Torn Between America and China: Elite Perceptions and Indonesian Foreign Policy

by Daniel Novotny

How can a developing, democratic and predominantly Muslim country like Indonesia manage its foreign relations, while facing a myriad of security concerns and dilemmas in the increasingly complex post-Cold War international politics, without compromising its national interests and sacrificing its independence? Approaching this problem from the vantage point of the Indonesian foreign policy elite, this book explores the elite's perceptions about other states and the manner in which these shape the decision-making process and determine policy outcomes. The combined qualitative and quantitative research strategy draws on a unique series of in-depth interviews with 45 members of the Indonesian foreign policy elite that included the country's (present and/or former) presidents, cabinet ministers, high-ranking military officers, and senior diplomats. Among all state actors, Indonesian relations with the United States and China are the highest concern of the elite. The leaders believe that, in the future, Indonesia will increasingly have to manoeuvre between the two rival powers. While the United States during George W. Bush's presidency was seen as the main security threat to Indonesia, China is considered the main malign factor in the long run with power capabilities that need to be constrained and counter-balanced.

426 pages, Paperback

First published August 23, 2010

Reviews

[Dharma Agastia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive and impressive account of Indonesia's position in between two great powers during and after the Suharto era. It is also useful for IR scholars who require an example of the operationalization of neoclassical realist and constructivist methods.

[Jonah Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novotny uses interviews with a highly elite portion of the Indonesian Foreign Policy community, including former Presidents, diplomats, and military officials, to craft a compelling case about Indonesia's views of China, the United States, and its regional neighbours. It is always a cause to celebrate when such exclusive and exquisite research can be conducted, and is also placed in dialogue with other research in the field, such as broad population surveys, past interviews, and IR Theory. Old-school foreign policy research at its best.

[meidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative although debatable. Provides a very interesting debates on the regional affairs and Indonesian policy, including future projection.