Interpreting Indonesian Politics: Thirteen Contributions to the Debate

This work delineates the evolution of the historiography of Indonesian politics by Western scholars (most of whom have conducted extensive fieldwork in the area). The essays in this work (by such authors as Joel S. Kahn, Rex Mortimer, and Donald K. Emerson) are presented in chronological order and thus track the critical debate and varied perspectives that inform much of Indonesian studies. The authors are concerned with the history and politics of Indonesia (the controversies surrounding various interpretations of Guided Democracy and the New Order are especially fascinating), the turmoil and change of the 1950s, and the conceptual approaches and critical frameworks used by scholars. Yet, most importantly (as evidenced by Herbert Feith's response to an article by Harry J. Benda), these essays offer new opportunities and avenues for discussion, analysis, interpretation, and explanation. 1982. 3rd printing 1991. 172 pages.