Jacques Bertrand’s ‘Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Indonesia’

The watch got to be give wayd is Jacques Bertrands Nationalism and cultural contradict in Indonesia, published by Cambridge University Press in 2004. This maintain is seen as one of the most recent writings on the subject of social conflicts as they are, and finished the prism of the situation in Indonesia.Jacques Bertrand is k non for the darksome scientific research in the area of Asian studies Bertrand is the causations of numerous whole kit re recentlyd to Indonesian conflicts and heathen basiss, so the give-and-take may be seen as either a continuation of this research, or as the essence of concluding all old acquaintance and making it more systematic, indeed eliminating unnecessary data and creating a clear picture of what the situation is and what the root of this situation are.A question may appear (as well as skillful doubts) as for how a Professor and a scientists of Toronto University, which is not fifty-fifty stuffy to Indonesia could perform such ample research and whether the ideas apt(p) in the parole send word be trusted and can be relevant, hardly Bertrand was fit to view the situation from inside, visiting Indonesia and conducting the research there. These research trips as the originator calls them, transformed the initial idea and image of the book, and the resulting work is the one we take now.Speaking most the situation when a foreign author writes about heathenish conflicts of some former(a) country, it has both its advantages and drawbacks. Taking into account that the author states umpteen people from various non-governmental organizations cross sagacious Indonesia provided me with assistance, contacts and resources (Bertrand 2004, p. xv), it may be assumed that the conclusions do in the book are relevant and reliable. 2.The authors purpose of writing this book was systematization of the information which had already been at disposal and filmed deeper depth psychology and application in the theories de scribed in the book however, probably the steer aim of writing this book was to find manageable solutions of the conflict situation. I only hope that my work, in its very small way, can religious service to elucidate some smells of the conflict and perhaps contribute to the reconciliation process. (Bertrand 2004, p. xv) 3. ace of the principal benefits of the book is that Bertrand was able to make huge systematization of the already existing material.This is clearly seen by the strict complex body part of the book, with each bring out addressing the separate aspect of the conflict without tearing it off the general berth of discussion. Thus, trample by step, the reader fills the image of the situation which he has given done the beginning of the book, with additional aspects and details, making it multidimensional. The argument of this book hence differs from other studies that brook addressed various aspects of the heathenish violence of the late 1990s. (Bertrand 200 4, p.6) The principal difference and one of the main advantages of this classification is that it is done through three lines the first one described what agency elites play in raising pagan conflict here Bertrand was brave enough to abjure the strength of certain arguments and evidences (for example, the role of outside forces) and to re-direct discussion into guessing, what forces linked local groups to elites, and why so m whatsoever people joined the riots. The whole structure of the book is made as leading the reader to the manageable conclusions step by step.From the very beginning the author gives basic theoretical overturees as for the possibilities of escalating heathen violence. The advantages of making this chapter the first is in giving serious background for the reader to understand what roots of violence and ethnic conflicts exist at present, which helps to make personal conclusions as for which of the theories is applicable to the situation in Indonesia. B ernard tries to excuse the core of ethnic violence through the conjunction and interrelation of nationalism, institutions and dealing between ethnic groups.It has been emphasized through the book that all old studies had foc utilise on national ethnic identities as well as various socio-economic factors not a single theory had made any(prenominal) stress on the supposal that ethnic violence becomes relevant through the periods of institutional reconstruction of the state. (Bertrand 2004, p. 10) These theoretic approaches are also seen through the crystalize of the nationalism/ ethnic conflict connection, in which Bernard sees the essential aspect nationalism is what links nations to the states (Bertrand 2004, p.15), and spell it is often seen as a very disallow aspect, in its moderate forms nationalism is what defines the face of nation. Having once paid attention to the assumption that religion is the core of the ethnic conflict in Indonesia, Bernard follows this line acros s the several more members, coming to the point that the discussion of how religious issues are managed in the country and how islamization influenced the ethnic structure and relation of people in Indonesia impart finally become the correct choice giving the ideas as for how this conflict should be solved.Making logical structure, Bernard leads the reader to the issue of religion as leading in Indonesian ethnic conflicts, gradually starting the section of religious conflicts with the description of their essence, the reader goes through the explanation of connections between riots and religion, as well as the fall of Sukartos regimen which is seen one of the pushing forces for the escalation of ethnic violence. Though the violence was directed most clearly at the ethnic Chinese, religious undertones were nevertheless present. (Bertrand 2004, p. 102) this quotation shows the objectivity of summary.Bernard tries to avoid categorical statements and assumes that the synopsis of the Indonesian ethnic conflicts should be done very carefully the author is rather cautious in more statements which make the reader understand the striving for being objective. In explaining the reasons for religious riots, for example, Bernard was rather critical of the previous analyses made by other authors, but even in that compositors case it has not been done in denying way, but through the prism of the knowledge which the author possessed and wanted to deliver to the public.