Indonesia's Ascent: Power, Leadership, and the Regional Order (Critical Studies of the Asia-Pacific)

This volume explores the domestic and transnational considerations associated with Indonesia's ascent, referring to its rise in terms of hard and soft power and its likely trajectory in the future. The range of contributors analyse economic resources, religious harmony, security, regional relations, leadership and foreign policy. As Indonesia's economy grows, it is increasingly being referred to as a rising middle power and there is mounting speculation that Indonesia might eventually join the ranks of Asia's great powers. Regardless of just how far Indonesia will rise, its government and the will of its people will become increasingly influential in terms of its regional leadership and the values and the norms Jakarta espouses. What are the domestic opportunities and constraints that inform Indonesia's rise and how will various domestic contexts affect Indonesia's foreign policy and the values it espouses? This volume provides a timely analysis of the key domestic and transnational opportunities and challenges associated with Indonesia's ascent. The contributors explore a range of issues including Indonesia's economic resources, political institutions, identity and independence, as well as Jakarta's regional relations, leadership and the exercise of hard and soft power. The book examines the likely directions for Indonesian foreign policy following the election of President Joko Widodo in 2014 and this collection also offers an assessment of the potential trajectory of Indonesia's future 'Australia and Indonesia share a wide range of common interests. Working together to increase prosperity, promote political stability and advance democratic development underpins bilateral relations. This important book assesses the complexities of bilateral diplomacy as well the impact of Indonesia's rise on Australia, the region and the world.' - Greg Moriarty, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia (2010-2014) 'Not many people appreciate the size and weight of Indonesia. Its multi-ethnic society and the huge complex of traditional institutions and modern governance are even less well known. This book magnifies what Indonesia is about and what it means to the neighbouring countries and those attempting to understand Indonesia's presence in the global landscape. In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), we have described Indonesia as the crucible on which regional cooperation, resilience and stability flourish or flounder. In this context, the collection of essays here is particularly valuable as Indonesia's power mindset is examined in a reader-friendly way with a useful bibliography on the various aspects covered by the writers.' - Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (Singapore) and former Secretary General of the Association of South East Asian Nations 'The swiftness of Indonesia's economic ascent and attainment of accompanying social and political stability has been a source of significant approbation across the globe. Remarkably, however, this sixteen-chapter edited volume represents one of the first in-depth analyses of the country's economic, political and cultural transition and is the first to provide such a comprehensive analysis of the domestic and transnational considerations affecting 'Indonesia's ascent'. Moreover, nearly half of the authors are Indonesian and the volume thereby provides critical insight concerning Indonesian perceptions of Indonesia and its place in Asia and the world. Finally, this text will provide each reader with a virtual encyclopaedia of knowledge ranging from the events that followed Indonesia's declaration of independence to issues such as nation building; Islam; security fault lines; maritime issues; defence and foreign policies; regional relations; and Indonesia in ASEAN, the G20, and the United Nations. Therefore, this book will be indispensable for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding about Indonesia in general as well as how Indonesia transitioned to where it is today, the implications of this internationally, and just how high it might ascend in the future. The editors are to be commended for their ability to complete a book on such a rich mix of issues concerning Indonesia and its ascent!' - Dr Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Deputy Secretary for Political Affairs to the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia and Research Professor for International Affairs, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Front Matter....Pages i-xxiv Ascending Indonesia: Significance and Conceptual Foundations....Pages 1-21 Leadership and Dependency: Indonesia’s Regional and Global Role, 1945–751 ....Pages 22-39 The Economy in Indonesia’s Ascent: Making Sense of it All....Pages 40-68 Yudhoyono’s Third Way: Muslim Democracy, National Stability, and Economic Development in Indonesia....Pages 69-92 Key Security Fault Lines—Unresolved Issues and New Challenges....Pages 93-111 Democratic Achievement and Policy Paralysis: Implications for Indonesia’s Continued Ascent....Pages 112-129 Politics, Security and Defense in Indonesia: The Pursuit of Strategic Autonomy....Pages 130-154 The Foreign Policy Nexus: National Interests, Political Values and Identity....Pages 155-176 Indonesia and International Institutions: Treading New Territory....Pages 177-194 Indonesia-Australia Relations: Progress, Challenges and Potential....Pages 195-223 The Middle Power Moment: A New Basis for Cooperation between Indonesia and Australia?....Pages 224-243 Key Intra-ASEAN Bilateral Relationships: Opportunities and Challenges....Pages 244-263 Indonesian Leadership in ASEAN: Mediation, Agency and Extra-Regional Diplomacy....Pages 264-286 Indonesia among the Powers: Will ASEAN Still Matter to Indonesia?....Pages 287-307 Beyond the Archipelagic Outlook: The Law of the Sea, Maritime Security and the Great Powers....Pages 308-334 ‘Consensual’ Regional Hegemony, Pluralist-Solidarist Visions, and Emerging Power Aspirations....Pages 335-347 Back Matter....Pages 348-372