Millenials: Transnational Citizen
Dealing with Constructivist and Cosmopolitan Perspectives
Demeiati Nur Kusumaningrum
Department of International Relations, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Jalan Raya Tlogomas 246, Malang,
Indonesia
Keywords: Behaviour, Constructivist, Cosmopolitanism, Millenial, Transnational Citizen.
Abstract: This paper aimed to analyse how millenials emerged as the new form of generation based on social sciences
studies. It argued millenial generations lived in rapidly changing environment caused by high mobility of
people, goods, services, and overwhelming information flows from various online sources. Internet spread
out massive information, influences the perceptions and changed people behaviours. This topic used
descriptive qualitative research design. It used purposive sampling by 132 students represent millenials
generations as a subject of research. Data and information obtained from literature review, polling, and
working group discussion. Research subjects were used to test the theoretical foundations regarding the
structure of the millennial society. Based on constructivist approach, internet role as an institution internalized
values and discourse of modern society. It is constituted new identity as a digital or virtual community.
Therefore, millenials appeared as cosmopolitan social structure. It represented transnational world citizen - in
terms of political, economic and socio-cultural activities. Millenials lived in market trend behavior and
sophisticated technology of information but experienced distrust on friendship and privacy.
1 INTRODUCTION
Millennials – as a prominent word in the last few
years has been used to identify individuals born
between 1980-2000. Social problems can be appeared
as the implication of millenial’s life style, such as
depression, bullying, and drug abuse (Young and
Rodgers, 1998; Putra, 2016; CSIS, 2017; Wang,
2017). Moreover, the local governments started to
arrange the development model due to adopt the
demographic changing characters supporting
millenials need. It argued qualified young generation
influenced the realization of target of development
goals (CSIS, 2017, Hanik, 2017).
Many scholars researched on millennial dealt with
multi sectors of development, especially on the
education and teaching methods. They defined
millenial as internet friendly user, practical and
premium instant services consumer, demand on
multimedia and sophisticated technology, advance
communication skills, concerned on international
issues and fashion, high achievement, and pursuing
popular market commodities (Broido, 2004;
Considine, D., Horton J., & Moorman, G., 2009;
Borges, N.J., Manuel, R.S., Elam, C.L., & Jones, B.J.,
2010; Castro, A. J., 2010; Bracy, C., Bevill, S., &
Roach, T.D., 2010; Henry, R.K., & Howell, J.G.,
2011; Wahana, 2015; Putra, 2016). Based on those
literatures, this paper supports scholar’s research
arguments that shown millenial as modern social
structure that owned specific characteristics. Internet
is prominent source of knowledge and able to
influence millennials perspective and behaviors.
According to constructivis and cosmopolitan
approaches, this paper would like to analyse how
millenials emerged as a modern society. It argues
millenial generations live in rapidly changing
environment caused by high mobility of people,
goods, services, and overwhelming information flows
from various online sources. Internet spread out
massive information, influences their perceptions and
changes people behaviors.
2 METHODS
This topic used descriptive qualitative research
design. It used purposive sampling by 132 students
represent millenials generations as a subject of
research. Data and information obtained from
18
Kusumaningrum, D.
Millenials: Transnational Citizen - Dealing with Constructivist and Cosmopolitan Perspectives.
In Proceedings of the Annual Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities (ANCOSH 2018) - Revitalization of Local Wisdom in Global and Competitive Era, pages 18-21
ISBN: 978-989-758-343-8
Copyright © 2018 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved

literature review, polling, and working group
discussion. Research subjects were used to test the
theoretical foundations regarding the cosmopolitan
structure of the millennial society.
The researcher used an analytical technique
consisting of three flow of activities that refers to the
Miles and Huberman’ opinion (Silalahi, 2009). 1)
Data reduction consist of classifying, directing,
removing unnecessary and organizing data in such a
way as to form verifiable conclusions. 2) The data
presentation is done by testing the findings of data
reduction results with the basic assumptions of the
theory used as the analytical framework. 3)
Conclusion is the final part of the effort to
synchronize the results of analysis that have been
tested with the theory of the hypothesis that has been
stated.
