Emerging RI uses mediation, peace

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | World | Thu, August 14 2014, 12:02 PM

New piece: Amitav Acharya, professor of international relations at the American University, Washington,
DC, USA (left) presents his book, Indonesia Matters: Asias Emerging Democratic Power, to Deputy Foreign
Minister Dino Patti Djalal during the books launch at the foreign ministry on Wednesday. JP/Don

Indonesia was poised to be an emerging world power thanks to its mediatory, peaceful approach
toward foreign policy issues, an academic said on Wednesday.
Author and professor of international affairs at the American University in Washington DC, Amitav
Acharya, cited Indonesias recent presidential election, which he described as an excellent example of
world democracy and praised the nations role as a mediator in regional affairs, such as issues
involving maritime security in the South China Sea.
He said that the Indonesian story suggested a different pathway to emerging power status.
The pathway is based not so much on military or economic sources, but is on developing a positive,
virtuous correlation [through] democracy, stability and development while pursuing a foreign policy of
restraint towards neighbors and an active engagement with the world at large, he said during the
launch of his latest book, Indonesia Matters: Asias Emerging Democratic Power.
During the launch at the Foreign Ministry, Acharyas latest work was discussed by a panel of
speakers consisting of Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) researcher Phillips J.
Vermonte, Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal and The Jakarta Post chief editor Meidyatama
Suryodiningrat, all of whom praised the books message.
Also attending the event were several foreign ambassadors, a number of international relations
students and staff of the Foreign Ministry.
Acharya noted that in the midst of current major world conflicts such as the Gaza war and Ukraine
insurgency, the story of Indonesias remarkable display of democratic process and commitment to
mediation made up for what he deemed a very depressing time in international affairs.
Vermonte commented that the book was interesting because it tried to define Indonesias successes
as a democracy through the context of foreign policy.
Despite claiming that he feels good when reading about Indonesias foreign policy achievements,
Vermonte also questioned whether the praise given to Indonesia in the book was tangible or visibly
affected its political stature in the world or its economic growth.
Meanwhile, Meidyatama commented that Acharyas book was thought provoking as it raised
questions on how Indonesia mattered as a soft power and a player of democracy as well as noting the
elaboration on why the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono presidency was deemed very successful in its
foreign policy approach.
It is required reading material for Indonesian foreign policy students, diplomats going into foreign
service and those going to be posted in Indonesia [] as it explains, and also questions, what
Indonesia stands for and how issues such as human rights, democracy and maritime security could
be discussed in the future, he said.
The book is expected to be in stores this week.
Vermonte added that usually a country became a power through wealth accumulation or military
might. Indonesia has proven diplomatically that it has become some kind of positive force in the
world, with the participation in institutions such as the G20, APEC and ASEAN, without the reliance of
both, he told the Post.
If we look at it through a political perspective, Indonesia is seen as a success. But from a critical point
of view, we must ask whether Indonesias efforts on democracy have translated into anything
tangible, such as rising investment numbers or sustainable economic growth that is not based on
domestic consumption. Has the emerging power tag yielded tangible results? the researcher asked.
Acharya has written many books and articles on foreign policy, especially on the topic of ASEAN and
Southeast Asian foreign policy. His published works include Constructing a Security Community in
Southeast Asia (2009) and Rethinking Power: Institutions and Ideas in World Politics (2013). (dyl)

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