This book offers a unique analysis of how political representatives construct ideas about the nation in contemporary Indonesian politics. In their struggle to define what the authors call the ‘national narrative’, would-be national leaders seek to develop a story about the nation’s past, present and future. These stories feature a unique plot, set of characters, and a moral that the political narrator hopes will resonate. In contemporary Indonesia, the authors assess two prominent national narratives: the technocratic and populist national narratives. The book concludes with an analysis that considers other potential sources of ideas about the nation, as well as the potential implications for domestic politics and Indonesian grand strategy.
Dr Michael Hatherell is a Senior Lecturer in Strategic Studies at Deakin University, Australia. He works as the Academic Director for Deakin in its relationship with the Australian Defence College. Michael’s research interests mainly focus on the role of narrative and ideas in shaping political competition, foreign policy and grand strategy.
Dr Alistair Welsh is a Senior Lecturer and Convenor of Indonesian at Deakin University, Australia. His interdisciplinary research interests relate to cultural contexts in Indonesian/Malay spheres, with a focus on discourse that shapes and/or reflects identity positions.
This book offers a unique analysis of how political representatives construct ideas about the nation in contemporary Indonesian politics. In their struggle to define what the authors call the ‘national narrative’, would-be national leaders seek to develop a story about the nation’s past, present and future. These stories feature a unique plot, set of characters, and a moral that the political narrator hopes will resonate. In contemporary Indonesia, the authors assess two prominent national narratives: the technocratic and populist national narratives. The book concludes with an analysis that considers other potential sources of ideas about the nation, as well as the potential implications for domestic politics and Indonesian grand strategy.
Analyses how political representatives construct ideas about the nation in contemporary Indonesian politics Elaborates on how political contests become an arena for competition between different conceptions of the nation Contributes an ideational perspective on Indonesian politics through an analysis of competing national narratives
Michael Hatherell
Netizens and Shaping Political Narratives in Indonesia Alternative National Political Narratives in Indonesia Prabowo’s Political Discourse and Narrative Jokowi’s Political Discourse and Narrative Political Discourse and National Narratives in Indonesia Political discourse in Indonesia Presidential elections in Indonesia Ideas and Indonesian politics Jokowi’s political discourse 2019 election in Indonesia Populism in Indonesian politics Nationalism in Indonesia Contemporary Indonesian politics Trends in Indonesian politics