3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
3.1 The Relation between Perception,
Identity, and Behaviour
Millenial is the modern structure of society that is
created from social process. Perception of individual
influenced not only by interest but also
intersubjective matters. The diffussion of information
and discourse through media as an instrument,
legitimate the internalization of new values and
perspectives. It triggers the similar characteristics of
behaviors as transnational citizens. This point of view
refers to general claims of constructivist approach.
Constructivism as a social analysis approach
emphasizing the role of 'human consciousness' in
social life. They believe that human interaction is
primarily shaped not solely by material factors but
also of ideational elements disseminated as
intersubjective beliefs (Adler, 2008; Checkel, 1997;
Finnemore & Sikkink, 2001).
Finnemore & Sikkink (2001) explained that these
intersubjective beliefs are not only inherited to
individuals but also internalized as considerations
underlying the interests of the actors. According to
John Ruggie (1998: 856), "constructivism is about
human consciousness and its role in international
life". Constructivism focuses on the role of ideas,
norms, knowledge, culture, and political arguments
inherent in an intersubjective understanding of social
life.
Moreover, prominent theorist of social
constructivism – Berger & Luckman said that
constructivism is seen as an individual's cognitive
process of interpreting the existing world of reality,
because there is social relation between the individual
and the environment or the people around him. Then
the Individual builds his own knowledge of the reality
he sees based on the existing structure of knowledge.
Berger and Luckman argue that community
institutions are created and maintained or altered
through human action and interaction, although
societies and social institutions are visibly objective,
but in reality they are all formed in subjective
definitions through interaction processes. Objectivity
can occur through the repeated affirmations given by
others, who have the same subjective definition. At
the highest level of generality, man creates the world
in a universal symbolic sense, a comprehensive view
of life that legitimizes and regulates social forms, and
gives meaning to various areas of life (Sulistyowati,
2017).
Meanwhile, social identity refers to Tajfel (1982)
consider how individual behaviors in the context of
larger group relationships, in which individuals are
embodied in them, such as social organizations,
cultural systems, and other social systems, where
individuals place things as a reference for his
behavior (Sulistyowati 2017:5). Therefore, individual
behaviors that refer to social behavior have a stable
pattern in the process of its formation. This means
that everything that is thought, felt, and done by
individual is a manifestation of certain values, habits,
rules, and norms that grow in his group (Padilla &
Perez, 2003 in Sulistyowati, 2017).
Based on perspective of cosmopolitan, this paper
acknowledge ‘millenial’ is cosmopolit society that
consist of transnational citizen with perceived similar
characteristics of behaviors. Kanter (1995) defines
cosmopolitan as linked to members of the global
business elite as a 'world class' with knowledge and
skills currently in accordance with economic
transformation productive ones caused by the latest
round of globalization, and emerging industries.
Cosmopolitan is characterized by world class
members who meet several criteria of concepts,
competencies, and connections. He argues that this
gives millenial access to the latest and most valuable
knowledge, intellectual and social abilities to operate
to the highest standards anywhere in the world, and
the ability to forge a global network (Skribis &
Woodward, 2004). Millenial fullfil definition of
cosmopolitan characteristics from Urray. It is
characterized by the ability to move around, the
ability to use various symbols and cultural goods, the
willingness to take risks in good faith to interact with
others, the ability to observe and appreciate other
Millenials: Transnational Citizen - Dealing with Constructivist and Cosmopolitan Perspectives
19

cultures, to interpret the image and openness of other
cultures and societies (Skribis & Woodward, 2004).
This paper examines millennial embedded new
identity as transnational citizens representing grand
design of future society that relatively market
constructed. It is analyzed by basic preposistions of
constructivist approach. Based on this understanding,
it argues that internet role as institution which
internalized values and spread out transnational
discourse. This phenomenon develop new identity of
social structure named digital community or virtual
community. Therefore, millennial generation
legitimate as cosmopolitan social structure. It
presents transnational world citizen - in terms of
political, economic and socio-cultural activities.
3.2 Media and Social Interaction
The results of this research shows millenial
generation experiences paradox of social relations.
The improvement of technology of information and
communication by internet did not ensure the
comfortability of life and friendship. Furthermore,
43% of millenial students did not like the interaction
in social media even though 51% of them categorized
social media addict. Only 54% of millenial students
believe in true friendship.
