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East Asian Politics page

Indonesia

GOVT 201: East Asian Politics
Sweet Briar College
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Clem
For use of enrolled SBC students ONLY.

Years	Leader(s)
1950-	Sukarno
1955-	Sukarno
1960-	Sukarno
1965-	Suharto
1970-	Suharto
1975-	Suharto
1980-	Suharto
1985-	Suharto
1990-	Suharto
1995-	Suharto
2000-	Megawati
2005-	Yodhoyono
Years indicated above are approximate.

Basic facts:
Political system:	Presidential republic
National leader:	Pres. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Structure:	Unitary
Regime founded:	2002
Democracy:	Weak, transitional
Population:	235 million
Per capita GDP:	$3,900
Distinctive features: Dutch colonized 17th Century to control spice trade. Occupied by Japan, 1941-1945; indep. in 1949 86% Muslim, but much cultural diversity due to islands; Bali is Hindu. Nationalism is strong, hence separatist conflicts. Large oil exports: member of OPEC and ASEAN.

Indonesia map

To see a continental-scale map, roll the mouse over the map above.
Click on it to see a key that explains the map symbols.

Political parties:

Name	Golkar	PDI-P	PPP	PD	PAN	PKB	PKS	others
Seats*:	128	109	58	55	53	52	45	50

NOTES: * Seats in lower house. Ideological orientation of parites is uncertain.
SOURCES: CIA World Factbook, various newspapers.

Background history

Sailendra dynasty, 8th Century: Hindu temples at Bali, etc.
Mataram dynasty, 10th Century: Buddhist influence
Muslim dominance, 14th Century, but combined with native beliefs
Portuguese dominated spice trade, 16th Century
Dutch gradually took over, 1596-1641, heavy-handed colonization
"Ethical" reform colonial policy by the Dutch, 1901
Oil exploration and production, early 20th Century
Japanese occupation during World War II, 1942-1945
Struggle for independence, 1949
Sukarno, populist anti-imperialist leader, 1949-1965
Separatist uprisings in Sumatra Celebes, etc. in 1950s
Coup in 1965, bloody purge of Indonesian Communist Party (PKI)
Gen. Suharto (pro-U.S.) is declared president, 1968
Economic boom due to petroleum exports in 1970s
Seizure of East Timor (Portuguese colony), 1976
Suharto resigns after protests during economic crisis, 1997
U.N. troops mediate cease-fire in East Timor, 1999; independence 2002
Megawati (daughter of Sukarno) is elected president, 2001
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is elected president, 2004

SOURCE: Brian May, The Indonesia Tragedy (London & Boston: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1978), Wikipedia