Middle Power Statecraft
First published 2005 by Ashgate Publishing
Reissued 2018 by Routledge
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Jonathan H. Ping 2005
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ISBN 13: 978-0-815-39052-7 (hbk)
ISBN 13: 978-1-351-15304-1 (ebk)
This book establishes a unifying theory for the concept of middle power (MP). MPs are found to be states which have an innate form of statecraft and perceived power (PP) as a result of their size. This statecraft and PP is shaped by the process of hybridisation, a behaviour which is common to all MPs, and, this book argues, is in fact necessary for the continuing existence of a MP. Hybridisation theory is presented as a basis for analysis, policy development and prediction of MP statecraft and PP. A prerequisite to the founding of hybridisation theory is the new statistical method of definition that this book creates. Sixteen MPs of Asia and the Pacific are identified by this new method of definition.
Indonesia and Malaysia are employed to explore precursory MP statecraft and PP. These two MPs are also the primary subjects of a consideration of the domestic, international, tools and practitioner aspects of statecraft. The other MPs identified by the statistical method of definition are discussed in relation to Indonesia, Malaysia and issues and events of the twentieth century which provide examples of MP statecraft and PP. This comparative facet of the study informs and tests hybridisation theory, as well as providing a historical analysis of Southeast Asia from a statecraft and PP perspective. The fields of international relations and international political economy are thus provided with a theory which can be applied to the practical study of all middle-sized states. Middle-sized states can use the same theory to enhance their own ability to (re)create their state.
This has been a global project that has been assisted by people and institutions from around the world. The Department of History and Politics at the University of Adelaide was my place of study for this work. My most important colleague there was Dr Jie Chen. Other universities and institutions have been crucial to this study. I would like to acknowledge the global academic community, which is always welcoming of a scholar in need, and mention by name the most important to this study. Some have simply had the wisdom to collect a library, whilst others employ individuals who gave me their time and knowledge.
Without access to the following institutions I could not have done the research required for this book: Australian National University (Canberra), Colombia University (New York), Institute of South East Asian Studies (Singapore), McGill University (Montreal), McMaster University (Hamilton), Monash University (Melbourne), New York University (New York), Universitas Airlangga (Surabaya), Universitas Gajah Mada (Yogyakarta), Universitas Indonesia (Depok), Universitas Surabaya (Surabaya), Universitas Tanjungpura (Pontianak), Universitas Udayana (Bali), University of Melbourne (Melbourne).
My first experiences of Indonesia and Malaysia were during the Asian monetary crisis of 19971998. From Timor I travelled west through Indonesia and then up to Singapore. I crossed into peninsula Malaysia and then explored the Borneo territories before re-entering Indonesia at the border between Sarawak and West Kalimantan. The beauty of these states, particularly the people, amazed me and indeed many times I considered ending my field research to remain in the archipelago forever. To all the people who helped me understand their lives and places, thank you! Without such intimate contact this study could not have been done.
In stark contrast to the beauty of the archipelago was the violence and brutality. In Kupang locals stoned a thief as he fled the scene of his crime. On Flores, Javanese beat sarong-wearing animists for being backward and in Pontianak Muslims threw Christian women from a moving bus for asking me about God. In Jakarta, Glodok shopping centre and other smaller businesses along Jalan Gadja Mada burned before my eyes as rioting mobs smashed modern Jakarta with their favoured weapon the stone. Beyond the acts of individuals and groups, the state also imposed itself through fear created by the use and threat of violence. Thank you to those who were brave enough to discuss politics (and other topics which they knew were discouraged by the state) with me. I hope this study assists all the peoples of the archipelago and that in time ideas of reformasi can be broadly agreed upon before being put into practice. Without seeing those aspects of the archipelago, this book would not have been written.
My friends in Kupang, West Timor were very patient with me as I learned the Indonesian language and social norms before I was thrust into the midst of millions of unsuspecting Indonesians and Malaysians who then suffered my confusing speech. Dr Camilo Cruut, my Indonesian language teacher, deserves none of the blame. Dr Thomas Therik at Universitas Kristian, West Timor, assisted me with his advice concerning travel and safety during the political turmoil surrounding the collapse of the New Order regime. He also greatly enhanced my early understanding of outer Indonesia. Finally, in Indonesia, the most important people to this study were all the members of the Whitford family. Their kindness and hospitality was in addition to the invaluable organisational assistance that they gave to my field research. In Malaysia, similar help was offered by my old friend and fellow academic, Noorain Aini, and her colleagues at the Institute of East Asian Studies at the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
Fellow academics gave me encouragement as I began the research for this study. None of them contributed directly to the research, but the enthusiasm they showed for my ideas propelled me a long way. In many ways the completion of a book is more the result of having a sustained belief that it is a valuable contribution to humanity than of the tiring labour. With this in mind I would like to express my humble gratitude for the long-term support provided by my family and friends. Without you this could never have been completed. My brother Alistair Charles Ping and my mother Jennifer Mollie Brooks saw me through the most challenging moments at the beginning of this study. My greatest acknowledgement of appreciation and thanks goes to my dearest Lotus Wei Leng for her patience, perseverance and exemplary life force. Finally, to all the individuals that achieve by furthering themselves, I say thank you, as you have inspired my own pursuit of knowledge.