Table 1: Students Polling Result.
Result
Population
%
Internet daily user
124
94
Updated trend consumer
119
90
Easily make friends but
sincerely doubt
61
46
Social media active user
124
94
Prefer social media interaction
75
57
Social media addicted
67
51
Whatsapp safe money, time,
and practical communication
100
76
Acknowledge classmates from
social media but did not
recognize them well
104
79
Did not recognize all of name
of classmates
108
82
Internet and social media help
accomplished assignment and
support learning process
100
76
Based on polling, amount 94% students have
social media accounts such as facebook, instagram,
and whatsapp and actively use it every day for
communication and make friends. It is about 76% of
students prefer to use whatsaap because this
application safe costs, time, and practical-friendly
user. Students agree that mostly accounts facilitate
people to gain hundreds of new friends every second,
but only 18% of students know the names of all their
classmates.
Based on millennial generation characteristics,
they are easy to follow the world fashion trends and
international hot issues released by online media and
feeds. It is about 94% millenial students internet daily
user and 90% of them updated trend customer which
owned smartphone. Moreover, 75% of millenial
students believe in advantages of internet and social
media helps them accomplish assignment and support
learning process. They do agree social media not only
accommodates freedom of expression but also
maintaining communication among them.
Group discussion with 5 out of 132 students
showing the fact that social media accounts like
instagram support the existence of individuals to be
more popular and got fans from all over the world.
Five of students come from different areas but no one
face obstacles in understanding different traditions,
customs, and perspectives during study in University.
They feels common to get new friends and meet up
after communicate from instagram. As millenial
students, they more open minded. They live in among
society that accepted different way of life and respect
on others habits. This insight they found from social
media that for some extend it provides comments and
responses below available ‘status’ or ‘posting’
contents.
Whereas, millenial students get disadvantages
from the virtual interaction through social media.
Based on interview, instead of being popular, people
often got 'haters'. Yet, the lucky one will be have
some of 'secret admirer', and 'stranger followers'
which became a common phenomenon in cyberspace.
For millenial students, bulliying and hatred
comments are the most disturbing.
4 CONCLUSION
This paper supported any scholars who potraiyed
millennial characteristics of behavior involve the
demand of freedom, innovation, and entertainment.
As the implication of globalization, this condition
ultimately rebuilds the structure of a cosmopolitan
society that is relatively different from the previous
generation.
It examines that millennial spreads out ideas and
values as modern society. The intersubjective
foundation of millennial perception relate to the
pattern of communication and social interactions as
virtual citizens instituted in social media. Thus, the
attractiveness between social interaction in the real
ANCOSH 2018 - Annual Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities
20

world and the penetration of information from
cyberspace builds a new identity that forms the basis
for millennial behavior. Unfortunately, millenial
students experience distrust on friendship and
privacy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you for my collegues in Departement of
International Relations, the HoD- Mr. M. Syaprin
Zahidi, M.A who supported this research to be
presented in ANCOSH 2018. Thank you for the Dean
and Vice Deans of Faculty of Social and Political
Sciences, University of Muhammadiyah Malang that
have strong committement to improve good academic
environment and facilities for all of the members. Mr.
Tonny Dian Effendy, M.Si. and Mr. Muhammad
Hayat, M.A. thank you for giving me great insight on
social constructivist and to be kind as partners of
research discussion.
REFERENCES
Adler, E. (2008). Constructivism and International
Relations. Handbook of International Relations, 95–
118.
Borges, N.J., Manuel, R.S., Elam, C.L., & Jones, B.J.
(2010). Differences in Motives between Millennial and
Generation X Medical Students. Medical Education.
44, 570-576
Bracy, C., Bevill, S., & Roach, T.D. (2010). The Millennial
Generation: Recommendations for Overcoming
Teaching Challenges. Proceedings of the Academy of
Educational Leadership. 15 (2), 21-25.
Broido, E.M. (2004). Understanding Diversity in Millennial
Students. New Directions for Student Services. 106, 73-
85.
Castro, A. J. (2010). Themes in the Research on Preservice
Teachers’ Views of Cultural Diversity: Implications for
Researching Millennial Preservice Teachers.
