Indonesia-when Escapism And Reductionism Dominates

INDONESIA

When Escapism and Reductionism Dominates Hafiz Amirrol 25209022

Fundamental Question

Is it true that what is being referred to as the Indonesian society is really Indonesian as it is being visioned in the Constitution?

Theoretical Question

Why Nationalism, the one that is required in building the society is never a real truth?

Hypothetical Answer

Because there’s always resistance towards Nationalism; (1) Idealist Resistance, and (2) Structural Resistance

What are these Resistance?

Idealist Resistance

Structural Resistance

i.e. Capitalism,

i.e. Transnational Penetration

Nativism

and Intervention

Examples of Resistance Types (Idealists Level)

CAPITALISM Ambition:

Capital Accumulation

Solidarity Value:

Maximum Profit

Mechanism:

Transnational

NATIVISM Ambition:

Ethnic Longevity and Integrity

Solidarity Value:

Community and Brotherhood

Mechanism:

Subnational/ Ethnic - based Politics

CRITICISM TOWARDS UUD 1945

Examples of Resistance Criticisms

(1) for the Capitalists; the law is restricting capital accumulation and is biased towards collective (nation’s) interest.

(2) for the Nativists; the law does not secure ethnics’ rights (i.e. cultural rights) and is regarded as too secular.

Examples of Resistance Types (Structural Level)

TRANSNATIONAL ACTIVITIES Ambition:

Capital and Borderless Accumulation

Solidarity Value:

Globalization

Mechanism:

Free/ Open Trade

Examples:

Corporate Companies International Agencies (i.e. UN, IMF, ADB, World Bank) Non - conventional Organizations (i.e. terrorists)

GLOBAL SCALE RESISTANCE (MULTI-CENTRIC)

Challenges from these Resistance for Indonesia

Two-way Resistance facing the Country; (1) Local/ Idealists Level (2) Transnational/ Structural Level

To accommodate globalization pressure (to facilitate capital accumulation)

DECLINED CAPACITY DECLINED PUBLIC TRUST

Government

}

To accommodate local/ autonomy power pressure (due to decentralization)

Increasing popularity of other ‘isms’ among the society

What is Making it Worse?

Unholistic Approaches from the Government; Critical Issues (heavyweight) were given compromising (lightweight) solutions.

ESCAPIST

REDUCTIONIST

AD-HOC

COMPROMISING AND NAIVE

Example: Substantial and fundamental questions and problems were tried to be resolved from an old political or economical theories which may not be valid anymore.

Conclusion

Escapist and Reductionist way of thinking and approaching problems are letting substantial-fundamental issues to be unresolved…

Postscript

Hypothetically, the same conclusion applies to the approaches and methods in seeing issues or problems in the built environment.

Holistic Approaches in Tackling Issues

References (1)

Leksono, Ninok, Ketika Eskapisme dan Reduksionisme Mendominasi (from Negara

Minus Nurani), Penerbit Buku Kompas, Jakarta (2008) (2)

Stangroom, Jeremy, Dr., Little Book of Big Ideas: Philosophy, A&C Black Publishers Ltd, London (2006)

(3)

Prasetyo, Eko, Kaum Miskin Bersatulah, Resist Book, Jogjakarta (2009)

(4)

Groat, Linda and Wang, David, Logical Argumentation (Chapter 11 from

Architectural Research Methods) John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York (2002)

End Hafiz Amirrol, anti-copyright, 2009