Group Blog #2 Book Review on “World Order” by Henry Kissinger

Members: Agung C Sumirat, Lynda Kurnia Wardhani, Rudjimin

In the World Order, Henry Kissinger has elaborated the development of the concept of “World Order” which is based on the history of Thirty Years’ War in Europe. The word “World Order” does not refer to world order in global sense, but rather it refers to the order of Western Europe four century ago, which is called the Agreement of Westphalia. Word Order describes the concept held by a region or civilization about the nature of arrangement and the distribution of power thought to be applicable to the entire world.

The Westphalia Word Order was based on two components a set of commonly accepted rules defining the limits of permissible action and balance of power. Westphalia is a system of independent states who committed to refrain from interference to other domestic affairs and contained others’ behavior through a power balance. The balance of power has been a key in maintaining an equilibrium of states’ relations.

The concept of balance of power was further developed and applied to the concept of governance,political legitimacy and international order. The political philosopher Baron of Montesquieu applied the principle of balance of power to domestic politic by describing a concept of check and balance. Montesquieu applied this concept into the philosophy of history and the mechanism of social change. Montesquieu argued that events were never caused by accident, but rather there was always an underlying cause that reason could discover and then shape to common good.

Emmanuel Kant took Montesquieu concept a step further by developing a concept of a permanent peaceful world order. According to Kant, sovereign states are basically characterized by “unsocial sociability”, the tendency to come together in society, but coupled with a continual resistance which can break up the society. Based on his observance to the history of French revolution, the American Revolutionary War, Kant argued that any upheaval constitutes the faint beginning of a new, more peaceful order. Any upheaval will make men to contemplate some alternatives.

To achieve a permanent peaceful world order, Kant suggested that states needs to refrain themselves or contain their passion. Kant suggested that states pledged to non-hostility and transparent domestic and international environment.

The peace of Westphalia has acquired a special resonance as the breaker of a new concept of international order. The concept of state sovereignty was established. The basic principle in the Westphalia becomes the principle of relations among nations under the UN, namely, the need to respect the territorial integrity and not to interfere in the domestic affairs.

The structure established in the Westphalia represented the first attempt to institutionalize an international order on the basis of agreed rules, limit and the base on its multiplicity of power rather than the dominance of world power.

Westphalia is not the only “order” of the time. In other world, China with its Emperor, was a pinnacle of a political and cultural hierarchy. The Order of Islam destined to expand over the” Realm of War”. It called the whole world to be a unitary system brought into harmony by the message of the Prophet Muhammad.

Jakarta, 28 February 2016

Women as A Defining Factor towards the Future Leadership in Indonesia

By Agung Cahaya Sumirat, Second Task of Sesparlu-54, Kemenlu

One of the key highlights of Indonesia’s democracy has been the increased role of women in many aspects of life particularly politics. After “Reformasi” movement in 1998, Indonesia has already had a female President and many women have become member of parliaments, ministers, governor, mayors and heads of regions as well as other high profile posts. The result of national census in 2010 has identified that there is a 118 million of women and 119.5 million of men. This article wishes to elaborate the prospect of women leadership in Indonesia, identify certain restrictions that inhibit their potentials as well as provide a recommendation.

Success Story
The success story of women leadership can as a matter of fact be traced through history. Some findings are very interesting. In 6th century there was already a female queen called Ratu Shima, in the Kingdom of Kalingga, located on the northern area of Java. She was used to be famous for her assertiveness in upholding a non-discriminatory honesty policy. A book of “Gayatri Rajapatni: The Woman behind the Glory of Majapahit” written by Ambassador Earl Drake has revealed the crucial role of Puteri Gayatri in the glory of Majapahit Kingdom. In 1879-1904, Ibu Kartini inspired young girls in Java by promoting education especially the notion of women’s right to education. Tjut Nya Dien, a female national hero, led a fierce resistance against the Dutch rule in Aceh in 19th century. The history of Indonesian politics was then enriched by the election of the first female President, Megawati Soekarnoputri for the period of 2001-2004.

source : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:COLLECTIE_TROPENMUSEUM_Portret_van_Raden_Ajeng_Kartini_TMnr_10018776.jpg

In terms of local culture, in West Sumatra there is a mixture of matrilineal and patriarchal cultures. Land property inheritance passes down from the mother to the daughter. While men are in charge of religious and political affairs. However, women can still play their roles in the latter’s fields.

Cultural Restrictions
In certain local tradition, the role of women were used to be restricted despite there had been leadership story of Queen Shima and Gayatri Rajapatni. Especially during the Ibu Kartini’s time, women were prohibited to pursue higher education. Women were considered to be “konco wingking” only or friend at the back. Meaning that they were supposed just to perform household activities. This is an example of a patriarchal society which happened mainly in the past time. The idea of gender equality was not yet introduced.

