provide the ideal of services to its citizens.
Indonesia
Compared with Indonesia, the Government of Indonesia has not been able to provide the ideal of service to its citizens. Because the character of Indonesian people who still want to enrich themselves without regard for others. for example, in the sector of transportation there are many problems such as traffic jam, roads damaged, etc. Though the government has always insisted on paying taxes on time. In addition Indonesian government has not been able to provide employment for all its citizens. This is proved by the increasing number of Indonesian workers who go abroad to work outside Indonesia. thus the Indonesian government has not been able to realize the ideal of service to their citizens.
5. American creed
America
American creed is values and beliefs that form the philosophical foundation for the United States system of law and government including its Constitution. That’s the reason why the American people are very proud to be American citizens. because they have a duty to their country. They really love their country, respect their flag, supporting all decisions, obey the law and against all the enemies of America. they believe a big nation, come from the people are defend their country. With a strong foundation and duty, American people are always believe in taking decisions and give the best to the country. The American’s Creed defines what it means to be American, both the need for faith in who and what we are as a Nation, and the resposibility we all have to love and respect our Nation and its Flag. Its message is appropriate for each generation of Americans, but becomes even more meaningful when we understand the historical context of its origin.
Indonesia
Compared with Indonesia, Indonesia also has a strong foundation which is called “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila”. And Indonesian people is obliged to defend the country. But now a days, much of the values from “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila” has been lost in the daily life of Indonesian people. this is proved with there are many was broke the united of Indonesia. such as corruption, inter-tribal disputes, differences between religions, etc. it is increasingly damage the the united of Indonesia, while Indonesia has a strong foundation to be able to develop into a good countries. Thus the Indonesia people should be more aware of and understand the values contained in “Undang Undang Dasar 1945” and “Pancasila”, in order to give the best to the country. and Indonesia could be one step forwards than other countries.
6. A Nation Of Conformists
America
The United States has long been known as the land of opportunity, where hard work is rewarded and economic prosperity is within reach for all. This is one of many reason why people want to come to America. they saw that in America has big oppurtunity to get a better life. All people who comes to America, bringing the value of their culture respectively. This makes a lot of diversity cultures in America. That’s why American has much values from culture better than any other country. Americans always appreciate the culture of other nations, because of the positive values which is contained in culture can united the diversity culture in America. With the diversity cultures that they owned, the American people do not consider it is to be a difference but the positive value which is contained in culture makes a unity in the middle of American society. thus the cultural values brought from the frontier to the United States gives motivation for America to became the stongest nation.
Indonesia
If we compared with Indonesia, Indonesia is also a country that has a lot of diversity of cultures. But Indonesian people can not accept all of these cultural values became the reason to built a unity for Indonesia. With the diversity of culture that Indonesian owned, causes a lot of difference among the Indonesian people. There are many cases of inter-tribal and ethnic strife. Also a lot of difference between religions, regions, etc. this proved Indonesia is unable to unity all of postitif value that is owned from the diversity of culture to build a united nation.
7. Humor
America
Sense of humor certain exist in every nation, also in America. American people have a high sense of humor in their life. Humor can be used as an alternative to release angry, bored, tired, stress, depression, etc.. most American people are always working hard, so they often feelings of anger, bored, tired, stress, depression, and humor can be one solution to solve their problem. Commonly, humor in America are based on the fairy tales and myths, although many were come from daily activity. There are many event of humor in television as a cartoons or movies. There are some of humor events in the television which is usually entertain American people such as “The Simps”, “The Sesame Street”. Thus proving a sense of humor American people is still high and they are still require humor sense.
Indonesia
Indonesia also have a sense of humor. There are so many events of humor on television which is can be used as a solution to release the feeling bored, angry, bored, etc. Such as “Operva Van Java”, “Extravaganza”, and many more. Besides, the artists of humor in Indonesia, usually have a unique characteristic as their character on television show. They usually have the special feature on him, even though not all artists of humor in Indonesia have it. The humor events in Indonesia are commonly based on a fairy tale or come from daily activity, but usually they used a myth story. Thus proving Indonesian people are also need a lot of humor show, along with the growth the number of television shows about humor.
American Character
What is culture? Culture is a powerful human tool for survival, but it is a fragile phenomenon. It is constantly changing and easily lost because it exists only in our minds. Our written languages, Governments, buildings, and other man-made things are merely the products of culture. They are not culture in themselves. For this reason, archaeologists cannot dig up culture directly in their excavations. The broken pots and other artifacts of ancient people that they are only Uncover material remains that reflect cultural patterns – they are things that were made and used through cultural knowledge and skills. And why the culture was said to be typical and important part of a country? There are two reasons to answer the question: first is because culture determines many things about you such as what you eat, how you speak, what your beliefs are, what clothing you where, and what you do for recreation. So in a way understanding you culture is understanding yourself and how you live. The last is understanding culture lets you understand other people and the reasons why they live the way they live. It can help you understand them and be more open minded towards other people. We will learn about the culture of American. Culture for them is doing the best, the community recognizes the United States they have no special culture down to that because there are no factors of caste, religion, and culture that prevents this, people in the country trust, someone who is trying to be the best, will be able to be the best. Culture of the United States has been growing throughout the world in various forms of adaptation and has influenced the whole world, especially the Western world.
1. Success as a Goal
Americans
Success is probably the highest value in American life. It relates to so many other characteristics of American life-individualism, freedom, goal-setting, progress, experimenting, social mobility, making money, pragmatism, and optimism. Americans want to “make a success of themselves.” This is the “American Dream” which has attracted millions of immigrants and has been taught to generations of American children. Everyone wants to be a success at something. If you do not think that way, you may be considered a failure. It is almost impossible to criticize success. For example, if an employee does something without properly consulting his supervisor and as a result the company gets a big contract with a new customer, the employee will get much more praise than blame. The success of getting the new contract may be more important than the failure to consult a superior. Sometimes people will even say cheating is justified if it brings success. Other people, however, may disagree. Although national success depends on strength in sovereignty, democracy, economics, and global leadership, it is also based on the personal views of success by Americans (Jackson). It can be based on items such as: rank, as in the position one holds; income, or the amount one makes; or even the quantity of power one holds. Being president of the United States is one instance of power, because even though he is not necessarily the wealthiest person in the nation he is one of the most powerful, or influential. The most common of these examples of professional accomplishments is income because many American people see money as an important part of success (Richard).
