History · JC 1 · 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.

• MOE Syllabus Outcomes
• MOE: Independent Southeast Asia: Political Structures - Middle School

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.

Key Questions

1. Explain the main goals and characteristics of Suharto's 'New Order' government.
2. Analyze how the New Order prioritized economic growth and national unity.
3. Assess the methods used by the New Order to maintain political control and social order.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the core tenets and operational characteristics of Suharto's 'New Order' regime.
• Analyze the strategies employed by the New Order to foster economic development and maintain national unity.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and consequences of the New Order's methods for political control and social order.
• Compare the New Order's approach to development with other 'developmental state' models in Southeast Asia.

Before You Start

Post-WWII Decolonization in Southeast Asia

Why: Students need to understand the context of newly independent nations struggling with political and economic challenges to grasp the appeal of the New Order's promises.

Introduction to Political Systems

Why: A foundational understanding of different forms of government, including authoritarianism and democracy, is necessary to analyze the New Order's structure.

Key Vocabulary

New Order (Orde Baru)	The period of Indonesian history under President Suharto's authoritarian rule, from 1966 to 1998, characterized by political stability and economic development.
Dwifungsi (Dual Function)	The doctrine that granted the Indonesian military a significant role in both defense and sociopolitical affairs, ensuring its pervasive influence.
Berkeley Mafia	A group of Indonesian economists, many educated at the University of California, Berkeley, who advised Suharto on economic policy and development.
Bureaucratic Authoritarianism	A political system where a ruling elite, often military or technocratic, prioritizes economic development and social order through centralized, authoritarian control.
Pancasila	The official philosophical foundation of the Indonesian state, consisting of five principles, used by the New Order to promote national unity and ideology.

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.

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

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

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

Real-World Connections

• International Monetary Fund (IMF) economists still analyze the successes and failures of the New Order's economic policies when advising developing nations on strategies for growth and stability.
• Journalists and historians studying contemporary Indonesian politics frequently reference the legacy of the New Order, particularly regarding corruption, human rights, and regional autonomy, in their reporting and analysis.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class debate with the prompt: 'Was the political stability and economic development achieved under the New Order worth the cost of suppressed political freedoms and human rights?' Students should cite specific policies and outcomes to support their arguments.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short excerpt from a speech by Suharto or a policy document from the New Order era. Ask them to identify two key characteristics of the regime mentioned or implied in the text and explain their significance in 1-2 sentences each.

Exit Ticket

On an exit ticket, ask students to list one significant achievement of the New Order and one major criticism. For each, they should write one sentence explaining why it is considered an achievement or criticism.

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.