INDONESIA‟S ROLE AS A MIDDLE POWER: A NEO-LIBERALIST AND CONSTRUCTIVIST ANALYSIS

This research tends to examine Indonesia‟s role as a middle power from the perspective of Realism, Neo-Liberalism and Constructivism. Middle powers are states with moderate influence and strategic importance as a part of the international system, as they are able to implement policies to distinguish their identity without relying on decisions made by great powers. Based on their most prominent power resource and foreign policy practices, middle powers could be classified as: Enforcers (hard power) from Realist perspective, for instance China and Russia; Assemblers (diplomatic behavior) from Neo-Liberalist perspective, such as Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey; and Advocators (soft power) from Constructivist perspective, i.e. Australia, Canada and South Korea. This thesis argues that since independence in 1945, Indonesia has consistently conducted the role of middle power Assembler in regional affairs. During Sukarno‟s term, Indonesia had represented third world countries in international affairs by pioneering Asian-African Conference and non-aligned movement, as well as rejecting neo-imperialist and neo-colonialist forces in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile during Soeharto‟s term, Indonesia had initiated the establishment of ASEAN, enhancing consultation between regional member states under the basis of ASEAN Way and non-interference principle. However during the early Reformation Era, Indonesia‟s concern towards domestic economic and political instability had resulted in vacuum of regional leadership in ASEAN. Afterwards since Yudhoyono‟s presidency in 2004, Indonesia has successfully implemented dual middle power roles of Assembler and Advocator by expanding regional cooperation and promoting democracy in multilateral forums. Finally, Indonesia‟s 2014 election which resulted in Jokowi‟s victory also had a regional impact