This thesis explores the ambivalence in Indonesia’s foreign policy towards China, particularly through the transitions from President Susilang Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to President Joko Widodo ...Show moreThis thesis explores the ambivalence in Indonesia’s foreign policy towards China, particularly through the transitions from President Susilang Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). It examines how Indonesia has managed its relationship with China amidst the rise of China as a major global power, highlighting the dual strategies of cooperation and caution. The principle of “bebas aktif” (free and active) has been the foundation of Indonesia’s diplomatic stance, and while both administrations share similarities, practical implementation has differered. Under SBY, Indonesia maintained a balanced diplomatic stance to uphold neutrality, expand alliances, and foster regional stability. His administration emphasized democratic values, multilateralism, and Indonesia’s role as mediator, while also strengthening bonds with China.. In contrast, Jokowi’s tenure has seen a shift towards economic pragmatism, with a significant focus on strenghtening economic ties with China through investments and infrastructure projects. Despite this economic engagement, Indonesia faces ongoing challenges related to the South China Sea dispute, where strategic ambiguity and cautious diplomacy are employed to balance relations with major powers while protecting national sovereignty. This study highlights the dual strategies of cooperation and caution, influenced by economic interests, security concerns, domestic politics, and historical legacies. It also examines public opinion and elite perspectives, revealing a nuanced balance between economic gains and security apprehensions. It also highlights the importance of understanding these detailed diplomatic changes to comprehend Indonesia’s strategic actions, adding to broader discussions about middle power dynamics, regional stability, and geopolitical trends.Show less
This thesis explores the implications of the Electoral bond scheme on political funding transparency in India. Considering the high costs of elections and corruption rate, the demand for...Show moreThis thesis explores the implications of the Electoral bond scheme on political funding transparency in India. Considering the high costs of elections and corruption rate, the demand for transparent funding methods is on the rise. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) framed the Electoral bonds as a tool to curb black money usage and increase transparency. However, NGOs and the opposition parties have criticised the scheme and the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional in February 2024. Analysing the historical development of political funding in India, academic literature, legislation concerning the scheme and data released by the Indian Election Commission regarding the corporations Future Gaming and Hotel Services, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure, and Vedanta Limited. This thesis finds that the Electoral bonds’ largely did not succeed in reducing black money in political funding. Instead, without the implementation of further measures such as effective monitoring organisations and due to the cuts of existing legislation, the scheme provided the opportunity for corporations to exert more influence in political funding than before.Show less
This thesis, concerned with ecological transitions, is more specifically set in the debate of sustainable agricultural practices in India. The chosen approach is a comparative study of two...Show moreThis thesis, concerned with ecological transitions, is more specifically set in the debate of sustainable agricultural practices in India. The chosen approach is a comparative study of two organizations providing seeds to farmers in India: on one side Bayer CropScience Ltd. (India), which promotes the use of hybrid, genetically modified (GM) crops and chemical pesticides; and on the other side Navdanya, which turns to the preservation and development of traditional seeds and practices. The primary aim of this research is to establish a clear link between belief systems and economic ecological practices. From this link, this research proposes a comparison of the values that have a significant effect on Navdanya’s inner workings and economic endeavors to values ruling over Bayer India in order to inform societal transitions towards sustainable economic models. This thesis concludes that Bayer’s episteme is characterized by its definition of progress as growth, and its co-dependence in equilibrium between shareholders and consumers that are more widely set in the Modern episteme’s anthropocentrism and objectification of the ‘other’. Navdanya’s episteme is characterized by a sacred understanding of biodiversity and an attempt to recenter economies towards women and nature in the idea that their creations is merely unpaid work upon which the growth paradigm relies. The two organizations are set in a polarizing tension rooted in the core beliefs of both paradigms.Show less
