Influence in Indonesia

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Analysis of the rapid withdrawal of European influence from Indonesia shows that a decline in immediate political and economic dominance bred civil and political instability. Additionally it shows that while the withdrawal was destructive in nature, imperialism planted the seeds of nationalism and democracy. The swift withdrawal of both Dutch and Portuguese colonial power in the late twentieth century left a political power vacuum, incited a regional economic crisis, and caused civil unrest in the region. International intervention, and political compromise allowed for a relatively quick turn-around and reigning stability.

The Netherlands East Indies gained independence in 1949, and became the country of Indonesia. Political in-fighting and separatist movements plagued the fledgling island nation almost instantly. Authoritarian rule and constant military coups were the norm for years. Indonesia is a very ethnically and culturally diverse country. There are six major ethnic groups, with four languages commonly spoken on the more than thirteen thousand islands it makes up (CIA World Fact Book). In 1965, stability was finally achieved by General Suharto. He began to revamp the country’s economy by exploiting their enormous oil resources. While political stability had been won in the majority, pockets of instability would remain. The island of Timor, most of it occupied by the Portuguese, would be the stage for a major scene of political contention some years later.

The Portuguese military coup of 1974 left the European nation in political shambles. Almost immediately, the new government began withdrawing from their overseas empire. A political power struggle began instantly on the former colony of East Timor due to the power vacuu...

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... organized the withdrawal of Indonesian forces. The coaxed a political compromise between the Indonesians and the East Timorese, allowing East Timor to formally declare their independence in the year 2000.

In conclusion, underdeveloped countries to western standards that were colonies are extremely vulnerable to economic and political collapse pending the withdrawal of imperial support. As colonies, they are essentially spoon fed as to what industry to partake in, and almost never have free elections of their own. Once the spoon is taken away, chaos ensues. When unchecked, international interference into matters of other nations or colonies almost always ends in disaster. As a remedy to this formula, international intermediation as a proxy of the United Nations can curb conflict and prevent economic collapse.

Works Cited

Essentials of International Relations

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