Indonesians
But for the people of Indonesia, success is when they get what they want or what they achieve in their lives. In Indonesia a person can be said to be successful if they can cost their own life, and a person can be said to be successful if they have a good financial life. Therefore the Indonesian said the proverb that everything is needed money. Want to eat, drink, sleep and even to the toilet even need money. They think if they do not own money so they cannot live. So in Indonesia only a few who think that when we can make other people laugh, it seems to me has become a successful man. So, wealth, fame and the position is not a guarantee of success itself, depending on each individual man himself.
2. Materialism
Americans
Materialism is a growing obsession in America for always wanting what is in the now. Materialism is quickly overcoming our nation and turning it into a greedy population. Materialistic items and the biggest newest things on the market. It is my belief that as Americans we need to step away from the materialistic view of things and re-evaluate our lives. Materialism can take shape in many forms and is caused by many things. Advertising plays a large role in materialism. Commercials in between shows on television, posters and billboards all show how fun new toys are, and how glamorous models look in this seasons newest fashions, all of these factors contribute to why people feel they need the best of everything. Advertisements are often targeted toward children, for children often feel the most inclined towards new toys and clothes. For example a few years ago, a woman sued the McDonald’s chain for targeting children in their advertisements with free toys in their famous happy meals. “A mother of two from Sacramento, Calif., says that McDonald’s uses toys as bait to induce her kids to clamor to go to McDonald’s and to develop a preference for nutritionally poor Happy Meals.”(CSPI) This shows how we create materialistic problems and fall for them at the same time. If small plastic toys can create an uproar of this magnitude at such a young age, then imagine how bad materialistic tendencies are going to be when these children grow up.
Indonesians
Materialism is also going on in Indonesia. Many people are broken because Indonesia relies on materialism that makes Indonesia become worse. Indonesia itself also is facing serious problems related to materialism, especially among the youth. Many youth who have an attitude of materialism, whereas they are a candidate for leader of the nation who built this country Indonesia. If it then becomes a choice for the youths, the future of Indonesia was at stake. All certainly don’t want that Indonesia will have the fate of the nation which has always been a country with an extraordinary level of corruption is high. They want to obtain a prosperous life with as soon as possible, so that forgotten dimensions of morality. for example of the community there are several parts of Indonesia are artists who rely on materialism, which makes their lives for the better in the field of property as well as materialism and popularity. So it doesn’t take another look at quality but quantity.
3. The Ideal of Service
Americans
Americans usually provide the best service for the people around. We can see from data that shows that Americans significantly increased their commitment to volunteering and civic engagement in 2011, with the national volunteer rate reaching a five-year high. The report also finds that parents of school-aged children contributed more than 2.5 billion hours of their time to volunteer efforts in 2011, most of it to school-based projects, underscoring the pivotal role that schools play as hubs for local volunteer efforts. Based on these data shows that the American people have a high ideal of service.
Indonesians
In Indonesia has a poor service system when compared to America. For instance we can see for health services if there are people who are sick and should be immediately checked, then the hospital will follow up complaints only if they have paid the administration fee if that’s not done, it is unlikely they assigned the treatment immediately. But there are also examples that show that Indonesia has a good service that is There are some people who work in the field of services, such as a teacher, giving their heart and his power to educate students to be useful to the nation and State. Sometimes the teacher is not good, because it had to face students today this attitude which at times can make a teacher angry. But it’s already a challenge for a teacher. Sometimes, amazed to see people today that do not see the one with the other without seeing the rich or poor, then that service will be invaluable once and will always be remembered.
4. A Nation of Conformists?
Americans
One aspect of American life most visitors agree on is its conformity, because they had to establish tradition, because they had to absorb millions of people from diverse cultures, Americans tended to insist upon conformity in fundamentals. Yet the conformity visitors see here in outward, and even then not inclusive. American businessmen are much freer to address as they like than their counterparts in England. Woman at the supermarket in everything from fur coats to shorts. If the cities look alike, with there neon signs aglow in the night, they have their separate personalities when one comes to know them. Though the movie theatres throughout the land are offering the same fare, every town has its amateur music makers, its camera clubs and painting places. In a nation of 261, 638, 000 people (1995 census), there is a wide variety of temperaments and testes. Whether in his relation with his children, his barber, his employees, his fellow workers, or the stranger in the next seat on the plane, the American wants to be known as a good guy. It is important to him to be well regarded and one of the reasons why he forms so many clubs and fraternities is so that he may be sure of being surrounded by a comfortable group whose mutual membership pledges them above all things to like each other. Because the average Americans respect work and is quite willing to work with his own hands, he really fears no barrier of clash between himself and the waiters who serve him or the boss who give him orders. Overseas visitors are constantly surprise to find employees and employers calling each other by their first name, and some of them do not like it. They think it shows lack of respect. But Americans do not want respect; they want to be liked. Liking does not readily climb the walls of class or caste. So the walls come down.
Indonesians
In Indonesia most people are not too concerned with the lives of other people. They are more busy taking care of their personal affairs, respectively, they think their problem is difficult enough to overcome especially should pay attention to the surroundings. In Indonesia most prefer violate regulations already set by the government. They think that the rules to be broken. for example: when on a plane there is a rule that States if passengers are not allowed to turn on the HP, but there is still only a switch on the mobile phone, it no longer exists causes the suitability of a person living with each other .
5. Mobility
Americans
Equality does not mean a uniform position on a common level: the variety in human capabilities and the specialized division of labor world make this impossible ever. If it were move through the world gamut of status, from day laborer to corporation president, from immigrant’s son to college professor. to find such stories it is necessary to turn to the fiction of Horation alger , but merely to the biographies of successful. There was a time when no american could hope to become president, from immigrant’s son to college professor. To find such stories it is not necessary to turn to the fiction of horation alger , but merely to the biographies of the successful.
Indonesians
Domestic savings and investment relations in the perspective of saving-investment correlation puzzle is an important indicator in the measurement of capital mobility. With the freedom of capital movements due to openness of the economy in economic integration and globalization of the economy, resulting in the perspective presented by Feldstein and Horioka in 1980 continues to generate debate among researchers. The purpose of this study was to determine the mobility of capital in the perspective of saving-investment correlation puzzle. The method used is descriptive and qualitative analysis based Error Correction Model (ECM) to see the phenomenon of saving-investment correlation puzzle in the short term and long term. These result indicate that the phenomenon of saving-investment correlation puzzle in the short and long term happen in Indonesia. Thus, it indicates a low capital mobility in Indonesia. For example from a marriage, there are a couple, a simple woman, while the man is a high society family, this would make the degree of a woman is going up. There are positive and negative of mobility happens in our lives. One example is the existence of the thing plus a student who is struggling to improve his life with diligent study, while its negative thing is often the case that one conflict with another due wealth or position.
