SJS7- Indonesia's Image and Reality

Source: Weatherbee, Donald. "Indonesia's Image and Reality." Current History 110.737 (2011): 249-50. Print.

Author Credentials: Prof. Weatherbee is a close Indonesia-watcher. He lived and taught in Indonesia for four years. Donald E. Weatherbee has been described as the dean of the American scholars of the international Relations of Southeast Asia. His new book (2005), International Relations in Southeast Asia: The Struggle for Autonomy caps more than four decades of teaching, writing, and analyzing politics and foreign policy in the region. He was awarded the U.S. Army’s Distinguished Civilian Service medal for his work on the post-Vietnam war profile of Southeast Asia “guiding senior Army planners in the redefinition of United States national strategy.”

Summary: Early in Indonesia's history, under their first president, it was viewed as a political and economical success story. They have overcome many obstacles once the fall of the authoritarian regime. Even today, Indonesia is still a powerful middle-power player on the international stage. However, there are still regional and domestic restrict the nation's progress. Indonesia is he worlds fourth most populous country with 240 million citizens. Nearly 90% of the population is pledged to Islam, making it the largest Muslim population. It also has a GDP of over $700 billion, and has the largest economy in Southeast Asia. However they still need greater infrastructure and education. There is also regional resistance within Indonesia itself. The members within Indonesia is also hurting it from the inside. This is the complete opposite of what it looks like to the international community. 

Analysis: Weatherbee provides a great discussion as to what Indonesia is and what it looks like. The points that he made about its international attention really explains how it looks from the outside. The large population and high GDP help it to look like a strong middle-power. However the focus on the inner Indonesia showed how the country is restricting itself from further progressing.