In some cases, there is certain religious clerics which hold the view that the leadership of women are not allowed. There is also a perception that women may work but at the same time, only the women, not the men, which should also take care of the family at home. In this regard, women are facing a double-burden in society.

Women’s Empowerment
Based on this background, I believe there is a positive historical connection of the Indonesian women’s role in the past and in the present era, particularly in the sphere of political life. In our history, women have never been discriminated in political life including their rights to vote, unlike in some other countries.

There are indeed cultural constraints which are not conducive to the promotion of women’s right. However, the democratization of Indonesia is the key which will mushroom the notion of equal rights across the nation including in the issue of women’s rights.

The Government’s credential in promoting women’s rights has been prominent. Women participation in politics has clearly been strengthened. Law No. 10/2008 has advocated 30% of women representation in the national and local parliaments. Despite this target has so far not yet fulfilled, but the Government has shown a strong political will in this regard.

Previously Indonesia has also ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women through Law no.7/1984. Ministry of Children and Women Empowerment has also long been established to promote and protect the rights of children and women.

Conclusion
Democracy, education, vibrant civil society and the government’s support to the promotion of women’s rights have been instrumental in creating a conducive environment for the Indonesian women to achieve their utmost potentials. The notion of democracy will become more influential in carrying forward the idea of gender equality.

I would strongly recommend that a more aggressive policy be carried out which targets at enhancing women access to education and health as the basic requirements for the women empowerment in this regard. If this can be done, Indonesia will surely be one of the best model for the promotion of women rights particularly their possibility to assume more widespread national leadership in the future.

Jakarta, 24 February 2016

Strengthening Indonesia’s Trade Competitiveness in the Global Market

Group Blog #1 International Trade
Members: Agung C Sumirat, Lynda Kurnia Wardhani, Rudjimin

For the last five years, Indonesia’s export performance has weakened due to a lack of competitiveness of its products in the global market. Based on the data by ITC Trade Maps, in 2011, the Indonesian export value has reached US$ 203 billion, the highest in the last decade. In 2014, unfortunately our export value was only around US$176,3. This is a negative sign which needs to be addressed by the current Indonesian Government which has pushed much effort in reforming the Indonesia’s economic performance and advancing the people’s welfare agenda. In this connection, there are several options on how to strengthen the level of Indonesia’s product competitiveness, among others, currency depreciation, technology/product upgrading, and improved efficiency of trade-related infrastructure.

On the currency depreciation, theoretically depreciated exchange rate makes exports more competitive while imports are more expensive. A falling exchange rate can be beneficial if the economy is uncompetitive and stuck in a recession. An appreciation in the exchange rate is beneficial if it is caused by the economy which becomes more productive and competitive. However, if there is an appreciation due to speculation, then it could be harmful as exporters will not be able to compete. Some countries have sought to keep the value of their currency undervalued with the hope that its exports become more competitive leading to higher growth. Some argue that this intervention is a form of ‘unfair competition’ and it can be termed as currency manipulation. Bank Indonesia, due to limited foreign currency reserve and the nature of Indonesian exchange rate regime, is not in a position to make this kind of intervention. Some intervention to change the IDR exchange rate has been indeed done in emergency situation and in limited capacity. On the other hand, the Bank of China, with its bulk of foreign currency (more than a trillion dollar) is very able to exert the policy. It becomes a political issue and some countries (US, EU) always complained the policy chosen by China.

On technology/product upgrading, until know, Indonesia still much depends on primary products for its export earning such as, crude palm oil, rubber, coal, gas, and raw mineral. Even, the surge of manufactured exports in the past had been led by relatively few products, the competitiveness of which was mainly based on low wages and access to natural resources. Although these advantages actually could be improved and extended, they are vulnerable to the competition from the new entrants, notably China with lower wage cost, and to low rates of demand. The sluggish price of the primary products in the global market and weakened economic growth of the Indonesian traditional market have weakened the demand for primary products from Indonesia and it negatively impacts the Indonesian exports. The previous administration established several measures to address this dependence on primary products, among others, through local content and smeltering requirements to exporters of raw materials. The first option seems not to work quite well. Main trading partners criticize the policy as it is not consistent with the Indonesian commitment in the WTO. It also weakens the purchasing power of the consumers. The latter policy faces challenges from investors and lukewarm enforcement by the Government. Therefore, the effectiveness of the two policies remains a big question. Moreover, President Joko Widodo already stated in several occasions that all restrictive policies established by previous administration will be gradually scrapped.

On the trade related infrastructure, it is quite well-known that the level of competitiveness in terms of Indonesia’s infrastructure is quite limited. At the end of 1990s, Indonesia’s infrastructure competitiveness was better than China and Vietnam. Now, China has already outpaced Indonesia.

