Indonesi A Successful Model Of A Muslim Nation Practicing Democracy

The indigenous groups of Indonesia went to brutal extents in attempts to successfully fight for rights and recognition from results of Dutch colonisation. The Dutch colonised Indonesia in 1677, completely taking over the government. Significant figures involved; the different islands of Indonesia, the Dutch East India Company, and the battles Indonesia went to in order to gain back their independence. Long term impacts of the Dutch colonisation upon Indonesia improved and modernised the lives of Indonesian people but as a result of traumatic and gruesome mistreatment of the indigenous culture.

When it comes to the political profile, seven different countries have competing maritime claims (mostly over the Spratly and Paracel Islands), some of which become even more complicated as some overlap with other nations’ Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). Despite the “intraregional distrust, deeply rooted historical issues, and rapidly increasing military spending” in the region surrounding the South China Sea, one expert argues that “not only has the conflict not escalated into a serious military conflict; it has, in fact, been mitigated… in fact, a more stable peace has developed.” (Costlow, 2012, p.6).

China’s recent assertions of military power in the South China Sea is a serious threat to U.S. National Security, and will remain so if China is not confronted or restricted. In recent years, China has increased military spending, weapons, and is now building artificial islands on highly disputed territory in the South China Sea to expand territorial claims. Since the world is anarchic, conflict is always a possibility between States that the U.S. must be aware of and prepared for. In regard to U.S.-China relations, the United States goal should be to protect the freedom of navigation, prevent any further expansion China makes on disputed territory in the South China Sea, and to hold China under high surveillance observation. To accomplish the previously stated goals, the U.S. should respond to China’s recent assertions of naval and air power in the South China Sea through the military initiatives of surveillance and power projection by deploying more ships to the South China Sea to protect Asian allies and any trade traveling through the international water.

“The Dutch did not care and was direct and forceful in their rule” (Colin par.3). The Indonesian were silent and had no voice because “The people of Indonesia had no say in the government at all, and were forced to do their European masters’ bidding for the most part.” (Colin par.3). The Dutch were more lenient to the Indonesians towards the end of their rule “tranisitioning more, and higher-class Indonesians became more involved in government”. Which was one of the reasons that Indonesia was granted its freedom. One of the major negative impacts of The Dutch’s rule on Indonesia’s politics was that in the beginning “they gave the Indonesians no say in the government- Indonesians didn’t get to pick and choose their allies or have any say in their international relations” (Colin par.3). However, the Dutch didn’t provide the most optimal system of government towards the end the Dutch “Steered the Indonesians in the right direction from their future systems of government.” Colin (par.3). The major part of it is the allowance of upper-class Indonesian people being allowed to have a voice and people such as Soekarno the first president of Indonesia were part of that upper-class planning a revolution and planning the Demise of the VOC. “I hate imperialism. “I detest colonialism- and the world as a whole, shall not be the play thing of one small corner of the world” (Soekarno). The Dutch’s rule

The notion of multicultural society seems particularly attractive to the scholars who studying the Indonesian. As the multicultural nation-state, according to Geertz (1983; Watson, 2006), Indonesia has more 300 ethnics and the largest multicultural nation-state. By the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), the unity of Indonesia became a consensus for whole cultures which lived in Indonesia. Artificially, this unity was constructed by the main ethnic, Indonesia. Thus, the value of the nation state based on Javanese value. This artificial was imperishable by the New Order regime lead by Soeharto. As a Javanese, Soeharto develop the nation stability and also centralized its

“The virtue of democracy is that it has found--in the course of its long struggle against unjust and oppressive rulers--forms and means that still comprise the best guarantees for protecting people from tyrants” . Democracy epitomizes the Western world and coincides with capitalism. According to the United States, it is the gold standard for governments. Conversely, political Islam is rising within majority Muslim nations as a counter to democracy. The rise fuels the debate within the academic sphere over if Islam and Democracy can coexist. Other kindling topics include Muslim Communism, a Marxist analysis of political Islam, and the concept of Jihad. Islam, and democracy, in a strict definition, are not compatible and, therefore, political Islam cannot exist within that realm. However, a broadened definition of democracy leaves room for religion to impact the political landscape, but it cannot be a main factor.

