Political Systems and Governance · Semester 2

Indonesia's New Order: Stability and Development

Studying Suharto's 'New Order' in Indonesia, focusing on its emphasis on political stability and economic development.

About This Topic

This topic examines 'Bureaucratic Authoritarianism,' specifically focusing on Suharto's 'New Order' in Indonesia (1966–1998). Students analyze how the regime combined military control with the expertise of Western-educated technocrats (the 'Berkeley Mafia') to stabilize the economy and achieve rapid development. The curriculum explores the 'dual function' (dwifungsi) of the military, which gave it a permanent role in both security and civil administration.

Students evaluate the trade-offs of the New Order: significant poverty reduction and infrastructure growth versus systemic corruption and the suppression of political dissent. Understanding this model is vital for discussing the 'Asian Miracle' and the role of the state in economic development. This topic comes alive when students can engage in role-plays of the technocratic planning process and the social impact of 'top-down' development.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Technocrat's Dilemma

Students act as economic advisors in the 1970s. They must decide how to allocate oil revenues between industrial projects, education, and military spending, while navigating the demands of the 'First Family.'

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: The 'Dual Function' of the Military

Students discuss the pros and cons of having military officers serve as governors and CEOs. They reflect on how this might improve efficiency but also lead to corruption and lack of accountability.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Gallery Walk: The New Order's Successes and Failures

Stations feature data on GDP growth and poverty reduction alongside reports on the 'Petrus' killings and the 1997 financial crisis. Students evaluate the long-term sustainability of the New Order model.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Suharto's regime was a simple military dictatorship.

What to Teach Instead

It was a complex 'bureaucratic' system that relied heavily on civilian technocrats and a state-sponsored political party (Golkar) to maintain its legitimacy. Peer analysis of the 'New Order' structure helps students see this complexity.

Common Misconception

The 'New Order' was always corrupt.

What to Teach Instead

While corruption became systemic later on, the early years were characterized by a genuine and successful effort to end hyperinflation and achieve food self-sufficiency. A 'timeline of legitimacy' helps students see how the regime changed over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Berkeley Mafia'?

The Berkeley Mafia was a group of Indonesian economists educated at the University of California, Berkeley. They were appointed by Suharto to key positions and were responsible for the market-oriented reforms that led to Indonesia's economic growth in the 1970s and 80s.

What does 'dwifungsi' mean?

Dwifungsi, or 'dual function,' was the official doctrine of the Indonesian military under Suharto. It stated that the military had two roles: a socio-political role in the government and a traditional role in national defense.

How did the New Order maintain political control?

The regime used a combination of the 'Golkar' party to win elections, the 'dual function' of the military to control the administration, and the 'Pancasila' ideology to suppress alternative political visions, along with the direct suppression of dissent.

How can active learning help students understand bureaucratic authoritarianism?

By simulating the decision-making process of technocrats, students can see the 'rational' side of authoritarian development. This helps them understand why such regimes can be popular and effective in the short term, while also surfacing the structural flaws that lead to their eventual collapse.

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