Culture and Politics in Indonesia

Equinox Classic Indonesia

by Claire Holt (Editor)

In these studies, scholars from the United States and Indonesia identify some of the cultural roots of Indonesian political behavior. The authors, representing the fields of anthropology, history, and political science, explore the ways in which traditional institutions, beliefs, values, and ethnic origins affect notions of power and rebellion, influence political party affiliations, and create new modes of cultural expression. Using two different but contemporary approaches, the authors show what can be learned about Indonesia through use of the Western concepts of "culture" and "politics". Professors Lev, Liddle, and Sartono illustrate how much can be gained from presenting Indonesian life in Western terms, while Professors Abdullah and Anderson contrast Indonesian and Western ideas. In an Afterword, Clifford Geertz reflects on the questions raised in these essays by discussing the tense relationships between Indonesian political institutions and the cultural framework in which they exist. CLAIRE HOLT was, until her death in 1970, Senior Research Associate of the Modern Indonesia Project, Cornell University. In Indonesia she served as assistant to the late Dr. W.F. Stutterheim, the noted archaeologist and cultural historian. She lectured extensively in Europe, the Far East, and the United States on Indonesian culture, and worked as a researcher and training specialist for the US Department of State.

Genres: Indonesian Literature

368 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1972

Reviews

[Anjar Priandoyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book consists of five chapter written by Indonesianist from West (Liddle, Lev, Anderson) and Native (Kartodirjo, Abdullah). Although written in 1970s, it is still relevant until now. The writers are expert in Indonesia with the background more as Symbolic Anthropologist than Sociologist, so Indonesia provides a very good sample.

Ch 1 Power in Javanese Culture (Anderson)
The cultural grip is too strong. By using Javanese perspective of power, there are many contradictions that can be explained such as how political institution is not effectively operated or

Ch 2 Agrarian Radicalism in Indonesia (Kartodirjo)
Interesting view on how a conflict is seen from Javanese perspective, the driver or radicalism not only coming from religious view but also ethnic. Divided by four themes Millenarian, Messianic, Nativism)

- Ciomas Revolt 1886 (Millenarian, Messianic, Religion)
- Pekalongan Revolt 1870 (Religion)
- Peasant Revolt Cilegon Banten 1888 (Religion)
- Peasant Revolt Tambun Bekasi 1869 (nativism, millenairsm)
- Gedangan Sidoarjo Revolt 1904 (Religion)
- Cililitan Revolt 1916 (Ethnic)
- Cimareme Garut Revolt 1919 (Religion)
- Tangerang Affair 1924 (Sundanese nativism, prabu siliwangi)"

Ch 3 Ethnicity and Political Organization (Liddle)
Super interesting, basically primordialism is inevitable, ethnic become the basis of political organization, religion puts more complexity. Nothing change until now, with recent post-Suharto conflict.

Ch 4 Modernization in Minangkabau (Abdullah)
Interesting, a good case study on how modernization affect and change social structure in Indonesia, Wahabism, Westernization both a stronger force than local culture