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The Archipelagic Paradox Islands, Cities and the Modern State, 1808-2008

Author

Listed:
  • Howard Dick

    (The Faculty of Business & Economics at The University of Melbourne)

Abstract

Indonesia has embraced the concept of an archipelagic state along with the implications for foreign policy. Yet, in the realm of domestic policy, there is still little substance. Transport and communications are fundamental to national integration yet suffer from a massive backlog of investment and chaotic regulation. This paper seeks to explain the lack of archipelagic thinking by combining historical and comparative perspectives. The main argument is that for two centuries state policy has sought not so much to integrate as to standardise the archipelago within a system of territorial administration that over-rode natural economic regions. This grand scheme has so far had only partial success but in the midst of this vast national construction site there has emerged one exemplary centre, the mega-city of Jakarta. Urbanisation has fundamentally altered Indonesia’s economic and political geography and there is much to be learned from European experience.

Suggested Citation

  • Howard Dick, 2010. "The Archipelagic Paradox Islands, Cities and the Modern State, 1808-2008," Economics and Finance in Indonesia, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, vol. 58, pages 37-55, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:lpe:efijnl:201002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    economic geography; territorial state; colonial bureaucracy; economic system;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism
    • N95 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Asia including Middle East
    • P51 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - Comparative Analysis of Economic Systems

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