The 'wise eagle'? Indonesia's foreign policy and the politics of national identity

This work attempts to offer a plausible narrative of a triangular interaction among state ideology, foreign policy and national identity in the Indonesias New Order's era. The state ideology, Pancasila serves as the source for both foreign policy and national identity. It inscribes the ideals and goals of an ideal Indonesian person. While capturing these values and translating them into their principles and actions, foreign policy speaks to both external and internal politics. It communicates Jakarta's position in international politics and at the same time, informs and models for the Indonesian citizens about who they are.; This project is (1) an examination of the impact of Pancasila on foreign policy and foreign policy's participation in Pancasila's construction of the Indonesian national identity; (2) a qualitative and an interpretive study of national identity based on the former president Suharto's remarks on foreign policy; also supported by the existing literature on the subject. As part of his annual address of state, his remarks contain bask assumptions and policy guidelines.; This study reveals that the Indonesian national identity as propagated by the state revolves around two major themes: development and harmony. The ideal Indonesian person is one who has developed an excellent blend of “ moderen” (modern) and asli (indigenous) aspirations; one who always aspires and strives to realize harmony, favors no conflict and dedicates one's life to pembangunan/development. The ultimate objective of such construction of identity is to ensure the citizens' loyalty and obedience to the New Order government, their internalization of this imagination of nation-state and the support for the New Order's participation in the global economy.