6. The Influence of the Frontier
The American frontier is sharply distinguished from the European frontier ¬ a fortified boundary line running through dense populations. The most significant thing about the American frontier is, that it lies at the hither edge of free land. In the census reports it is treated as the margin of that settlement which has a density of two or more to the square mile. The term is an elastic one, and for our purposes does not need sharp definition. We shall consider the whole frontier belt, including Indian country and the outer margin of the “settled area” of the census reports. The result is that to the frontier the American intellect owe its striking characteristics. That coarseness and strength combined with acuteness and inquisitiveness; that practical, inventive turn of mind, quick to find expedients; that masterful grasp of material things, lacking in the artistic but powerful to effect great ends; that restless, nervous energy; that dominant individualism, working for good and for evil, and withal that buoyancy and exuberance which comes with freedom ¬ these are traits of the frontier. Since the days when the fleet of Columbus sailed into the waters of the New World, America has been another name for opportunity, and the people of the United State have taken their tone from the incessant expansion which has not only been open but has even been forced upon them. The frontier was appealing to settlers because of the promise of new wonders, and land. There was plenty of it, and thanks to manifest destiny and the industrial revolution there was the production of rail lines to connect cities on the East coast, eventually connecting to the west to transport goods. Tourism came into play in the mid 19th century-the Grand Tour in Europe was over-shadowed by the advertisement of America as a “Wonderland”. People then specifically moved to the mid-west and then to California because of the undeveloped, picturesque landscapes, and the American Indians, or the”Noble Savage” were sold as a commodity as the guide to this unexplored frontier.
Indonesians
Indonesia is the country’s border State. The border was passed by the island. Most areas of the border in Indonesia is still the region lags behind with the means and the economic and social infrastructures are still very limited. View of the future and that the border is a region that needs to be watched closely as a hiding place the rebels have made border development paradigm in favor of the welfare approach to security. The border is expected to give the principles of the development of the Country’s borders in accordance with the characteristics of its current status to violence from surrounding areas that are more developed or for synergy with the development of a single State with other countries. In addition, these policies and strategies aimed at keeping later or secure areas of the State border from attempts to exploit natural resources, whether undertaken by public or performed with the encouragement of interest neighboring countries, so that economic activity can be done in a more selective and optimized. The State must fight Indonesian, working hard to take her right back. For example: a number of areas that are taken by other countries, so that Indonesia had begun to lose its natural resources, such as the island. Indonesia lacks in terms of maintaining the richness of his own country, more interested in money. To restore the borders that have been taken, therefore we have to prepare a good infrastructure and facilities though cost is enormous.
7. The American creed
Americans
United States is a country that most religious and most diverse of all the religions of Western industrial countries. Half of Americans, religious affiliation changes they bring from childhood, and underwent a change when stepping up. They leave the religion is being taught to them when it’s childhood. Overall, the higher the education level and income of Americans, they don’t believe in belief about the intervention of God. But if they follow the religious rituals, it is the belief that God is the same height as those in education and income levels are lower. Religion in America such as: Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, Jewish and the other. Meanwhile, 46 percent of Catholic followers in America was no longer going to church. The rest, there are between Catholics who convert to Protestantism and other religions. The religious changes, one of which is due to the influence of marriages between adherents of a religion. But, many of those who do not adhere to any religion, aka became an atheist. The tendency in the West, the decrease in other religions, not because of the increasingly powerful cultural materialism, and is no longer bound by their human religion as a belief. This is what is now happening in the United States and other Western countries, who left their religion, due to the influence of religion in life away, due to the influence of materialism is increasingly prominent. Religion ceased to be a determinant factor in public life.
Indonesians
Religion in Indonesia plays an important role in people’s lives. This is stated in the Indonesian national ideology, Pancasila: “Almighty Deity”. A number of religions in Indonesia collective influence on politics, economics and culture. In 2010, approximately 85.1% of the 240,271,522 residents of Indonesia is Muslim, 9.2% Protestant, 3.5% Catholic, 1.8% Hindu, and 0.4% Buddhist.
In the 1945 Constitution states that “each citizen is given the freedom to choose and practice the faith” and “guarantee everything will be the freedom to worship, according to the religion or belief”. Government, however, officially only recognizes six religions, namely Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
With so many religions and faiths in Indonesia, inter-religious conflict is often inevitable. Moreover, the political leadership of Indonesia plays an important role in the relations between groups and classes. The transmigration program has indirectly caused a number of conflicts in eastern Indonesia.
8. Humor
Americans
American humor refers collectively to the conventions and common threads that tie together humor in the United States. It is often defined in comparison to the humor of another country – for example, how it is different from British humor and Canadian humor. It is, however, difficult to say what makes a particular type or subject of humor particularly American. Humor usually concerns aspects of American culture, and depends on the historical and current development of the country’s culture. The extent to which an individual will personally find something humorous obviously depends on a host of absolute and relative variables, including, but not limited to geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, and context. People of different countries will therefore find different situations funny. Just as American culture has many aspects which differ from other nations, these cultural differences may be a barrier to how humor translates to other countries.
Indonesians
Indonesia also have many kinds of quality humor. and Indonesia also have a lot of comedians and the comedians were also less when compared to the United States. Moreover, if we see the comedians now even more widely used in both hosted and filmed humor.
I will try to explain the differences that exist in the United States and Indonesia. In accordance with the final test of semester assignment given by Mr. Parlin.
2. Materialism
America
Generally, Americans are materialistic. Why I said like that? They define their lives by how much stuff they have, to a large degree our personal and business relationships are defined by how much money they make, and even most of the important dates on our calendar are all about materialism. They also said that “We are the most materialistic society in the history of the world, and our endless greed is going to end up swallowing us alive”. The examples of their materialistic are they throw outrageous birthday parties for their kids and they shower them with gifts. Most of their, holidays have become highly materialistic, and the biggest holiday of all in their society is Christmas. It is an absolute orgy of materialism. Have you ever heard American dream? If we talk about American dream, they start talking about a house, a car, vacations, retirement, sending your kids to college, etc and the American Dream has become all about money and stuff. Always want more and more although they had had all.
