Indonesia’s foreign policy studies: defying the ‘old wine in a new bottle’ convention

• Main Author: Priamarizki, Adhi
• Other Authors: E. A. Laksmana
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) 2023
• Subjects: Social sciences::Political science::International relations; Indonesian Foreign Policy; Mohammad Hatta
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/164255; https://www.csis.or.id/event/book-launching-and-discussion-hatta-and-indonesias-independent-and-active-foreign-policy/
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Indonesia has been treating Hatta’s ‘independent and active’ principle as a sacrosanct foundation of the country’s foreign policy. From time to time, Indonesian leaders have cited the principle to justify their foreign policy agenda. At a glance, it seems that the adoption of the ‘independent and active’ principle reflects an ‘old wine in a new bottle’ view in examining Indonesia’s foreign policy, whereby the leadership and era might be different, but ‘independent and active’ approach remains intact. Specific elements and context have significantly shaped Indonesia’s foreign policy, rather than being solely driven by Hatta’s ‘independent and active’ principle. Furthermore, it is domestic elements, including the personalistic view and preference of policymakers, that no doubt shape Indonesia’s foreign policy. This raises questions about the translation of ‘independent and active’ into real policy.