Kuliah Umum Profesor Vedi Hadiz: Perkembangan Ilmu Sosial Di Indonesia

Summary

The speaker discusses the evolution of social science in Indonesia, emphasizing its historical context shaped by political power structures, particularly during the New Order regime. They highlight how certain theories and methodologies were promoted or marginalized. The speaker explores the shift from modernization theories to neoliberal ideologies post-Cold War and critiques the global financial crisis of 2008. They argue that social science must critically engage with and challenge existing inequalities, especially in the face of structural injustices revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic, urging new generations to confront and question the status quo.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social sciences in Indonesia have never developed autonomously, always influenced by larger power structures.
• 😀 The development of social sciences in Indonesia has been shaped by political contexts, particularly during the Cold War and the New Order era.
• 😀 During the New Order period, social science research focused on maintaining stability and suppressing dissent, aligning with authoritarian governance.
• 😀 The fall of the Berlin Wall and the rise of neoliberalism shifted the focus of social science research, promoting themes like civil society, good governance, and social capital.
• 😀 Post-Cold War social sciences in Indonesia were influenced by international organizations pushing neoliberal values, often sidelining critical perspectives.
• 😀 The neoliberal agenda promoted by the global elite often ignored the structural inequalities that were deepening within society, both globally and in Indonesia.
• 😀 The global financial crisis of 2008-2009 exposed the flaws of neoliberalism, leading to a resurgence of leftist movements critical of growing social inequality.
• 😀 In Indonesia, neoliberalism has intensified social inequality, with the rich getting richer while the poor remain marginalized, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 😀 Social scientists in Indonesia have largely been trained in technical methods that focus on efficiency and effectiveness, rather than fostering critical social analysis.
• 😀 There is a need for a new generation of social scientists in Indonesia to reclaim critical traditions of analysis, questioning the social and power structures that perpetuate inequality.
• 😀 The ongoing challenges in Indonesia's social structure, exacerbated by the pandemic, demand a more critical approach to understanding and addressing social justice and inequality.

Q & A

How has the development of social sciences in Indonesia been influenced by political power?

The development of social sciences in Indonesia has never been autonomous. It has been shaped by larger political and economic structures, both directly and indirectly. Social science institutions and the people involved in them are interconnected with broader power structures that affect their work.

What was the role of social science during Indonesia's New Order period?

During the New Order era, social science was used to support the regime's political agenda, focusing on stability and economic development. Social science researchers became more technical, using positivist methodologies and data collection techniques rather than engaging with critical or historical perspectives.

How did the fall of the Berlin Wall and the rise of neoliberalism impact social sciences globally?

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, neoliberalism gained prominence. Social sciences worldwide, including in Indonesia, began to focus more on themes like good governance, civil society, and social capital, aligning with global capitalist and market-driven ideologies.

What is the critique of the 'good governance' and 'civil society' frameworks in relation to social sciences?

The 'good governance' and 'civil society' frameworks, often promoted by international organizations, support neoliberal economic models. These frameworks tend to focus on technical fixes to governance issues rather than questioning the structural inequalities and systemic issues that neoliberalism perpetuates.

Why does the speaker criticize the technical approach to social science research in Indonesia?

The speaker criticizes the technical approach because it often overlooks critical analysis and imagination. Researchers become more like technicians, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness without questioning the underlying power structures or social inequities.

What role did the social sciences play in stabilizing Indonesia under the New Order regime?

Social sciences under the New Order regime were used to support stability and suppress opposition. The regime emphasized harmony and economic growth, often through the use of force, and social science research was directed toward understanding and maintaining this stability.

How did the economic growth under the New Order influence social science in Indonesia?

Economic growth during the New Order led to a focus on development that benefited the capitalist class, particularly those connected to the state. Social science research that questioned this growth or its consequences was marginalized, and methodologies aligned with positivism were favored.

What were the consequences of neoliberalism on social science research in Indonesia after the fall of Soeharto?

Following Soeharto's fall, neoliberal ideologies continued to shape social science research in Indonesia. Research focused on topics that supported the neoliberal agenda, such as good governance and civil society, but it often ignored the deeper structural inequalities and critiques of neoliberal capitalism.

What is the significance of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis in relation to social sciences?

The global financial crisis exposed the flaws in neoliberal economic models, leading to a resurgence of criticism. Movements emerged to challenge the inequalities produced by global capitalism, yet these critiques were not widely embraced or incorporated into mainstream social science research.

What does the speaker propose for the future of social sciences in Indonesia?

The speaker advocates for a return to critical social science traditions, including class analysis and Marxist perspectives. These approaches can help challenge the status quo and address the structural social inequalities that have been exacerbated by neoliberalism.