Indonesia
We know that Indonesia is a country rich in natural resources, a strategic and conducive. The most important thing that how about human resources? In Indonesia of origin where half of the population live in poverty and getting enough to eat is more important than anything else, intrinsic values deemed as conducive to elevating humanity seemed profound. Religion plays a significant role in every aspects of Indonesian life. The teachings of religion become inner substance-fostering system that prevents inclination towards materialism. Indonesians, especially Jakarta’s society however has undergone abrupt, layered changes and there is a struggle to find one’s place, to stake one’s claim as they are finding their feet with the impact of globalization, advances in media and technology, and in coping with dynamic economic changes. As a whole, the greatest fracture is the tension between religious traditions and a social condition in which the superficial appearance becomes more important than the inner substance.
Studies suggest that people from less economically developed nations tend to emphasize on materialistic goals (of which brand consciousness being one of the characteristics) than those of economically developed nations. It holds true in Indonesia. Materialism is apparent among the expanding middle-class living in urban areas. As soon as people get a leg up, they start buying by labels and showing off their new wealth. Differ from West European countries; for instance, where average citizen is concerned, consumerism is relatively subdued, focused more on value, functionality or practicality.
Cultural and historical differences do construct different tendencies towards materialism. A study by the Consumer Research Association comparing consumer’s level of materialism between East Asians (collectivistic society) and Americans (individualistic society) has found that while consumers in both cultures place equivalent levels of importance on owning “nice” objects, East Asians tend to place a relatively high degree of importance on other people’s perceptions (public-self reflection) while their American counterparts place high degree of importance on private-self (private-self reflection). The corresponding public self focuses on how one is viewed by others (i.e. peers, family, friends etc), guided not by self-knowledge but rather self-in-relation to specific others. The corresponding private self refers to one’s feelings, motivations, and thoughts, behavior of which is guided by preferences, personal values and convictions. The differences also reveals that East Asian consumers, in particular, appear to have an attraction for high image, high status products such as Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc.
3. The ideal service
America
American volunteer team never looked at a person’s background. Americans have a great volunteer spirit. They always help people affected by natural disasters and America also providing services to an offender is about more than just helping the person leaving prison.
Indonesia
Indonesian volunteers tend to see who wants to be helped. Help not heartfelt. One example is the flood victims. Many people who lived in the house because the disaster that did not happen to them. Lack of cooperation and disregard for others still look at Indonesia.
4. A nation of conformists
America
Individualist cultures such as in the United States put more emphasis on freedom and personal independence. They are more likely for free to be creative. Child where they are directed and financed their will. People America never forced his son to his parents own volition. With the adjustment between parent and child, to trigger a better relationship. Conformity is regarded not as a response to social pressure, but as a way to establish rapport with others and to fulfill the moral obligation.
Indonesia
Conformity is totally different with Indonesia. In our country also happen like fights or brawls between students is a form of juvenile delinquency are often experienced by teens and even brawl that lately we have heard no longer fights or brawls between students but also the fighting between students at a college in our country. Although we have regulation, we always break them. We know that we are a civilized nation and religion. Why do we not apply the rules of that? This is what causes the bad value conformity in Indonesia because Indonesia is currently the numbers of adolescents are affected by changing times in a group.
5. Success goal
When talking about success in America, we should not hesitate to it. We know that Americans dubbed the workhorse. So only if reasonable they are successful in life. I got new news that American success because of the environment, industry, population, instruments, assessments and skills practice or human resources. Totally different with Indonesia, although Indonesia is rich in natural resources, a strategic and culturally rich but poor in human resources and would not struggle or work hard.
6. Mobility
Every member of society is always changing, shifting, increase, or decrease in the status and role. From the above sentence mean social mobility. We know that America has always increased mobility, both in terms of economics and business. Many Americans have mastered the technology. In other words they are the advanced countries, in contrast to Indonesia. Indonesia is a developing country. And we can predict that the mobility in Indonesia progressively worse, for example economically. Social stratification in Indonesia predominantly middle and lower. The concept of mobility is in practice being linked to one another and it is difficult to determine which as a consequence and cause. As an example for the occurrence of changes in social status, a person forced to leave their homes because of lack of employment opportunities, or reverse social mobility often lead to the existence of geographic mobility that comes with all the painful losses, the disappearance of social ties that have been so long established.
7. American creed
The American’s Creed was a result of a nationwide contest for writing a National Creed, which would be a brief summary of the American political faith founded upon things fundamental in American history and tradition. The United States had been a participant in World War I only a little over a year at the time the Creed was adopted. The author of the American’s Creed, William Tyler Page, was a descendant of John Page, who had come to America in1650 and had settled in Williamsburg, Virginia. If we talk about American creed, it’s about tradition and also religion. In America is dominant Christian. And the churches there are very appreciated and secured at the time of conducting worship. We see in Indonesia, Indonesia is a country of law and religion. There are five religions in Indonesia they are, Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. But, why is not there a sense of comfort when conducting worship? We should emulate the United State, although different religions but mutual respect.
1. MATERIALISM
AMERICAN
Most Americans believe that more money equals a better life. Materialism, like capitalism, is a defining factor of the American way of life. As with all things, materialism has its good and bad points. It is a trend that paints the American picture. It gives a perception of wealth and prosperity. However, it is commonly a shallow depiction of reality. The possession of things does not equate to financially stability. Regardless of how it is viewed, it defines us, motivates us, and moves our economy more than any other custom. Americans do not like to be called materialistic because they feel that is unfairly accuses them of loving only material things and of having no religious values. In fact, most Americans do have other values and ideals. Americans are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
INDONESIAN
The materialistic accusation probably comes from the fact that Indonesian culture is strongly patriarchy, where men are expected to be the sole breadwinner in the family and women depend entirely on their husband financially. So, it’s not surprising if in the old days, instead of encouraging girls to get high education and being self-empowered, parents would encourage their girls to find a rich husband as the shortcut to be rich. This culture, though, is now slowly shifted to the other direction. Maybe women finally realized that finding a rich-without-being-corrupt husband is not that easy either.
