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
Indonesia faced many positive and negative effects from Dutch Imperialism. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyyono is the current president. Approximately 253,609,643 people reside in Indonesia today, ranking fifth most populous nation in the world. Indonesia is a Republic government, and its land mass is an archipelago composed of 13,466 islands. Indonesia faced both positive and negative impacts after being imperialized. Imperialism is “the policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations” . Indonesia as a whole underwent many changes after imperialism. Many countries fought battles to try to gain control of Indonesian spice production. However, the Dutch had the most influence and control over Indonesia of any country . Although Indonesia battled The Dutch in the early 1600s, it was not until the 1800s that Indonesia was taken over by the Dutch, and finally won independence in 1945. Indonesia was a colony during imperialization. The term “Indonesia” did not appear until the early 20th century. The Dutch imperialization of Indonesia had both negative and positive effects because of the wars, the Cultivation System, and advances in the country.
As the international shift towards nationalism and self-determination gained momentum in the years after World War II as a result to imperialism’s dangerous influence on the world during the war, decolonization becomes the inevitable truth for nations on both sides of the colonial relationship between an occupying country and a subjugated
For example in regards to the ability for democracy to succeed in Africa, “The Economist … asserts that democracy in Africa has been unsuccessful because elections have largely failed to produce a change in democracy” whereas, “ the 1999 elections in Nigeria and South Africa indicate that democracy can be sustained in Africa.” Finally in chapter four Egendorf contemplates the First World nations role in Third World countries. The topics of U.S. foreign aid, U.S.’s role in Africa and the United Nations’ role in third world countries. In regard to U.S. foreign aid, “J. Brian Atwood … argues that foreign aid has helped finance medical and agricultural advances that have led to decreased child mortality and greater crop yields.” On the other hand, “L. Jacobo Rodriguez … argues that, despite the claims of some foreign aid proponents. The postwar economic growth of Europe and Asia was not a result of U.S financial assistance.” Throughout the book Egendorf discusses many highly debatable topics regarding Third World countries and shows substantial evidence to prove both sides of each
In the beginning, there was never an Indonesia. Indonesia was merely a concept envisioned by the country’s founding fathers, based upon the former area of the Dutch East Indies.
Malaysia was occupied by 4 different types of colonialism through the history. These types of colonialism were: 1-The Portuguese occupation (during 1511-1641) 2-The Dutch occupation (during 1641-1786) 3-The British occupation (during 1786-1941 & 1941-1957) 4-The Japanese occupation (during 1941-1945).
Multilateralism serves to be both a blessing and a curse, when placed amongst small island developing states in the global system. The statement without a shadow of a doubt stands true that multilateralism can simultaneously advance and undermine the interest of small island developing states in the global system. Small island developing states lack the power, wealth and influence to exert any political clout in the global political arena at the individual state level and as such, often times than none, their interest are overlooked and ignored. A we take a critical look at multilateralism, the very definition of the word according to (Keohane,1990;731) defined multilateralism as “the practice of coordinating national policies in groups of three or more states.” By this very definition, we can see the contradictions that lies within, when looking at this through a Caribbean lens.
Wilson, Constance, Dr. "Colonialism and Nationalism in Southeast Asia." Colonialism and Nationalism in Southeast Asia. Himself, July 2005. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.
...conomical shape to afford a war after being a main participant in WW2. Even though the Dutch were able to win the major engagements in the almost 5 year long war, the guerrilla warfare strategy deployed by the Indonesians had become too detrimental to the Dutch which eventually led to the assentation to Indonesian Independence in 1949.
Nasution, AB 2001, ‘The transition to democracy: Lessons from the tragedy of Konstituante in Crafting Indonesian Democracy’, Mizan Media Utama, Jakarta, ISBN 979-433-287-9
The nation of the Philippines has a history tied directly to colonial overseers. Spain and the United States both exerted control over the island nation for long periods of time in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Shortly after World War II, the Philippines gained its independence which set it on a course of political instability over the next 20 years. The two events that occurred in the Philippines that caused this new, stable democracy to politically shift into a dictatorship was the Hukbalahap Rebellion in 1954 and a declaration of martial law in 1972 by Ferdinand Marcos, which left the people of the Philippines abused, violated, and fearful.
This essay will discuss about Indonesia, an archipelago with over 17,000 islands (4) in the South East Asia. Indonesia has been selected because of the huge number of geographically isolated islands and the competing
...of Brunei Darussalam. In P.W. Martin, C. Ozog & G. Poedjosoedarmo (Eds.) Language use & language change in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 156-172). Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Center for International Studies.
Why Nations Fail takes an in depth look into why some countries flourish and become rich powerful nations while other countries are left in or reduced to poverty. Throughout this book review I will discuss major arguments and theories used by the authors and how they directly impact international development, keeping in mind that nations are only as strong as their political and economical systems.
The international system is an anarchical system which means that, unlike the states, there is no over ruling, governing body that enforces laws and regulations that all states must abide by. The International System in today’s society has become highly influential from a number of significant factors. Some of these factors that will be discussed are Power held by the state, major Wars that have been fought out in recent history and international organisations such as the U.N, NATO and the W.T.O. Each of these factors, have a great influence over the international system and as a result, the states abilities to “freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development”.
Philippines pre-colonial political system is not far distinct from it neighboring countries. The Philippines underwent the “datu” system like its neighboring countries. The Philippines