Southeast Asia is made up of closely intertwined nations. There is shared history and common similarities of having been colonized and therefore appreciate and cherish nation and state building as priority. Multiple traditional and non-traditional security challenges characterised by complex relationships continue have a significant impact in defining the long term peace outlook in Southeast Asia region.

The US, the regions historic de facto power, has a vital interest in maintain stability, specifically in regards to the freedom of navigation and free trade. Though each major actor has its own goals and agenda, the US has the most potential to ease tensions and establish a new regional dynamic that encourages a unified ASEAN and responsible PRC.

In my research paper, I will draw Indonesia as a representation of the whole Southeast Asia region. The reason for doing so is due to Indonesia’s diverse characteristic, which I believe is very representative of the region as a whole. By analyzing President Barack Obama’s speech:

Indonesia is a high power distance the country, it is 78 points in Hofstede model. Is uncertainty avoidance scores are 48. Therefore, Indonesia is a strong uncertainty avoidance country. The scores of masculine is less than the scores of feminine in Indonesia, the masculine is 46 points. As for the individualism and collectivism, the individualism scores in Indonesia is got 38 points. It is a smaller number than the scores of the collectivism.

First, the South China Sea constitutes the eastern approach to the Strait of Malacca, one of the “world's four most important strategic maritime passages,” and therefore contains the vital SLOCs between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.3 Figure 1. provides a visual representation of the SLOCs running through the South China Sea. “About 25% of the global shipping fleet transits through the region each year, underlining the importance of the South China Sea as an extension of the Malacca chokepoint.”4 That 25% traveling these SLOCs includes over half of the world’s shipping for oil and gas every year.5 Considering the volume of traffic passing through the South China Sea, a disruption of traffic along these SLOCs caused by a claims dispute or even armed conflict will rapidly generate negative global effects. Short of military action, challenges such as natural disasters6 or piracy require an international unified action (or at least, de-conflicted action) from multiple if not all South China Sea claimant nations.

Since the 3rd Century AD, the South China Sea has been home to countless territorial disputes between China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other East Asian Nations. This region is so contentious because it is one of the busiest trade routes, and is home to vast natural resources. Because of the long and dense history of them, these disputes are some of the most difficult events to understand and interpret in international relations. Because the disputes deal with relative power, and the security dilemma, looking at the events through a realist lens is the most practical way of analyzing them.

In addition to their Joint Understanding, Australia’s Overview of Aid Program to Indonesia has provided support to Indonesian laws and justice by helping develop robust legal and justice systems, well-run elections and an active civil society. Australia is also assisting the Indonesian government to strengthen its ability to formulate and implement economic and budgetary policy and is working to support Indonesia’s decentralization efforts by helping local governments improve the way they deliver basic services such as education, health, water and sanitation (Overview of Australia 's Aid Program to Indonesia, 2015). Even more, after being elected in October 2014, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo promised a clean and professional government by cleaning up the corruption and to

They have some of the most usable ports for water transportation and they have an abundant amount of natural resources that allow them to be competitive when trading around the world. Indonesia could improve on some of their regulations and how they manage their ports. They lack the strictness that some other countries have in transportation. Whether it’s in the work place, at home or in the government, ethics is a big concern world-wide. Indonesia is currently in the middle of multiple ethical violation in their government. There are more than average everyday civilians that have multi-billion-dollar bank accounts that are pressuring government officials. These are problems that other countries see every day, but Indonesia’s government is in the mist of change and this can easily set back the progress they have made.

Indonesian Economy has seen drastic changes in the last two decades. Currently Indonesia is South East Asia’s largest economy and one of the emerging economies in the world. Indonesia is ranked the 18th largest economy in the world. Looking at the history, the Indonesian economy was deteriorating and was in crisis in the