DEVELOPMENT OF INDONESIA AND MODERNIZATION THEORY

This research paper traces the political modernization of Indonesia through different stages in its economic and political development. Political and economic theorists have attempted to explain the process through which nations become modernized. Their theories can be roughly grouped among dependency theory and various schools of political modernization theory, some stressing the inevitability of democratization Western style and others suggesting that authoritarian models might be more suitable for East Asian cultures such as Indonesia. Despite its recent economic difficulties, Indonesia has made substantial economic progress in recent decades. However, for various historical and other reasons, political maturation has lagged behind economic development. As Indonesia nears the end of a long period of political stability achieved under the military rule of General

Suharto and his New Order, some of the bases for an eventual transition to more democratic rule have been established; however, this transition is likely to be painful in the near term and may be accompanied by substantial political instability and a continuation of military rule in some form for the indefinite future.

Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, has a population of nearly 200 million people in its 13,677 islands spread over its vast tropical archipelago. Blessed with rich natural reso

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life from the dawn of the nationalist movement early in the century till the present day" (p. 39). Bouchier & Legge (1994) say that during the 1950s "none of the four major parties had a strong commitment to democratic institutions, and there were deep differences among them as to how to achieve economic growth and national unity" (p. 295). (3) Indonesia suffered from severe domestic stresses. One related to continuing separatist movements, including a major revolt in Sumatra which the Army quelled in 1957-1958. Ethnic clashes erupted between the Chinese settler minority, and the dominant (87 percent Muslim) Javanese majority. Frederick and Worden (1993) say that "conditions were exacerbated by economic disruption, the wartime and postwar disruption of vital industries, unabated population growth, and resultant food shortages" (p. 48). Guided Democracy and Political Turmoil (1957-1965). In 1957, Sukarno ended democratic rule and installed an authoritarian system which depended on an uneasy and unstable coalition among nationalists, the Army and the Communist Party (PKI) which was gaining support among the masses. In the economic sphere, he engaged in grandiose public works projects and carried the recommendations of the dep
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Frederick Worden, S8 Simanjuntak, According Crouch, East Asian, Party PKI, Almond Yerba, Robert Dahl, Fund IMF, S7 Liddle, Indonesia Despite, july 26, economic development, 1997 july 26, 1997 july, frederick worden, university press, clayton vic, inglehart 1997, development indonesia, foreign investment, military rule, frederick worden 1993, twentieth century indonesia, vic monash university, clayton vic monash,
Approximate Word count = 3218
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page)

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