During the last decades, the legalisation of cannabis has become a hot topic of debate. In countries like the Netherlands, Mexico and Canada, lots of research has been conducted to understand the...Show moreDuring the last decades, the legalisation of cannabis has become a hot topic of debate. In countries like the Netherlands, Mexico and Canada, lots of research has been conducted to understand the effects of, and reasoning behind legalisation. Limited research however exists on the legalisation of cannabis in Asia. Recently, Thailand became the first Asian country to delist cannabis from its Narcotics Act and legalise the drug nationwide. The motives behind this decision however had not been clearly examined or understood. Therefore, the objective of this thesis has been to gain a comprehensive understanding as to why the Thai government decided to legalise cannabis in June 2022 by delisting it from the Narcotics Act, despite its historical ‘war on drugs’ and strict penalties for drug users. By making use of a qualitative research approach, secondary sources have been examined to determine which factors were particularly influential in this decision. Based on the conducted research, it can be concluded that the cultural-historical, political and economic environments of Thailand had just been right for the legalisation of cannabis. To clarify, the political gains that candidate Anutin Charnvirakul could achieve by legalising cannabis in Thailand was of high importance. By campaigning for the legalisation, Charnvirakul aimed to gain support from two important societal groups, as it helps to promote his political party for the upcoming elections in May 2023. Additionally, the decision has been driven by economic motives, because the legalisation of cannabis offers Thailand huge economic opportunities, such as attracting lots of tourists, and becoming a strong competitor in the international cannabis market.Show less
The thesis aims to provide an insight into the broader research field of the UN Women, Peace, and Security agenda, while assessing its critical impact on gender equality in Indonesia. The UN WPS...Show moreThe thesis aims to provide an insight into the broader research field of the UN Women, Peace, and Security agenda, while assessing its critical impact on gender equality in Indonesia. The UN WPS Agenda is being criticised for its Western centric and liberal character, its facilitation of militarisation and the inefficiency of the related National Action Plans. The case study analysis of Indonesia explores the impact of the agenda on gender equality in Indonesia, specifically in counterterrorism. It will be concluded that the WPS agenda operates within a system of underlying patriarchal and neo-colonialist structures that result in asymmetrical power relations between the UN and countries of the Global South. These structures impair the agenda’s ability to create justice for non-white women, as it is based on methods of exclusion and the status quo of domination at their expense. The WPS Agenda therefore lacks transformative potential. Instead, it serves to perpetuate patriarchal and neo-colonial power imbalances.Show less
Since the 1980s, environmental discourse has gained increased attention and has become politicized. It is however important to question the foundations of any discourse and approach it critically....Show moreSince the 1980s, environmental discourse has gained increased attention and has become politicized. It is however important to question the foundations of any discourse and approach it critically. Discourse informs environmental policy and particular discursive constructions have real-life consequences, in particular for peoples who have been marginalized historically in environmental policy-making. This research deals with the discursive constructions of such a group in environmental discourse, namely indigenous peoples in India, also known as ‘Adivasis’. It also explores the foundations of the mainstream environmental discourse in order to shed light on its limitations and the effect it has on the Indian state’s approach to both indigenous peoples and environmental policy-making.Show less
The focus of this study is on autonomy as a solution to political violence in the context of Southern Thailand. Though autonomy has been previously studied in this context as a solution to the...Show moreThe focus of this study is on autonomy as a solution to political violence in the context of Southern Thailand. Though autonomy has been previously studied in this context as a solution to the violent insurgencies, this study aims to further explore autonomy as a solution, with reference to two examples that have been granted a substantial form of autonomy, namely Northern Ireland and Aceh. The comparison of both case studies with respect to the South of Thailand will clarify what aspects are specific to this region and what aspects apply to all regions in similar conflicts. The latter will not only provide more insight into what shape or form autonomy can be used in Southern Thailand and if it is sustainable, but also into autonomy as a solution in a broader sense.Show less
