PATRIOTISM OF THE SAMOAN YOUTH IN THE CONTEXT OF UNIVERSALIZATION OF GLOBAL VALUES. BASED ON RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN SAMOA

Abstract

The main goal of this research paper is an attempt to interpret the concept of patriotism expressedby interviewed Samoans as a specific semantic and interpretive-narrative construction, embeddedin the historical and cultural conditions of the 21st century, as well as to identify its constitutivefeatures. As a result of her reflections, the author considers the patriotism of Samoan youth asa well-founded concept, in the context of the universalisation of values, as well as the possibility ofdeveloping this patriotism in the context of globalisation.The Author has demonstrated that Samoan youth is not indifferent to cultural universals, despiteattempting to co-create them in course of a multi-cultural dialogue and globalization processes.Thanks to electronic means of communication the young Samoan generation of the early 21stcentury has access to the values of global culture. At the same time, young people are avid advocatesof preserving and nurturing traditional culture.The results of research conducted by means of local observations and an interview questionnairein Samoa found clear support for the thesis that a process of universalization of cultural changesin specific areas of life has been occurring there. The type of authority was found to have beentransforming from a chief-tribal one into a state-family model (law and family) with a tendencytowards further democratization. The parochial political culture (clan and tribe) has been changinginto a servile culture (family and school), manifesting the tendencies of political transformationtowards a participatory culture. The dominance of men when it comes to the rights in public ortribal life has been also heading towards equality. The clan-tribal attitude toward a life territoryhas been transforming into a family-state attitude and forming as certain fatherland patriotism.The openness to the world which formerly was limited to sailing to other islands nowadaysencompasses the entire globe.