The Political Economy of Indonesia's Economic Development, Volume I - The Dawn of Civilisation to a New Order Era: 2000BC to 1998AD

Spanning over four millennia, this sweeping historical analysis traces Indonesia s economic journey from prehistoric agrarian societies to the democratic challenges of the 21st century. Integrating political economy, history, and development studies, the book offers a rich, multi-layered account of how geography, empire, trade, colonialism, revolution, and reform have shaped the world s largest archipelagic nation.
The first volume charts Indonesia s transformation from early maritime kingdoms and colonial exploitation to the rise of the New Order and its dramatic collapse in the wake of the Asian Financial Crisis. It interrogates the interplay between power and production, foreign influence and domestic agency, and growth and inequality, laying bare the forces that have driven, distorted, and disrupted Indonesia s economic development. This book is essential reading for scholars, students, policymakers, and anyone interested in Southeast Asian development, global capitalism, and the long-term dynamics that shape emerging economies.

List of contents

1. Introduction.- 2. The Dawn of Civilization (2000 BC - 1 AD).- 3. Trade and Kingdoms (1 AD - 1500 AD).- 4. The Influence of Hindu-Buddhist States (200 - 1500 AD).- 5. The Arrival of European Powers (1500 - 1800).- 6. Dutch Colonial Economy (1800 - 1942).- 7. World War II and Japanese Occupation (1942 - 1945).- 8. The Road to Independence (1945 - 1950).- 9. Guided Democracy and Economic Nationalism (1950 - 1965).- 10. The New Order Era (1966 - 1998).- 11. Conclusion.

About the author

Sangaralingam Ramesh is a Departmental Tutor in Economics at the Department of Continuing Education, University of Oxford, and a Lecturer (Teaching) in Economics at University College London, UK.

Product details

• Authors: Sangaralingam Ramesh
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 08.11.2025
• EAN: 9783031943492
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3194349-2
• No. of pages: 427
• Illustrations: XIV, 427 p. 1 illus.
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Politics and business; Wirtschaftswissenschaft, Wirtschaftsgeschichte, Asien, Economic history, auseinandersetzen, Asian Economics, Maritime Economics, Political Economy and Economic Systems, Technological development, Post-independence economy, Economic development in Indonesia, Historical development of Indonesia, Colonial impact on Indonesia, Dutch Colonial Economy, Economic nationalism, Democracy in Indonesia, Economic decentralization, Political economy of trade