In the last decade, the Indonesian corruption eradication commission (KPK) and various Indonesian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have reported cases related to corrupt behaviour and land...Show moreIn the last decade, the Indonesian corruption eradication commission (KPK) and various Indonesian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have reported cases related to corrupt behaviour and land grabbing by palm oil companies. Thus, corruption remains a persistent problem within the Indonesian palm oil industry. This thesis has investigated the underlying causes of this persistent corruption by analysing the motivations of actors in two corruption cases in Riau, in which the shareholders of two large palm oil companies are accused of bribing public officials in exchange for acquiring land rights permits (HGU). The third case study provides evidence of land grabbing associated with palm oil operations. Four main theories on the motivations behind corruption have been considered in the assessment of the three case studies. Our conclusion is that all four theories provide a partial explanation for the motivation behind corruption, but in isolation, none of the four theories provides an exhaustive explanation. In addition, this study contributes to the understanding of the incentives and motivations for actors in the palm oil industry to engage in corrupt behaviour and land grabbing.Show less
Out of the many examples that contribute to the global rise in right-wing extremist sentiments, Malaysia cannot be excluded. Malaysia is known as a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse nation....Show moreOut of the many examples that contribute to the global rise in right-wing extremist sentiments, Malaysia cannot be excluded. Malaysia is known as a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse nation. However, this public identity is in contrast with the political reality of Malaysia. This multi-ethnicity comes paired with ethnic segregation, where political parties only represent their ‘own’ ethnicity and their ‘own’ people. Though the ethnic Malay community is the most privileged in the country, politicians spread the idea that the ethnic Malays are under a constant threat of marginalization by ethnic minorities. To take this a step further, the privileged position of the ethnic Malay community is protected through the Constitution, resulting in the exclusion of ethnic minorities from political and public spheres. Advocating for ethnic equality and inclusive politics is considered to be going against the Constitution and is taken as a direct attempt at subordinating the Malay community. This has resulted in far-right sentiments surrounding the position of the Malay community vis-àvis the ethnic minorities. In this context, this paper analyses how institutionalized practices of ethnic segregation in Malaysia have created an environment of right-wing extremism.Show less
Two decades since the Bali bombings in 2002, terrorism still occurs nearly annually in Indonesia. This is despite a strong determination from the Indonesian government to eradicate the threat. This...Show moreTwo decades since the Bali bombings in 2002, terrorism still occurs nearly annually in Indonesia. This is despite a strong determination from the Indonesian government to eradicate the threat. This thesis will therefore attempt to provide an answer to the question: “Why has the Indonesian government, since the Bali bombings of 2002, so far failed to eradicate the terrorism threat, despite the police initially showing success in the aftermath of these bombings?”. In a literature review it will be noted that various authors answer this question by referring to the lack of military involvement in Indonesia’s counter-terrorism efforts. Though, in their arguments the long-term effects of such measures are often ill-considered. Therefore, this thesis will attempt to answer the research question by examining these long-term effects. The core of the argumentation will entail that the ‘hard’ approach that has been implemented by the government since the Bali bombings has created a backlash. Terrorists exploit human rights violations committed by the security forces and a significant amount of those who are incarcerated recidivate.Show less
Palm oil constitutes an important international commodity and represents almost half of the world’s shares of vegetable oil. In the past few decades, Indonesia has grown into one of the major...Show morePalm oil constitutes an important international commodity and represents almost half of the world’s shares of vegetable oil. In the past few decades, Indonesia has grown into one of the major global cultivators of this good and became the world’s first producer and exporter in 2008. While this achievement has generated considerable revenue from export earnings and thus contributes to the national economy, the country’s rapid expansion of oil palm plantations and the production of this good has come at a high environmental cost. In fact, the growth of the palm oil sector has several negative impacts on the environment, such as largescale deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and the disruption of important ecosystem services. This thesis puts the expansion of the palm oil industry in Indonesia under the lens of the commodification of nature, discussing the environmental implications of unsustainable production methods of the world’s most consumed vegetable oil, how expansionary projects have been facilitated by neoliberal government views and economic growth as a determinant factor in the growth and development of the palm oil sector.Show less
