Paper short abstract:

This paper will analyze the grass-roots level of modernization of daily life in Indonesia. For it, this paper focuses on negative human nature like envy and shame, and also relationships with neighbors, family members, and friends. From this case study, we may also seek hints for alternative modern.

Paper long abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the modernization of daily life in current Indonesia by focus on changes of material objects and motives for changing.

Indonesia is a developing country, and like other developing countries, Indonesia has been economically stratified with large gaps even among rural areas. In recent years, Indonesia becomes one of promising countries for international investment, and the people also enjoying the rapid growth of the economy. Such condition is also accelerating the changes of their way of life from its traditional one.

Their life is also incorporated into the world market economy. Materials used for household utilities, foods, water, and fuels, which are indispensable for to sustain one's life. Traditionally they used wood, bamboo, rattan, clay, and so on which have been existing around their residence, however these are replaced with new materials like plastic, glass, stainless steel, ceramics, and so on, and these are often imported ones. And the fuels are changed from the organic ones to fossil ones or electronics. Rationality, convenience, sanitation, while these positive reasons are often taken as the main motives for modernization, negative human nature like jealousy, envy, greed, and shame also push the progress. Such human feelings are based on the relationship with neighbors, family members, friends, therefore, for to see the modernization, we should focus on such relationships too.

From this case study, we may seek hints for alternative modern.