Navigating a Turbulent Ocean: Indonesia’s Worldview and Foreign Policy

This article explores the definition, origins, and meaning of Indonesia’s worldview for contemporary international relations. It finds that Indonesian perceptions of the country’s world role and the realities of its capacities are in tension. Apparent sharp breaks in foreign policy from one regime to the next mask underlying continuities in the country’s view of the world and Indonesia’s place in it. By virtue of its size, location, history, principled behavior, and rich culture, Indonesia is entitled to a leadership role in the region and the world. For Soekamo, the father of the nation, this was political-revolutionary. For Soeharto, this was economic. For contemporary presidents, the inspiration to leadership still exists, even if the capacity to lead is not always present.