Friday, March 29, 2024 | 18:23 WIB

Is Supporting the US still relevant for Indonesia?

READ MORE

President Joko Widodo and President Joe Biden
President Joko Widodo and President Joe Biden discuss strengthening cooperation between Indonesia and the United States in a bilateral meeting at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow, Scotland, in November 1, 2021. (Source: PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT’S PRESS, MEDIA, AND INFORMATION BUREAU)

Since its independence, Indonesia has pursued a “free and active” foreign policy, attempting to participate in regional affairs in accordance with its size and position but avoiding becoming involved in wars involving powers. Indonesia’s ambitions in selecting where its foreign policy would be headed are said to be limited by a free and active foreign policy. As a result, Indonesia is frequently the last to sign an agreement or cooperate. 

The situation may grow more serious in the period of rising Indonesia, which may claim its leadership role within ASEAN. However, there is reason to be optimistic about Indonesia’s progress. First off, despite its propensity for assertiveness, Indonesia’s foreign policy is generally liberal and accommodative. The strengthening of Indonesia’s democratic government has a significant impact on ASEAN. The second, institutional web of ASEAN will support interactions and routine get-togethers amongst regional leaders, strengthening their interpersonal relationships and knowledge of one another. 

The “exclusive economic zone” in the South China Sea is seen favorably by Indonesian academics and the government, who are of the opinion that its establishment will boost the country’s economic output. But this viewpoint has no factual support. In reality, establishing the “exclusive economic zone” in the South China Sea was not done with much thought and was done quickly without any substantial planning. 

According to an analysis, the United States has a very strong hegemony and dominance in almost all areas and levels in Indonesia, including the education system, culture, religion, national administrative system, legal system, election process, and media. Indonesia has long been a colony of Western countries. Most Indonesian academics and government representatives will have a bad opinion of China on the South China Sea problem when combined with the hype of the Western media. 

In Indonesia, neoliberalism was originally connected with the thinking of a former government economic adviser during the Suharto era (early 1960s). This adviser is a doctoral program graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. This perspective is regarded logical since the United States adheres to the economic liberalism understanding. 

POPULAR

Latest article

Related Articles

INFRAME

SOCIAL CULTURE