(Bertrand 2004, p. 111) Making familiarity or federalism the beat out resolution of the ethnic conflict, Bernard explains this position stating that autonomy could redistribute governmental power, representation, and control over the states resources to provincial or district levels. As such, it gave political elites in these territorial units more power to direct resources to their specific needs (Bertrand 2004, p.185) Thus, having started the book with the discussion of the political local elites a s one of the major participants of ethnic violence, having gone through historical and religious aspects, Bernard good-tempered comes back to these elites in the solution, seeing it as the most beneficial. As it has become clear, the structure is dead strict, vivid, logical and correct. The book can be viewed as the basis for deep summary and understanding the misconceptions which existed in the previous studies on the same subject. These misconceptions take for also partially been mentioned here.4. The assumptions which underlie the authors argument mainly touch the aspect of religion the basic assumption is that religious conflicts become the moving forces for the ethnic conflict, as well as that local elites need self-identification, which also leads them to riots and ethnic violence. One more usable assumption is that though many riots had no religious tint on the surface, the conflict between Islam and Christianity is the ground on which ethnic conflicts grew with assuming that local elites play not the last role in creating these riots.It is also practical to assume that ethnic violence is used as cover for elimination of the undesired religious layers this assumption can be seen through the whole book, though it is not expressed openly, but is rather implied. 5. How to categorize the authors approach to the problem? I would state that it is a combination of sociological and political approaches. It is suggested that sociological approach is viewed through the analysis of the connections between the elites of various level (national, local).Political approach is seen through the suggestion that autonomy will be the best resolution of the conflict. The question is here what other views and perspectives could be used here and how they could change the whole book. Lets think the deuce approaches used by the author are beneficial because they make it possible to come to the relevant conclusions and to make real suggestions as for the possible solution s. If this approach was philosophical it would be absolutely different and probably deeper, but it would not be possible to create basic resolutions for the conflict.6. Methodology which was used by the author is mostly interviewing Bernard spent rather long time verbalise to native people and living among them to gather all information possible for the book. As it is stated in the very first section of the book, colleagues provided useful comments on parts of the manuscript or related papers, some influenced my ideas in discussions at various venues where I presented my work, or forced me to revise my analysis significantly in light of their constructive criticism. (Bertrand 2004, p. xiv) 7.It may seem exhausting to define what audience Bernard addresses in this book. Looking closer at the vocabulary in which the book is written, and thinking of what audience should be the best for narration the theoretical and practical material, it may be assumed that this book will be the most suitable for the researchers who now only work in he area of Asian conflicts and would be interested in information about Indonesia the theoretical background is so strong that it can be used in any related sociological and political studies in the area of the ethnic conflicts, violence and their reasons and sources.Moreover, the line which the author makes through the book (the logical line) can also be used by maestros in analyzing other regions of the world in the similar manner. Though the references made by Bernard to other kit and caboodle and authors, are all noted in the book, it is still easier to be read for those who have an idea about these works and what these works are about. 8. Any author can be criticized and it is always possible to find weak sides in any work, no matter how professional it can be.There of course can be other views on the problem, and Bernard was wise enough as to show these viewpoints in this work and to critically analyze them on the basis of the knowledge available from her life in Indonesia, though it is also possible to look at the problem not through religious prism, but through the prism of political reasons of striving for autonomy, for example, and in this case the research would take a different form.For example, Bowen (1996) speaks about ethnic conflicts viewing them through social conflict and the importance of political choices, without any relation to religion. In his article he writes that emerging of the political systems is the most-valuable element for avoiding violence in any form, and though Bernard relates to institutional changes in the political structure, the arguments are still directed towards religion. 9.Though it may be suggested that while the book was published in 2004, three years might have created serious effect on the Indonesian regime and much could have changed after that. One of the recent articles in Washington Times about Indonesia (Anonymous 2005 p. A22) and its violence on the ethnic background has given assurance that Bernard was secure the arguments given about the Sukarno regime and its impact on raising ethnic conflict are only support and are not denied and even neutralized.Though the tendency towards democratization of the Indonesian society was noted as an important political factor for eliminating violence and destroying the grounds for the conflict when population has accredited the right to elect and to vote, it has become clear that the Sukarno regimes supporters would not have many chances to win the elections. While Bertrand states at the end of the book that the end of regime opened up opportunities for renegotiating new terms of inclusion, or secession, for ethnonationalist groups, (Bertrand 2004, p. 217) this assumption is supported by the abovementioned article.Thus, it is not possible to say that the arguments given by Bernard were gelded with time the perspective drawn by the author was developed as predicted, and the absence of an y recent articles on violence in Indonesia is the best support for the prediction that renegotiating of ethnic groups has taken place. 10. The significance of the writing analyse here is not under any doubts it has become clear that the analysis made by Bertrand is so deep that it cannot be stated any other author has been able to conduct the research of such freehanded scale over the recent years.The significance of this writing is more change magnitude through the two following factors first of all, it has been done from inside of the situation with Bertrand projection multiple research trips to the country and second, seeing the serious conclusions touching the need of autonomy, to which the author was able to come. References Anonymous 2005, Democratizing Indonesia, The Washington Times, September 23, p. A22 Bertrand, Jacques 2004, Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Indonesia, Cambridge University Press. Bowen, JR 1996, The myth of global ethnic conflict, Journal of Democrac y, vol. 7, no. 4, p. 3-14