|
|
Article: The Javanese empire. (leadership of Java over the other islands of Indonesia) (Survey of Indonesia)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- April 17, 1993
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1993 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
UNTIL recently, Indonesia was always referred to as the world's fifth most populous country. Then the Soviet Union fell apart and Indonesia moved up a place to fourth. Any gratification felt by Indonesia's leaders at this promotion must have been mixed with disquiet. No patriotic Indonesian can relish the sight of another large, multi-ethnic country breaking up.
Like the old Soviet Union, Indonesia is a nation in which one culture is more equal than others. Much as Russia overshadowed the other republics, so Java dominates Indonesia. The president and the head of the armed forces are Javanese, and most people think they always will be. Civil servants and provincial ...