2. THE IDEAL OF SERVICE
AMERICAN
Service as an ideal has spread out into many branches of American life. More and more the institutions of a community are expected to participate the needs of the citizen, and to make possible a healthier, happier, richer life. Based on the film “Act of Valor”, describe that the warrior dedicated his whole life just to defend and save the country. That film is dedicated to the following warriors of Naval Special Warfare who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9/11. Although he has a family, he still goes served and left his pregnant wife. And this is a true story.
INDONESIAN
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (Indonesian: Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI; formerly Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia, ABRI) those are our Heros in our country Indonesia. Indonesian military continue its involvement and contribution in United Nations peacekeeping missions. After 1999, Indonesian troops went to Africa as part of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The TNI has also served with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
3. A NATION OF CONFORMISTS
AMERICAN
One aspects of American life most visitors agree on is its conformity. Because they had to establish traditions, because they had to absorb millions of people from diverse cultures, Americans tended to insist upon conformity in fundamentals. Americans find themselves competing in a global economy, and there will continue to be cycles of upturns and downturns. The American tradition of abundance has had a profound effect on the lifestyles and values of the American people. On the positive side many Americans now recycle alumunium and tin cans, plastic and paper bags. They become more protective of their environment. Nevertheless, old habits are hard to change. Many Americans are optimistic about their future, but others are pessimistic about the economy of their country and its ability to expand forever.
INDONESIAN
Preservation functions directed at the introduction and deepening of noble values that are universal culture, and a wealth of culture that is priceless, which is expected to grow and strengthen a sense of patriotism and national pride. Ethnic cultures are sometimes so strong shackle, need to be understood as a collection of individuals united culture into specific ethnic cross-cultural issues, therefore, can only be unbridgeable with the understanding that the integrity of a nation can be formed with an awareness of every individual and every ethnic consciousness organized in a nation, so the need to build individual awareness and consciousness of ethnicity as a set of individuals.
4. MOBILITY
AMERICAN
A recent study in the United States said that the cause of an obstacle to economic growth and the rate of tax is not a weak domestic demand, but rather the low mobility of the U.S. population. Available jobs, but employees who are reluctant to move and approached the job.
INDONESIAN
Indonesia’s economic growth rate is very progressive, but not evenly. Especially in eastern Indonesia. During the 2011, Indonesia became more productive, with the calculation of PDB growth of 6.5 percent. But the problems that accompany substantial economic growth, inflation is rising. Media in Indonesia exaggerate the fact that the number of unemployed and poor people has increased with the level of economic growth in 2011. The strange thing is, despite rising levels of poverty, migration rate is reduced.
5. THE INFLUENCE OF THE FRONTIER
AMERICAN
Many people are still fascinated by the frontier because it has been particularly important in shaping American values. For many years , the frontier experience was romanticized in popular movies and television shows that featured cowboy heroes fighting Indian villains. The America frontier consisted of the relatively unsettled regions of the United States, usually found in the western part of the country.
The frontier provided many inspiring examples of hard work as forests were turned into towns, and towns into large cities. The competitive race for success was rarely more colorful or adventurous than on the western frontier.
INDONESIAN
The border region of East Kalimantan has a very important meaning both economic, geo-political, defense and security because it is directly adjacent to neighboring areas (Sabah) Malaysia which has a relatively better economy. Natural resources are owned in the area is quite abundant, but until now relatively not used optimally. On the other hand, there are many urgent problems to be addressed due to the large impact and harm that can be caused.
6. THE AMERICAN CREED
AMERICAN
America’s creed is blessedly simple. Freedom, equality, democracy and America as the promised land, the new Jerusalem. What Thomas Jefferson had in mind when he invoked “the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our fathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaries and comforts of life.” President Obama rejects this creed. He doesn’t buy the city-on-a-hill stuff. He sees particular nations as a blur; only the global community is big enough for him. He is at home on the exalted level of whole races and peoples and the vast, paternal power of central governments.
INDONESIAN
The weakness of President Yudhoyono’s leadership is basically rooted in his ambiguity and indecisiveness in controlling the militant Islamists. The effects of Yudhoyono’s weakness are far reaching. The central and local authorities have no clear guidance from the president on the protection of religious freedom and the management of religiously based conflicts.
7. HUMOR
AMERICAN
The founders of modern American stand-up comedy include Jack Benny, Bob Hope, George Burns, Fred Allen, Milton Berle and Frank Fay all of whom came from vaudeville. They spoke directly to the audience as themselves, in front of the curtain, known as performing “in one”. Historically, Stand Up Comedy itself has been around in the 18th century in Europe and America. There comedian actor is commonly called the “stand up comic” or simply referred to as “comic”. The comic is usually given various humorous stories, short jokes or criticism in the form of satire to something that nature tends common with assorted servings of movement and style. You also probably know the famous Hollywood actors such as Woody Allen, Rowan Atkinson, Chris Rock, Will Ferrell and Jim Carrey ever wrestle in this field. The average of their Hollywood star began his career in the world’s first low tide Stand Up Comedy before known what it is today.
INDONESIAN
In Indonesia there are many traditional humor, such as:
– Slapstick Mataram for example, usually start the show with a monologue raises a comedian; namely Basiyo example, after ger-Geran between five to ten minutes, then the format of the group in action.
– Ketoprak performances. In ketoprak performances, especially in the segment of slapstick, a comedian usually opens communication with the audience for a moment and then followed by interaction with a comedian or other players.
– Art Ludruk. in the show ludruk; session Jula-July, featuring the single comedian besides singing Jula-July with hilarious poems are constantly updated, as well, slipping monologue funny material between utterance-utterance light.
– Puppet. Although it is not one hundred percent puppet on comedy. But when the clown appears, ki mastermind always display the comedy. Ki mastermind at that time was virtually act as befits a comic.
America is a big country that be placed by many different people that exist not only from the original civil but also the frontier who come to this state for many reason of their lives. It makes America have a lot of various human characters which developed this country become until like this time. But there are seven American characters that majorly they have such a : success as a goal, materialism, the ideal of service, a nation of conformist, mobility, the influence of the frontier, and humorist. In this written I would like to compare whether those seven characters also Indonesian have.
Success as a goal
American
Success is a something that almost every people in around the world want to reach. Even not an American that always like to work hard every day that maybe purposed to grab a success in their hand someday. But for the American success not just means necessarily materials talk about. They believe that everyone have their own meaning for a success. It can we see from a freedom of a son that free to built their own career without have to following his parents job although his parents is a success man on his field. That son have an urge to develop his own career and give his greatest effort until he reach his own success and their parents give a regard for him. Thus, success maybe still becomes a goal of every American life but they figure it as a different meaning and they like to rate a success from how a people try to prove that they deserve to get a success.
