This paper focuses the Chinese of Indonesia, that group that is assumed to dominate
the economy as well as to be unassimilable (Oetomo 1989). In the course of this essay, the follwing thesis will be examined: only because of the political and economic intrumentalization by the Dutch colonial government, the Chinese migrants became the so-called seperated “ethnic Chinese minority group”
and stayed in this condition as a result of the independent Indonesian state’s policy.
The first part of this paper presents an explanation of the term “migration” and
introduces an overview of migration research and the history of migration to South
East Asia. While the second part discusses the theoretical premisis of the construction of an ethnical minority, the third part reassess the drawn conclusion on the case of the Chinese in Indonesia.
A summary of the results are given in the conclusion.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Migration
2.1. Definition of Migration
2.2. History of Migration Research
2.3. History of Chinese Migration to South-East Asia
2.4. Relations between the Chinese State towards the Chinese emigrants
2.5. History and Demography of Chinese Migration to Indonesia
3. Theoretical Foundations
3.1. Instrumentalization of the Chinese Minority in the Colonial and Independent Indonesian State
3.2. The concept of ethnicity
3.3. The definition of ethnic minority
3.4. The meaning of ethnic conflicts
4. Case Study
4.1. The Colonial State and the Chinese Minority
4.2. The Independent Indonesian State and the Chinese Minority
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the political and economic instrumentalization of the ethnic Chinese minority in Indonesia by both the Dutch colonial government and the independent Indonesian state, investigating how this marginalization was used to maintain power and consolidate national identity.
- Historical context of Chinese migration to Indonesia.
- Theoretical framework regarding ethnicity, ethnic minorities, and conflict.
- The role of the "middleman minority" position in colonial and post-colonial politics.
- State-building strategies and the exclusion of the Chinese minority.
- The impact of official state policy versus social reality on the ethnic Chinese.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1. The Colonial State and the Chinese Minority
In the pre-colonial times a cultural exchange between the Pribumis and the Chinese took place and the migrants represented an integrated and accepted group of society (Chua-Franz 2002). The situation changed with the Dutch colonial policy. Under European colonial power certain policies were introduced which separated the Chinese from the indigenous society.
One of these policies was the introduction of the so-called “Officer System” which gradually developed between 1619 and 1837. In order to control the Chinese and make use of them as traders as well as laborers, the Dutch appointed a wealthy man who was given the title “Kapitein” which granted him the right to lead in regard to the community’s customary law. Because of the increase of the Chinese population in 1678 a Chinese Lieutenant and later a Sergeant were assigned to support the Kaptein in his function. With the assignment of a Majoor, who was higher ranked in the hierachy than the Kaptein, for big cities in 1837 the “Officer System” was completed. None of the officers were salaried; however, they used their power to gain profit, and even if their work was mostly admistrative they sometimes went beyond the powers assigned to them. This posed a threat to the Dutch who in consequense imposed regulations to limit the power of the officers (Suryadinata 1993).
Other ways for the Dutch authorities to keep control over the Chinese were the “Zoning System” implemented in 1835 and the “Pass System” in 1863. The first was meant to prevent the Chinese from living among the indigenous population by confining them in specific areas. The only way for them to leave these areas was through being in possession of a pass. In 1863 the “Pass System” was enforced to such an extent that it was necessary for the Chinese to get passes for every four days spent outside of the area they were confined to (Suryadinata 1993).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on the instrumentalization of the ethnic Chinese and introduces the core thesis regarding their positioning as an unassimilable minority.
2. Migration: Defines migration theories and provides an overview of Chinese migration history, demographic changes, and the shifting relations between the Chinese state and its emigrants.
3. Theoretical Foundations: Explores the concepts of ethnicity, ethnic minorities, and politicized conflicts to establish a framework for understanding minority discrimination.
4. Case Study: Analyzes the specific historical mechanisms, such as the Officer, Zoning, and Pass Systems, used by colonial and independent Indonesian authorities to instrumentalize the Chinese.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings, confirming that the Chinese minority served as a useful tool for elites to manipulate the population and maintain political stability.
Keywords
Indonesia, Ethnic Chinese, Instrumentalization, Colonialism, Migration, Middleman Minority, Ethnicity, State-building, Discrimination, Nationalism, Peranakan, Totok, Social Integration, Politics, Minorities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The paper focuses on the ethnic Chinese community in Indonesia, specifically analyzing how they were politically and economically instrumentalized by ruling authorities from the colonial era through the independent Indonesian state.
What is the primary research question?
The study investigates how the political and economic instrumentalization by the Dutch colonial government created a "separated" minority group, and how subsequent Indonesian state policies maintained this condition.
Which theoretical framework does the author apply?
The author utilizes theories of ethnicity, defining it as a social construct, and explores the concept of "middleman minorities" to explain why and how the Chinese were marginalized.
What is the "middleman minority" concept?
It describes an ethnic group that occupies an intermediate position in the economic hierarchy, often serving as a buffer between elite power holders and the indigenous population, which frequently leads to their scapegoating in times of crisis.
How does the author characterize the Indonesian state's role?
The author argues that the Indonesian state not only created the framework for ethnic conflict to consolidate national identity but also actively played a primary role in sustaining these conflicts.
What is the significance of the "Peranakan" and "Totok" distinction?
These terms describe different segments of the Chinese community—the former more integrated with local culture and the latter maintaining stronger ties to Chinese identity—and illustrate the complexity of the community's interaction with the host society.
How did the colonial "Officer System" influence the Chinese community?
It allowed the Dutch to control the Chinese population by appointing leaders who managed community affairs according to colonial needs, which helped isolate them from the indigenous population.
Did assimilation policies succeed in Indonesia?
The author concludes, based on several experts, that despite official assimilation policies, these efforts largely failed, as the state continued to marginalize and discriminate against populations of Chinese origin.
- Quote paper
- Bakk. phil. David Wense (Author), 2008, Instrumentalization of the Ethnic Chinese in Indonesia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/120982
