"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Indonesia, with its thousands of islands, hundreds of languages and cultural groups, and a population of over 180 million remains a stranger to the international community. Even in Asia, the country is little understood. Why? Indonesia didn't achieve its independence from centuries of colonial rule until after World War II. And General Soeharto, who governed since 1966 (and still did at the time of this book's writing), was a conservative leader, fiercely anticommunist and inward-looking, whose politics were "... repressive, highly stylized and formulaic." This is a book mainly about Soeharto and his style of leadership. Convinced that party politics led inevitably to national instability, he focused instead on economic development. Schwarz examines this in the full light of Soeharto's nepotism, his children's abuse of privilege, and the drain on the Indonesian economy at the hands of crony businessmen.
Only 30 years ago, Indonesia was an impoverished, agrarian nation. Schwarz explores the impact of economic development on the culture itself; the transition, for example, of a population from rural to urban; the exposure, thus, of a broader population to outside information and ideas. Progress would continue to hit the wall of Soeharto's rigid political system.
With an insider's knowledge, Schwarz articulates the major challenges to an Indonesia still under Soeharto's rule--economic reform; creating a consensus of economic policy; racial tensions; corruption and nepotism; and the East Timor problem, among others. His introductory words hang somewhere between prescience and hindsight when he writes: "There are many roads Indonesia could take through the 1990s. Some would lead to a smooth transition of power, others would not. Soeharto may choose to recognize the pressures for a change in governance ... or he may continue to avert his eyes."
Written and published before the Asian economic crisis and the fall of the Soeharto government in May of 1998, A Nation in Waiting will be read more as an explanation of how things came to be instead of for its current political and economic assessment. Prophetic statements--"The nation's political edifice, which by the early 1990s had become precariously dependent on one man, is beginning to show its age. More and more educated Indonesians see Soeharto's brand of leadership ... as now outdated, excessively paternalistic and a hindrance to national development"--now function ironically as a backward glance shedding light on the bloodless May revolution. --Hollis Giammatteo
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # T12A-03390
Book Description Condition: Good. . Owner's name on inside. Seller Inventory # L08E-00027
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_322423178
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00028889470
Book Description 1994, Asia, Allen & Unwin, 370 p., very good paperback. Seller Inventory # 21469
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. A Nation in Waiting: Indonesia in the 1990s This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9781863736350
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781863736350
Book Description Paperback. Condition: As New. 8th printing. A fine copy! Sec 47B. Seller Inventory # 55212
Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No DJ. First Edition. Pp: xiii + 370. Titles: frt. Illust. w/ b/w map. Card wrps. Interior leaves are clean and tight. Behind-the-scenes view of Indonesia and speculation about the future. W hat was happening in Indonesia in the 1990's? Apparently quite a lot. The continuing role of President Suharto; the East Timor debacle; controversy regarding ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs; the political role and power of the Indonesian Muslim majority. Written by a journalist who reported on Indonesia from 1988-1992 for the Far Eastern Economic Review. Includes endnotes and index. Includes bibliography, notes & index. Seller Inventory # 004460
Book Description Soft cover. Condition: VG+. Dust Jacket Condition: No DW. 1st. pp.370. covers very sl rubbed and sunned else near fine copy. Seller Inventory # 006566