Indonesian
For Indonesian a success word is a dream that everyone wished to be real and they will do anything to get it. Since there is so many Indonesian people that live in a poverty line until now, the Indonesian is tend to judge a success from a materials or level that someone have. Therefore, there are many Indonesian is like to reach a success of their field from anyway that they can do just to make their life looks precious and better than the other one. Because of that a success meaning for Indonesian can be measured from some material like car, house, jewel, or the other luxury things that they have. And the main different from a character that American have is the Indonesian is prefer to get a success without give a great effort to reach it.
Materialism
American
The acquisition of money is important as the clearest proof of success, though there are other proofs such as prominence, public notice, good works, and fame. But the retention of money is not important at all. Indeed, it may be frowned upon if it keeps the owner from living well, subscribing generously to a long list of charities, and providing for members of the family who may have been less fortunate. Especially for America which had got much blessed with their ability, welfare, richness, and knowledge of their land. Materialism is not something culture that fix with American have because they almost have anything that they need in their lives. They prefer to develop all they wealth that they have to create something that more needed to make their life simpler.
Indonesian
Indonesian is such a country that has a great potential and rich nature which can be exploited to developed this country. Perhaps, that it can`t be felt till this time by many Indonesian that always hope to get a welfare for their lives. In order that, a materialism is not a strange culture for Indonesia. That was a film that famous in the 18th century in Indonesia that name “Siti Nurbaya” that story about materialism life of a mother that ungrudgingly give her daughter to be married with a rich land lord just to get a better life with all wealthy that the man have. Although the story is not just roll in a movie but in a real life it could happened in this country. For a reason to get a value material that they need in their lives. For instance, there is some parents that exploited a bent that they children have from the young age to be an entertainer on some TV show just to get a big pay for every single show that actually waste their time to have a lot of experience to play and study. Believe or not that case is still happened in this country until now.
The ideal of service
American
America is a wealthy nation that known have a great sense of humanity. Although the American also fame with an individualist habit they always have a charity sense with the other human beings. For example, one of creditable action that they do is when Indonesia got a big catastrophe on 2006 that is Tsunami they are the first country that give a free aid to Aceh. And there is so many case that could figured America as a country that like to give a service to the others. Meanwhile, for American to help each other is not a hard job to do because they know that everyone have to give their hand when anyone need it.
Indonesian
Indonesia is a country that had many kind of organization public service that established to give a service to all Indonesian people who need a support. An organization that like to help a poverty people is the most group of public service that stand in this country. All their support from a food, medicine, or some small emergency school that they built to help some Indonesian people that have an unwell chance to live probably is less from the support of government. Actually all the poverty people in Indonesia the responsibility of the government but he seems like to close his eyes to see there is so many people that needs a better service for their lives. Another example that Indonesia is not deserve to called as a nation that ideal of service is when some region of this country got a disaster like flood or maybe a cruel disaster such a tsunami that is poor to heard the first hand that like to give a help is come from the other country like America, Japan, or Australia that their place is so far away.
Nation of conformist
American
Conformity in America is one of culture which we easy to see from the attitude and appearance of them. The American is tend to doing anything that he wants without thing about dignity or some another word like that. There is so many American movie that story about a people lifestyle in America which have a picture that a class or level is not a point that people can be act like a king or queen. We could that there is so many manager or director of some famous company is prefer to dressed and looks like the other people normally. I have watched some a daily activities show of the number on director of Microsoft Corporation that is Bill Gate when someday he visiting some school in North Arizona he like to dressed with a simple clothes and a medium pants that very far from his picture that he is a number one person in Microsoft corp. So I can get a conclusion that American is like to be conform with anyone or anyplace that where they are is standing right now.
Indonesian
Conformity meaning for the Indonesian is very different with the concept that American have. For the Indonesian they just like to look same with the other people just for the reason that they like normal an same with the other. The Indonesian don`t like to looks diverge with the other because a different attitude or appearance that they have will tend to make the other people is thing bad even looks like walked away from them. That is sometimes that makes any different in Indonesia seems like mix with one color that closed by a fear to be something different from the other people in Indonesia.
Mobility
American
For the country like America that have a values of equality, a mobility system is widely open. Therefore, everyone in America is deserve to be anything that he wants without see from what kind of family or where he is come from. If they have a desire to be something there is no people or rules that will hold them to be a figure that they want. It is because the equality value that always live in America that makes every people can do a social mobility if they want to do it. For example, there is so many member of American rock band that come from the unknown people or dark background of their lives which now become a famous people and a rock stars that maybe so many people around the world is revere them. For example, the punk rock band like `Green Day` that have a background just a three normal teenage that come from suburbia village but now become one of rock band that can scream out and do tour in every city in entire world. That`s all just because an American is always have a big desire as his effort and they have an opportunity to make they dream come true.
Indonesian
The social mobility that happened in Indonesia is not too same with the American have. A mobility system in Indonesia is tend closing move. If there in America have a equal chance to make and get a success, in Indonesia that system is seems hard to do. Since in Indonesia looks like have a mark that who have a bigger support like money is have more chance to get through. For instance, some poverty that wants to make their life better is difficult to make it because even they have a son that had a more ability but they don`t even have money to develop his ability like go to school there is almost none opportunity to make a social mobility in their family. Compared with a family that have an enough in economy will always able to have an opportunity to make their son get in school to build up their mind even until in college class to become a great success man someday.
The influence of the frontier
American
The influence that American have from all frontier which come and live in their country is exist even from the past time. The American habit that love to work and collected a material things is come from the European character in long years ago that like to do an explored and an invasion another region just to get a prosperity. In present time, an effect that frontier have brought to America is like fashion or mode in clothes trend. The American is like to copy a fashion style that proceed from European country like France, Italian, or Deutschland that truly is a direction of mode that will be a trend in America and also in the world.
Indonesian
Indonesia is a country which have accepted many influence of the frontier. But because Indonesia is one of nation that joined in the east country that known as a closed country is not easy to give an influence for Indonesia especially a culture that come from the west region. For Indonesia, a different culture that frontier bring usually first off filtered and if the effect is fix with the culture that Indonesian have it will be accept kindly. For example, the Melayu music that is presented a slow or pop music flow is more easy to be taken Indonesian than a rock or some hard music genre that mostly come from the culture of west nation.
