MENGAPA INDONESIA GAGAL MENJADI NEGARA INDUSTRI? | PODCAST HISTOMAT #6 (Bersama Muchtar Habibi)

Summary

This video discusses the challenges faced by Indonesia and other developing countries in industrializing under the global capitalist system. It highlights factors such as weak government control, limited external support, and the overwhelming influence of domestic capitalists. The speaker reflects on how only South Korea and Taiwan succeeded in industrializing after World War II, pointing out that the promises of global capitalism have largely failed to uplift developing nations. The video suggests reconsidering global systems, especially intellectual property laws and market access, to allow these countries to overcome their obstacles and thrive.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia's industrialization is hindered by limited government control over domestic capitalists, many of whom are also part of the political apparatus.
• 😀 The state faces challenges in coordinating industries to become competitive due to limited political power over the capitalist class.
• 😀 External factors, such as a lack of international aid and high levels of debt, further impede Indonesia's industrial development.
• 😀 Unlike Indonesia, countries like South Korea and Taiwan received significant international support for industrialization during the Cold War.
• 😀 Global capitalism has not lived up to its promise of widespread prosperity, with industrialization being successful only in a few countries like South Korea and Taiwan.
• 😀 Most developing countries, including Indonesia, struggle with issues like precarious jobs, high unemployment, and an over-reliance on natural resources.
• 😀 Developing nations are unable to achieve industrialization due to a lack of access to affordable technology, hindered by intellectual property protections.
• 😀 Intellectual property laws favor private ownership, making technology expensive for developing countries, which further stifles their ability to industrialize.
• 😀 There are significant barriers to market access for developing countries, preventing them from competing with developed capitalist nations.
• 😀 The speaker suggests that intellectual property should be made public to allow developing countries easier access to technology, which could foster industrialization.
• 😀 The current global capitalist system makes it very difficult for peripheral nations like Indonesia to industrialize, urging a need for an alternative global order that can support equitable economic growth.

Q & A

What are the internal factors that hinder Indonesia's industrialization, according to the speaker?

The internal factors include the limited control the government has over domestic capitalists. Many state apparatus are part of the capitalist class themselves, making it difficult for the government to enforce policies that promote industrialization.

Why is it difficult for the Indonesian government to coordinate and push for industrial competitiveness?

The government struggles to enforce industrial competitiveness because many of the state officials are also part of the capitalist class, creating a conflict of interest. This makes it impossible for the government to effectively control or push for industrialization.

How did the external factor of international aid influence Indonesia's industrialization compared to South Korea?

Unlike South Korea, which received significant international aid during the Cold War, Indonesia did not benefit from such assistance. This lack of aid, combined with a heavy debt burden, meant that Indonesia could not allocate sufficient resources to industrialize.

What role did the Cold War geopolitics play in Indonesia's industrialization challenges?

Geopolitics during the Cold War played a major role by limiting Indonesia's access to international aid and support, unlike countries like South Korea, which received substantial aid for industrialization due to their strategic importance in the Cold War.

How does global capitalism impact developing countries' ability to industrialize, according to the speaker?

Global capitalism has failed to fulfill its promise of widespread prosperity, with only a few countries like South Korea and Taiwan successfully industrializing. Most developing countries, including Indonesia, remain unable to complete their industrialization, often relying on natural resources and facing issues such as vulnerable labor markets and unemployment.

What suggestion does the speaker make regarding intellectual property to help developing countries industrialize?

The speaker suggests that intellectual property, which is currently held privately, should be made public. This would allow all countries, especially developing nations, to access and use technology at affordable rates, which is crucial for industrialization.

What challenges do developing countries face when trying to access global markets, according to the speaker?

Developing countries face significant barriers when trying to access global markets, including strict safety and quality standards set by advanced capitalist countries. This is further complicated by the high costs of technology and intellectual property rights, preventing them from meeting the necessary standards.

How does the current global capitalist order affect the ability of peripheral countries like Indonesia to industrialize?

The current global capitalist system makes it difficult for peripheral countries like Indonesia to industrialize. This system limits access to technology, imposes barriers to market entry, and keeps these countries dependent on natural resources rather than developing manufacturing sectors.

What critique does the speaker offer regarding the global capitalist system's promises of prosperity?

The speaker critiques the global capitalist system for failing to deliver on its promises of prosperity for all. Instead, it has only enriched a small segment of the global population, leaving most developing countries unable to industrialize and trapped in poverty or reliance on raw materials.

What does the speaker propose as an alternative approach to the current global economic order?

The speaker proposes a new global order that facilitates technology transfer and eliminates barriers to access, such as intellectual property restrictions, so that developing countries can use technology to advance their industries and break free from dependency on natural resources.