Back to the past: The roots of Indonesian middlepowermanship

Abstract

This article challenges prevalent perspectives on Indonesian foreign policy by delving into the nuanced intricacies of the country's strategic culture, especially from its role as a middle power. The conventional understanding categorizes Indonesia as capable of embracing either a status quo or revisionist stance. However, this analysis proposes a comprehensive re-evaluation through the lens of strategic culture theory to decipher the distinctive approach of Indonesian middlepowermanship. The argument posits that Indonesian leaders draw inspiration from and strategically utilize the historical legacies of pre-modern kingdoms—specifically, the Majapahit and Mataram kingdoms. These ancient empires serve as pivotal references in shaping contemporary foreign policy orientations. The Majapahit kingdom becomes instrumental when Indonesia pursues revisionist-like foreign policies, seeking to assert its influence and challenge established norms. Conversely, the Mataram kingdom's legacy is invoked when the state aims to maintain a status quo, prioritizing stability and regional harmony. By scrutinizing these historical paradigms, this article unpacks the intricate interplay between Indonesia's strategic culture, its historical antecedents, and its foreign policy orientations. It seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of Indonesian middlepowermanship, elucidating the adaptive utilization of historical narratives in shaping the country's geopolitical behavior on the modern global stage.