INDONESIAN IMAGES OF THEIR NATIONAL SELF

In: Public opinion quarterly: journal of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Band 22, Heft 3, S. 305-324

Abstract

Responses came from 355 persons to a contest in 3 party & 6 provincial papers in Mar, 1957 asking R's ranged from 13-73 yrs in stated age, with 123 R's in the 20-29 age group. S's & teachers were over represented, with the illiterate & quasiilliterate not represented. Few women participated. The analysis is qualitative & based primarily on personal judgment. Indonesian Position in the World: Lack of national unity is attributed to the Dutch policy of divide & rule. Obsession with colonial rule or with Japan's impact is not present. Most of the comments on Western influences are negative. There are few direct references to Chinese in the econ life despite pol'al hostility to that group among the elite. About 10% of the responses discuss specific foreign countries: the US or communist countries. 20% of entries reflect a desire to see Indonesia play an important role in world affairs based on a belief that Indonesia is morally superior & has a national ideology of universal applicability, but few entries recommend the official neutralist policy. Indonesia as a Nation: 11% of entries mentioned the image of a national past as renewed by the Proclamation of Independence. Cultural self-confidence & an optimistic view of Indonesia's future are the dominant impressions. Moral principles are primarily anchored in religious beliefs by Sukarno's Five Principles & the basis of conflict between religious & nationalistic ideologies. National Difficulties & National Goals: The most frequent complaint (10%) is against corruption in public office. Internal divisions & econ stagnation are other difficulties. Positive goals include strong appeals for national unity by 33% of the entries, implementing the Five Principles, achieving national glory, justice, prosperity for Indonesia & the world. Peace, liberty, & equality are mentioned by 14%. Some entries mentioned progress & econ development as national objectives though demographic problems were mentioned by only 1 R. 10% mentioned educ - possibly because an increase in literacy is one of the major achievements of the Republic. Indonesia's Political System: Critical comments about Parliament, pol'al parties, & gov'al instability suggest that R's assess the situation realistically but suggest remedies in moral rather than pol'a.l terms. J. D. Twight.