Educational Researcher. 39 (3), 198-210.
Checkel, J. (1997). International Norms and Domestic
Politics: Bridging the Rationalist--Constructivist
Divide. European Journal of International Relations,
3(4), 473–495. Accessed March 20, 2018.
Considine, D., Horton J., & Moorman, G. (2009). Teaching
and Reaching the Millennial Generation Through
Media Literacy. Journal of Adolescent & Adult
Literacy. 52 (6), 471- 481.
CSIS. 2017. “Ada Apa Dengan Milenial? Orientasi Sosial,
Ekonomi, dan Politik”. National Survey of CSIS 2017.
Press Conference in Jakarta, November 2, 2017. Centre
for Strategic and International Studies. Accessed March
19, 2018.
<https://www.csis.or.id/uploaded_file/event/ada_apa_
dengan_milenial____paparan_survei_nasional_csis_m
engenai_orientasi_ekonomi__sosial_dan_politik_gene
rasi_milenial_indonesia__notulen.pdf>
Finnemore, M., & Sikkink, K. (2001). T AKING S TOCK :
The Constructivist Research Program in International
Relations and Comparative Politics. Annual Review of
Political Science, 4(1), 391–416. Accessed March 19,
2018.
<https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.4.1.391>
Hanik, Sofia. (2017). “Pembangunan Daerah Berwawasan
Kependudukan”. Perwakilan BKKBN Provinsi Jawa
Timur. National Seminar, Trio Indah Hotel. Malang.
April 11, 2017.
Henry, R.K., & Howell, J.G. (2011). A Comparison of
Millennial Dental Hygiene Student and Faculty
Classroom Expectations. The Journal of Dental
Hygiene. 85 (3), 229-239.
Kanter RM, Pittinsky TL. 1995. Globalization: new worlds
for social inquiry. Berkeley Journal of sociology. Jan
1;40:1-20.
Putra, Yanuar Surya. (2016). “Theoretical Review: Teori
Perbedaan Generasi”. Jurnal Among Makarti, 9 (18)
December 2016. Accessed March 20, 2018.
<http://jurnal.stieama.ac.id/index.php/ama/article/view
File/142/133>
Ruggie JG. What makes the world hang together? Neo-
utilitarianism and the social constructivist challenge.
International organization. 1998 Oct;52(4):855-85.
Silalahi, U. (2009). Metode Penelitian Sosial. Bandung:
Refika Aditama.
Skrbis, Zlatko, Gavin Kendall and Ian Woodward. (2004).
“Locating Cosmopolitanism: Between Humanist Ideal
and Grounded Social Category”. Theory, Culture, and
Society. 21 (115). Sage Publications. Online version
http://tcs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/21/6/115.
Sulistyowati, T. (2017). “Konstruksi Identitas Diri Pekerja
Migran Perempuan Dalam Kelindan Sosial di Negara
Tujuan”. Research Dissertation (Ph.D). University of
Muhammadiyah Malang.
Tajfel H. 1982. Social psychology of intergroup relations.
Annual review of psychology. Feb; 33 (1):1-39.
Wahana, Heru Dwi. (2015). “Pengaruh Nilai-Nilai Budaya
Generasi Millennial dan Budaya Sekolah Terhadap
Ketahanan Individu. Studi di SMA Negeri 39,
Cijantung, Jakarta”. Jurnal Ketahanan Nasional, 21 (1),
April 2015. Accessed March 19, 2018.
<https://jurnal.ugm.ac.id/jkn/article/view/6890>
Wang, Amy B. (2017). “K-pop star’s suicide note reveals
pressures of fame, depression that ‘consumed’ him”.
The Washington Post. December 19, 2017. Accessed
March 28, 2018.
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/
wp/2017/12/19/k-pop-stars-suicide-note-reveals-
depression-that-consumed-him-pressures-of-
fame/?utm_term=.7facedb85526>
Young, Kimberly S. and Robert C. Rodgers. (1998). The
Relationship Between Depression and Internet
Addiction. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 1(1), 25-28,
1998
Millenials: Transnational Citizen - Dealing with Constructivist and Cosmopolitan Perspectives
21