Political Isms
May 9th, 2008, in News, by Patung
The various ism problems that Indonesia faces, neo-liberalism, capitalism, imperialism, colonialism, and materialism.
Neo-isms
Lieutenant General Soeryadi, the new head of the Retired Officers Association of Sumatra, said in late February that the greatest dangers facing Indonesia today are:
- neo-liberalism
- neo-capitalism
- neo-imperialism
These forces combined represented a form of neo-colonialism, or a new domination of Indonesia by foreigners, with the aim of taking control of the country’s natural wealth.
The assault of the neo-isms was succeeding because a section of the Indonesian elite benefited from it, while the poor of the country only suffered, and small businessmen were unable to compete with the big capitalists.
Democracy was not working as it should, by allowing for pluralism and respect of differences, but was instead causing division and hatred. For example, so many recent local government elections had ended in bickering, or worse, and it was clear that corruption and “money politics” played a major role. republika
Divide et Impera
On April 25th the minister for Youth and Sport, Adhyaksa Dault, said that the old methods of foreign domination of Indonesia, by colonialist divide et impera, had morphed into new forms, this time employing the weapons of liberalism and materialism against the youth of the nation, its future leaders, all with the same old purpose, to divide and conquer.
Adhyaksa Dault, right, with a youth.
Speaking at the Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (Unissula) in Semarang he said materialistic and liberal values entered Indonesia via information networks, institutions, and through processes involved in investment, and industrialisation:
Because of liberalisation, industrialisation and trade globalisation, local capitalists work together with global financial institutions to make fat profits with the tiniest possible outlay.
Young people had to be on their guard, because:
They want Indonesia to break up, like in the days of the Sultans, they want us to hate each other.
Nevertheless globalisation had to be faced and youth had to equip themselves by holding firm to religious nationalism, acquiring knowledge and skills, not being stuck up, and as leaders, being willing to serve, not be served. antara
15 Comments on “Political Isms”
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jaka says:
Want to add one: neo-conservatism, either religious or not (like some green movements).
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PrimaryDrive says:
We should arrest these general and minister for trying to non-sensically educate our population. As the long term impact of wide spread stupidity can seriously harm our future productivity, and hence e.g. our food supply, these two individuals form a threat for the nation. They should be jailed.
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Sylvester says:
I think both of them are right at some points (not all).
Western governments need a lot of natural resources such as crude oil, coal, gas, ores from the developing countries such as Indonesia. These governments certainly will only do for their own people’s benefit, go to hell with the local people. Although many humanitarian NGOs have done a lot of good work in many poor countries, however, the majority of Western people do not really care that they have benefit from the poor in the developing countries.For example, most of the toys and clothing are made in China. The Chinese labor only earns less than 50 cents per item. The price here could be between 20-50 dollars which the biggest profit goes to the capitalists in the West.
This also happen with the product made in Indonesia. The worker, especially women, only get less than 1 % of the profit, which mostly goes to the filthy big stores owners in the West.
In addition, most Westerners think they are superior since they are more advanced in the science and technology. Many White Aussie think they are together with White American are the best in Asia Pacific. However, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Korea for example are advanced as well, even better than Australia. China is developing fast and soon will join the club.
Indonesia?
If Indonesians want to join the club, they will have to be self-esteem, work hard and honest.
Never think that bule are always smart. -
Kangaris says:
The wealth is from the god. Specially for the moslem country, Allah just only gives them. Without any difficulty. In other case, for the non muslem country, they must working hard to earning the wealth.
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I would add “consumerism” as a yet another ism that is a serious problem for Indonesia… everything from the gross conspicuous consumption of the rich to recruitment of the the poor into the “mall” culture.
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Hey that’s a blogger! The one in the picture with Adhyaksa Dault.
@ topic
I support neo-nerdism, neo-geekism, and neo-bookwormism. Yeah!
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I think all the isms are essentially the same, only that the impact is much stronger and faster with the help of global political and business powers, as well as with the advancement of technology in telecomunication and computing.
It’s a never ending struggles between paradoxes. -
dewaratugedeanom says:
Sylvester said
Western governments need a lot of natural resources such as crude oil, coal, gas, ores from the developing countries such as Indonesia.
Only the Western governments? And what about China? Do you think they are protecting regimes like Sudan and Myanmar with poor human rights records, if not to safeguard access to their natural resources? Not to mention their own human rights records, of course. What is happening now in Congo?
If you are talking about neo-colonialism don’t only look West. -
Lairedion says:
Sylvester,
Read this article here and see for yourself how far China is willing to go. I already can imagine the devastating effects to local populations and environment because it will only trigger the nasty greediness of corrupt local leaders.
China considers buying land overseas to secure food supply – report
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China is different. It does not want to get involved in the domestic issue. Thus, it may seems that China is ignorant to the civil war in Sudan. Also, we are talking about Indonesia in specific. Do you think there may be problem with Chinese investment in Indonesia? Or Chinese spreads its ideology and neo-colonizes Indonesia, like the Whites always do? You should be more careful in comparing China and the West.
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Human nature that everything has to be labeled and an -ism on the end of a word is the easiest way to label…a point made well and proved by Marisa!
Sylvester….
It seems your beef is with white people and not the -isms themselves!
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Janma says:
I don’t like labels….. they itch.
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gigi says:
About Sudan, let’s just say that if the US had a huge investment in Sudan (like China did) they would’ve stayed silence on the human rights issue as well. The US are notorious for their double standards, aren’t they?
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Rambutan says:
Speaking at the Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (Unissula) in Semarang he said materialistic and liberal values entered Indonesia via information networks, institutions, and through processes involved in investment, and industrialisation
True, and thanks God for liberal values entering Indonesia.
Do you think there may be problem with Chinese investment in Indonesia?
Look to Papua where Chinese companies are heavily involved in illegal logging (with a helping hand from TNI providing security) and I would say Yes, there is a problem, too, with Chinese investment.
Comment on “Political Isms”.
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Good article. Spot on!