Humorist
American
Actually American have a high sense of humor. That character we can see clearly from a lot of comedy show that live on their national TV program. A comedy show that we often have seen like sitcom and stand up comedy was actually inspired by American comedy show in the past. The comedy show in America had early started famous on the 90s time where the America channel like to show a sitcom. The sitcom is prefer story about a daily life of a simple family in America or a workers in some office that always like to joking up each other. All those story is really take from a character of American that known friendly, easy going, and love to joke with all people in around them not even their boss or director of the office that they work.
Indonesian
Indonesian also known as a people that kind, openly, and humorist. In this country a people who have a humor sense or love to make a joke usually pleased by everyone and have a lot of friend. A humor sense become a good point to make other people are interested with ourselves. An Indonesian always need some entertain things like a joke or humor to at least make them forget although a minute all problem that always pushed in around their lives. A problem like economy, government policy, or maybe traffic jam is some of pressure that almost every Indonesian have everyday. And a little taste of joke or humor is become an effective cure for all Indonesian people that have stress and tired of all those problem. Therefore, a humor is being a requirement for Indonesian and always will needed.
2. Materialism
America
Materialism in America pushes and pulls at most of us. It pushes us to work harder and achieve more. However, the achievements are thin and meaningless when compared to the great accomplishments life has to offer. Getting married and starting a family are two major life changes that many put on hold because the situation is not perfect. Owning a home was often a goal for young couples to achieve before having children. The increasing power of materialism has taken that simple plan and magnified it. Now that same young couple will keep waiting until they have the right house in a prestigious neighborhood. Those points in life that give it true meaning are held back by the desire to be measured against a ruler that is constantly changing.
Americans use the material goods that they possess as the measuring stick for greatness. The more money an individual has then the higher up in the social order they will go. Many people believe that when they get money and can afford the material possessions that reveals their economic position; they expect for the rest of society to treat them according to their new found status. This is not a bad thing, but the problems that arise from this way of thinking is that too much emphasis is being placed on the material and the “imposed importance” that it brings.
In the United States many Americans do not have to work hard to gain the acceptance and respect of the people around them. Certain material possessions will gain them the respect of most people within our culture. As a matter of fact their character isn’t even the issue when it comes to the size of their house, the cost of their car, and the amount of money they make on their job. This helps to explain why people within American society can be poor and treated like trash and then hit the lottery and have the world treating them like royalty.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a country full of paradoxes. Level of public welfare concern in the midst of abundant natural resources. Misuse of aid coloring natural disasters that struck the community. Poverty, high education, health and unemployment have occurred massively in the middle of the level of welfare officials, whether executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, which continued to increase rapidly.
In the midst of the reality of the State based upon the belief in God Almighty, Indonesia faced with the great enemy of social life called corruption. Based on the paradoxes that exist, the author perceives that corruption is a genuine threat to Indonesia. That is, a threat that truly comes from the national reality and without pressure from outside parties. All elements of the nation who clearly loves his people, including government, academia, NGOs, and society in general would regard as an enemy to be combated. That is, the anti-corruption in Indonesia should be developed in the middle of the reality that surrounded the tendency to live in luxury.
In the middle of determination materialism in Indonesia, stratification is not running without meaning. Categories of poor, middle and top also carries social implications of different treatments. Dwell on the primary needs, which means the poor have an impact on social status as a society are “useless”. And in a social event must be prepared to be a party that has always received the order. For the middle of course get better social treatment. In a social event, at least they can act as a supervisor who incidentally already has the authority to initiate and submit proposals. While the upper classes are often treated as if it was he who had the community itself. They are the group of directors or even the company owner has the right to rule and accepted his proposal.
3. The ideal service
America
Volunteers of America has always been dedicated to helping all people in need, no matter what their circumstances. We don’t judge people for the poor choices that may have contributed to their current situation, but rather look for ways to correct their lives in the present in order to improve their futures. This mission is especially evident in our work with offenders leaving prison. Americans have a great volunteer spirit. They always help people affected by natural disasters, one natural disaster tsunami in Aceh. Not a bit of assistance provided by them to the nation of Indonesia in the form of moral and material assistance. They spend a lot of assistance to help citizens of other countries who are in a disaster.
America also providing services to an offender is about more than just helping the person leaving prison. It’s also a service to the community, and a service to children and other family members to whom the offender will be returning. They work to strengthen whole families, and ensure that the children of offenders don’t repeat the bad choices made by their parents.
Indonesia
Community service in Indonesia tend to have some fundamental problems. In addition to organizing and effectiveness of public participation in the provision of services is still relatively low, public services also do not have complaints and dispute settlement mechanisms. As a result, product quality is also not satisfactory service to its users even public services are now discriminated against by certain parties against certain social classes.
In addition, public services in Indonesia are also not responsive to the community
with special needs, including vulnerable groups, the disabled, elderly and remote indigenous communities.
For example, the fate of children with special needs or disabilities in Indonesia, is very alarming and has lagged far behind other Asian countries. Their fate is still marginalized in almost all sectors, from education, employment, until the availability of public facilities that are less friendly. Community service in Indonesia needs to learn a lot from the neighboring countries so that every prospect of service in Indonesia have a good quality and quantity
4. A nation of conformists
America
Conformity of everyday experience shaped by cultural context. Individualist cultures such as in the United States put more emphasis on freedom and personal independence. Children are taught to be independent and assertive; children were given lots of freedom and encouraged to be creative. In this cultural context, the negative aspects of conformity tends to be emphasized. Conformity pressure from groups considered to threaten the uniqueness of the individual. Conformity is considered to eliminate the autonomy and personal control. Conversely, in collectivist cultures, such as in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the meaning of different conformity. Collectivist cultures emphasize the importance of ties with social groups. Parents are very concerned about obedience, proper behavior, and respect for the traditions of the group. In this cultural context, the positive aspects of conformity is emphasized. Conformity is regarded not as a response to social pressure, but as a way to establish rapport with others and to fulfill the moral obligation.
Indonesia
One of conformity behavior in Indonesia that is conformity between the groups in other words the brawls or disputes between groups or between students.