In order to trade goods and services efficiently, to become a more active partner in the global and regional trade, and to connect to global value chains, it is crucial for every country to offer a good trade-related infrastructure as the infrastructure and related services play a crucial role in the flow of international trade. During his presidency term, President Joko Widodo gives more focus on the infrastructure development through several projects, such as construction of toll roads, airports, and seaports. These are complementary to trade policies because gains from trade often depend on the quality of infrastructure and related services. Physical infrastructure can at least partly be considered a public good, and government intervention is necessary for obtaining efficiency. Improved trade efficiency strengthens conditions for increased technology transfer, innovation and production capacities, which stimulate the creation of additional jobs and contribute to poverty alleviation.

In conclusion, to strengthen the competitiveness of the Indonesian products, Indonesia must develop its trade-related infrastructure. In the short term, infrastructure must be able to create employment and boost productivity. In the medium to long term, infrastructure should be able to provide real contributions to the country’s economic improvement. This option is being suggested considering that it will have much wider impact on Indonesia’s competitiveness. This policy option will also support the government plan to invite foreign investors.

 

The Indonesian Perspective in Fighting against Violent Extremism and Terrorism

Violent extremism and terrorism have become pressing and alarming global issues. No country in the world can claim its immunity from these threats. In the last two years, radical terrorists have tried to attack the resilience of democratic societies in Paris, Copenhagen, Ottawa, Sydney, Istanbul, Jakarta and others. Clearly, terrorist’s techniques and networks are evolving. Thanks to the usage of modern information technology, they are learning and upgrading their ability on how to create terror, panic and fear. They also use social media to disseminate their extreme and radical views through exploiting people’s anger and frustration against poverty and social injustice. What can the government do in curbing and overcoming these threats?

I should think that security approach alone will not be able to solve violent extremism and terrorism. Terrorists and violent extremists are not afraid of losing their lives. In many cases, they even look for their deaths because of their beliefs that they will be placed more peacefully and eternally in heaven.

The Indonesian Government is very serious in fighting against violent extremism and radical terrorism. Indonesia has been relatively successful in breaking down the terrorist operation and network. However, the challenge remains. The emergence of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), after the Al-Qaida, has broadened the scope of and provided a new linkage of violent extremist and terrorist movements worldwide.

The ISIS in Syria has become a source of dream and inspiration for some misled Moslems which decided to become foreign terrorist fighters by joining them. More or less 500 hundred Indonesians have been reported to join the ISIS in Syria. Considering Indonesia as the world’s biggest Moslem population, this is relatively a small number if it is compared with some European countries cases like the UK, France and Belgium.

However, in this article I would say that despite these challenges, I have much confidence that Indonesia cannot and will not be defeated by violent extremism and radicalism. My proposition happens because of several reasons as follows:

• Indonesia’s cultural diversity as one of the biggest archipelagic countries in the world serves as the strongest cultural barricade against violent extremism;
• The crucial leadership of Nahdatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyyah, as the two biggest Moslem organizations, which actively promotes a moderate view of Indonesian Islam;
• The vibrant Indonesia’s democracy which is instrumental in strengthening a diverse political culture.

Courtesy Google.com

In responding to the afore-mentioned question above, I would highlight several policy options for the government in overcoming those threats of violent extremism and terrorism as follows:

1. The government needs to continue enhancing its security capability in the fight against violent extremism and terrorism since the terrorists continuously upgrade their techniques and become more sophisticated. Despite some critics which complain our security forces of using excessive use of force, Indonesia has been known to be a good case of incorporating human rights dimension in fighting terrorism particularly through de-radicalization programme.
2. The government needs to ensure its success in the effective implementation of good governance and pro-people welfare programmes. Commitment to fight corruption and improve people’s welfare must be top national priority. Corruptive governance, poverty and social backwardness have been many times exploited by the terrorists in campaigning for their version of an alternative and ideal government.
3. The government needs to support and expand the development of multi-cultural programmes not only at national level but also at regional level. I believe by promoting and highlighting multi-cultural activities at all levels, Indonesia will sustain its pluralistic character which serves as a barrier against violent extremism, a typically anti-pluralism ideology.

In view of these policy options, I should suggest that the combination of policy option of a. (enhancing security capability) and b. (promoting good governance and pro-people welfare programmes) would need to be done and continued. These two policy options should be merged into one package of actions. With an enhanced capacity, there will be an assurance that our security forces cannot be defeated by the terrorists. While for the convicted or the former terrorists who have changed their radical mindset, they need to be supported through a package of welfare programme including entrepreneurship skill training.

While for the policy option of c. (promoting multi-cultural activities), this is more of a macro-level policy framework. This policy option is has much importance. But its function is not directly fighting violent extremism and radicalism. Its fundamental importance lies on the need to continuously enhance social awareness about the virtue of multiculturalism. Multi-cultural society has been the strongest asset of Indonesia since thousands of years ago. Our task today is to ensure that multiculturalism value will remain and continue to blossom in our society as it serves as a source of mutual respect and tolerance.

    

Frank Sinatra- I’ve got you under my skin