Friday, January 20, 2017

Week 3 - Regina Kwon

Paris, France—while it’s true that for the most part sophistication and taste instantly comes into mind, this particular country did not become luxurious overnight. Like South Korea, France was not a graceful nation before things got going. Paris had urban degradation and sprawl not to mention serious effects from sewage. However, DeJean subtly claims that France’s strong persona helped it reach national aesthetics. Certainly, King Louis XIV successfully crafted a “national personality” for France. DeJean mentions that a guide for Italians described France as “the country of desire” (17). I reflect on what I said in last week’s blog about South Korea—the government focused on fulfilling desires by providing desirable outcomes. Strictly adhering to the King’s plan, Colbert gave individuals responsibility along with a sense of historical, cultural, and artistic pride. In Usher’s words: “The 'Grand Monarch’ was to be surrounded by a luxury and magnificence that should represent new standards of artistic achievement” (238). Indeed, the ability and devotion to promote one’s homeland through art and culture was essential at the time and still is, mainly because tourism is a salient and predominant factor that contributes to France’s national identity. It took proper planning, intense willingness, and masterminds (more or less) for France to rebrand itself and basically become bigger and better. That said, any nation with a combination of these qualities can positively transform and rebrand itself. 

Indonesia has a republic type of government; hence, the country’s name is similar to The Republic of South Korea: The Republic of Indonesia. Primarily based on the idea of sovereignty, the Indonesian government is one that will most likely provide for its diverse population of people through rebranding the nation as a whole. South Korea has come far with the help of its government. There is no doubt that Indonesia, too, can thrive in regard to national rebranding because its government system is so similar to that of South Korea’s. This gives me hope that Indonesia’s government can effectively integrate resources and execute plans for rebranding. Upgrading and uplifting the communities and properties might ensure this. however, the main concern is whether or not Indonesia will be able to confidently pour a lot of money and financial aid into a particular project or idea. Speaking of governments, though Indonesia is made up of many individual islands, it remains largely considerate of collectivity. To be clear, Indonesia’s national motto is “Unity in Diversity,” so I assume that their government has been strong and tight-knit for awhile. Perhaps, Indonesian tourism can largely focus on the idea of upward growth, newness, and cultural discovery. Importantly, potential visitors would likely want to come in order to see Indonesia—not just a small representative part of it—and dig deeper into what exactly it is or can be that makes the entire country so unique and relevant.
Question: How might industry and national identity clash with instead of build from each other? 
Sources: DeJean, Joan. The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour. Free Press: New York. 
"Government of Indonesia." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Nov. 2016. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. 
Usher, Abbott P. “Colbert and Governmental Control of Industry in Seventeenth Century France.” The Review of Economics and Statistics 16.11 (1934): 237-340. JSTOR. Web. 20 Jan. 2017.  

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