Fights or brawls between students is a form of juvenile delinquency are often experienced by teens and even brawl that lately we have heard no longer fights or brawls between students but also the fighting between students at a college in our country. Not to mention the fighting is considered reasonable by adults. The problem is no longer fighting juvenile delinquency problem that only happens in many large cities such as Surabaya, Jakarta, Medan brawl but the problem is already a problem in many cities in Indonesia. And based on data that there are cases brawl between teens is getting more and more increasing in number. This is what causes the bad value conformity in Indonesia because Indonesia is currently the number of adolescents are affected by changing times in a group.
5. Success goal
America
For those Americans that everyone should have equal opportunity to enter the race and win. In other words, equality of opportunity can be regarded as rules of ethics. This helps ensure that the race to succeed is an unfair and that person does not win just because he was born into a wealthy family, or lost because of race. It is important to understand what most Americans mean when they say that they believe in equality of opportunity. People who like to compete is often more successful than others, and many were honored as the winner. On the other hand, those who do not like to compete and those who do not succeed when they try sometimes rejected and called a loser. Someone has to compete with others. This is the price paid for equality of opportunity. It is expected that everyone should strive to be successful.
Indonesia
As citizens we should be proud that Indonesia has many advantages when compared with other states. State of the Republic of Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago consisting of 17,504 islands, including the 9634 islands that have not been given the names and 6,000 uninhabited islands. Indonesia has the third largest of six islands in the world, namely the island of Borneo (the third largest island in the world wide with 539 460 km2), the island of Sumatra (473,606 km2) and Guinea (421 981 km2). Indonesia is the largest maritime country in the world with waters covering an area of 93 thousand km2 and the length of the beach about 81 thousand km2, or almost 25% of the length of the beach in the world. Indonesia is a country with the largest tribes in the world. Indonesia is a producer of liquefied natural gas in the world. Indonesia has the richest coral reefs in the world. Indonesia is ranked first in agricultural products, namely cloves and nutmeg, and ranked second in natural rubber and crude palm oil. Indonesia is the largest exporter of plywood, which is about 80% in world markets. Has the largest mangrove forest in the world. This plant is useful for prevent erosion by the sea or coastal erosion. How proud I am to have natural resources in Indonesia, this is a success goals in Indonesia.
6. Mobility
America
There are two aspects economic mobility in the United States. The first is the question of intergenerational mobility, or the degree to which the economic success of children is independent of the economic status of their parents. A higher level of intergenerational mobility is often interpreted as a sign of greater fairness, or equality of opportunity, in a society. The second aspect is the short-term question of the amount by which family incomes change from year to year. By studying short-term mobility we can determine whether incomes are rising or falling for families at different points in the income distribution. We can also determine whether the size of these income variations, or the level of annual income volatility, is changing over time. Increased volatility is undesirable to the extent that it represents an increase in economic insecurity.
Indonesia
Understanding of social mobility in Indonesia include group and individual mobility. For example Mr. Abdul family success is evidence of individual mobility; is the outflow of the population together of regional pockets of poverty on the island of Java to a more fertile so that their welfare is relatively better than in the area of origin, is an example of the mobility group. Third, psychic mobility, which are aspects of social-psychological consequences of social change. In this case is concerned their attitude changes must be accompanied by shaking the soul.
The concept of mobility is in practice be linked to one another and it is difficult to determine which as a consequence and cause. As an example for the occurrence of changes in social status, a person forced to leave their homes because of lack of employment opportunities, or reverse social mobility often lead to the existence of geographic mobility that comes with all the painful losses, the disappearance of social ties that have been so long established. Similarly, geographical mobility will affect toward social mobility, even at the same time affect the mental or psychic mobility of individuals and society.
7. American creed
America
Tradition refuses the “state church” in America has allowed Christianity to flourish and succeed. Most Americans call themselves Christians. Even so, many of them who are Christians only, or limited to the predicate holds beliefs that totally deviated from orthodox Christian beliefs. Secularism and the Eastern religions have changed the confidence of Americans in the last hundred years. However, Americans regularly attend church, averaging about ten times more often than people in European countries. Although they are one of the most faithful people in the world, their society is also synonymous with depravity and decency. Generally, Americans believe in hard work, self reliance, individual achievement, and service award.
Indonesia
Genuine religion Nusantara is the traditional religions that existed before Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism into Indonesia. Perhaps many in Indonesia society no longer know that before the religions “official” (a recognized religion); Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism and Buddhism, Confucianism and now, into the Archipelago or Indonesia. In the Republic of Indonesia, indigenous religions, the archipelago is degraded as the teaching animist, pagan / rock or just as a cult. Until now, none of the religions and indigenous beliefs archipelago which is recognized in the Republic of Indonesia as a religion with the rights to be included on ID cards, birth certificates, marriage records in the Office of Civil Registry, etc. Over time and era, Religion Original Archipelago getting extinct and disappear, even if there is embraced it, usually in rural areas such as for example the interior of Sumatra and Irian Jaya inland.
In Indonesia, the most cult followers are Buhun Religion. The data recorded by the researcher Abdul Rozak, author of Theology Mysticism Sunda, indicate the number of religious adherents are 100 thousand people.
Humor
America
In America, humor is also the important factor. American slapsticks which are mostly shown through TV sitcom or standing humor are very popular. Even humor has its own “stage” performance, just like opera. Yet, you need to understand American culture to grasp the “humor” of the story. Besides slapsticks, comics are another media for Americans to express humor. Comic strips can be found in newspapers and magazines. Humor usually concerns aspects of American culture, and depends on the historical and current development of the country’s culture. The extent to which an individual will personally find something humorous obviously depends on a host of absolute and relative variables, including, but not limited to geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, and context. People of different countries will therefore find different situations funny. Just as American culture has many aspects which differ from other nations, these cultural differences may be a barrier to how humor translates to other countries. American humor might also be distinguished by its most common type of humor, for example, more slapstick and physical comedy.
Indonesia
Indonesians are also very fond of humor, such as lenong, play on, sermons, songs, live show, etc. Many artists and comedy group, which emerged and have a place in Indonesia, such as Benjamin S., Us Us, Srimulat, Warkop, Opera Van Java, etc.
In the early era of Indonesia’s independence, humor talks a lot around household conflicts and the cultures, life within a particular culture or conflicts that arise due to differences in lifestyle due to cultural influences. Of course, many conflicts that arise with the culture of Indonesia are very diverse, but when it is conveyed through humor, it can break the ice and become a very attractive entertainment.
When the younger generation in Indonesia began to recognize the educational, a lot of humor in the lift of life around the college students combined with cultural conflict and social status.