Rising Economic Nationalism in Indonesia

This paper discusses rising economic nationalism in Indonesia. The findings suggest that protectionism has started to make its way back into the country since the early 2000s. Despite some reform initiatives, economic nationalism has amplified under the current administration, and might continue to do so in the near future. The political-economic factors that explain the re-emergence of protectionist measures under Joko Widodo’s presidency form the body of this study. Using the case studies of fuel and rice, it shows that while economic nationalism might prove to be politically rewarding, its detrimental impact on the poor cannot be ignored. It is therefore in Indonesia’s best interest to resist the continuing push for protectionist policies.