Indonesian Security A Matter of Policy and Principle

ISBN-13: 9783838338361 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 128 str.

Hore, Grant

Opis

The Cold War played a major part in influencing Indonesias founding policies and principles. The decision to take a stance of Non-Alliance with either super power allowed Indonesia the opportunity to remain both free and active. Indonesias fore fathers enshrined the "bebas dan aktif" (free and active)principle in its constitution, this principle still remains today. Indonesias reputation for not taking sides or entering binding agreements was well known to all policy makers of the Asia Pacific region. When Indonesia agreed to sign a security pact with Australia in the mid 1990s confusion about Indonesias policy direction was rife. Close to a decade later when Indonesia requested a new security pact with Australia policy critics once again questioned Indonesias motives. From Non-Alliance to Agreement seems on the surface a contradiction of Indonesias founding principles. However, further examination reveals Indonesias motives are still in line with the "bebas dan aktif" policy.

O autorze

Indonesia has consumed me for the past decade after living and working there throughout the turbulent economic crisis of the late 1990's. The understanding of Indonesia and her peoples gained during this time became invaluable in the writing of this thesis. To travel Indonesia is an adventure as was writing about it, two things I'll never forget.