The Politics and Economics of Indonesia's Natural Resources

The challenges in using and managing natural resources in Indonesia are immense. They include ensuring that resource utilisation benefits most Indonesians; optimising the rate of exploitation of mineral reserves, bearing in mind the interests of future generations; and achieving sustainable forest and maritime exploitation. Recent rapid political change under reformasi and decentralisation may seem to have provided opportunities for a long-term development path that embraces both resource sustainability and equity issues. However, they have also generated an environment of political uncertainty, weak law enforcement, increased insecurity of property rights and local conflicts. This situation, together with the post-crisis imperative of restoring socio-economic progress, has created a pressing need to address the challenges of proper utilisation and management of natural resources. This book examines these and related issues from a political, socio-economic, and environmental standpoint. CONTENTS TABLES FIGURES CONTRIBUTORS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS GLOSSARY PREFACE: LOOKING BACK TO MOVE FORWARD 1. INTRODUCTION PART I. Recent Political and Economic Developments 2. Politics: Indonesia’s Year of Elections and the End of the Political Transition 3. The Economy: High Growth Remains Elusive PART II. Globalisation, Decentralisation and Sustainable Development 4. Indonesia in a Changing Global Environment 5. International Trade and the Natural Resource ‘Curse’ in Southeast Asia: Does China’s Growth Threaten Regional Development? 6. Unfinished Edifice or Pandora’s Box? Decentralisation and Resource Management in Indonesia 7. Does Indonesia have the Balance Right in Natural Resource Revenue Sharing? 8. Development Performance and Future Scenarios in the Context of Sustainable Utilisation of Natural Resources PART III. Sectoral Challenges 9. Oligarchy in the Timber Markets of Indonesia: From Apkindo to IBRA to the Future of the Forests 10. If Only Fish Could Vote: The Enduring Challenges of Coastal and Marine Resources Management in Post-reformasi Indonesia 11. Petroleum Paradox: The Politics of Oil and Gas PART IV. Illegal Extractions and Conflicts 12. Illegal Logging in Indonesia: Myth and Reality 13. Illegal Coalmining in West Sumatra: Access and Actors in the Post-Soeharto Era 14. Local Government and Environmental Conservation in West Java PART V. Laws and Institutions 15. New Legal Initiatives for Natural Resource Management in a Changing Indonesia: The Promise, the Fear and the Unknown 16. Institutional Transformation for Better Policy Implementation and Enforcement REFERENCES INDEX

From China to Facebookistan, the Internet has transformed global commerce. A cyber-law expert argues that we must free Internet trade while simultaneously protecting consumers.

On the ancient Silk Road, treasure-laden caravans made their arduous way through deserts and mountain passes, establishing trade between Asia and the civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean. Today’s electronic Silk Roads ferry information across continents, enabling individuals and corporations anywhere to provide or receive services without obtaining a visa. But the legal infrastructure for such trade is yet rudimentary and uncertain. If an event in cyberspace occurs at once everywhere and nowhere, what law applies? How can consumers be protected when engaging with companies across the world?

In this accessible book, cyber-law expert Anupam Chander provides the first thorough discussion of the law that relates to global Internet commerce. Addressing up-to-the-minute examples, such as Google’s struggles with China, the Pirate Bay’s skirmishes with Hollywood, and the outsourcing of services to India, the author insightfully analyzes the difficulties of regulating Internet trade. Chander then lays out a framework for future policies, showing how countries can dismantle barriers while still protecting consumer interests.