This article examines the engagement of Indonesian youth with the fields of politics and religion in Indonesia. Data collected through focus group interviews with young Indonesians from the three major religions sheds light on a number of contemporary issues to do with rapid global transformations. The comments of the young people on political change could not be readily separated from religious issues. Every time they were asked about religion they talked about politics and the reverse was also true. Themes of religious chauvinism dominated, along with what seemed to be a rather naïve view of politics. Expressions of anti-Western feeling also colored the interviews. This data takes on a particular significance and poignancy in the light of revelations post-October 12, 2002 (the Bali bombing) regarding Islamic fundamentalist terrorist activities in Indonesia. The data imply the cultural, political and economic conditions in which such activities can take place.
Indonesia - Terrorism - Islam - Religion
Dr Pam Nilan is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. She is currently the Associate Director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies. She has conducted research on young people and social change in Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam and is currently working on a book on global youth cultures.
Author Name (Year), “Title”, in: The International Scope Review, Volume Number, Issue Number, TSCF Editions, Brussels.
This article is based on a conference paper presented at the 2002 conference of the Asia-Pacific Sociological Association in Brisbane, Australia ("Asia-Pacific Societies: Contrasts, Challenges, and Crises").
All work published in The International Scope Review is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any manner or in any medium – unless written consent is given by The Social Capital Foundation represented by its President, unless the author’s name and the one of The International Scope Review as the first publication medium appear on the work or the excerpt, and unless no charge is made for the copy containing the work or excerpt.
Any demands for obtaining consent for reproduction should be sent to sg@socialcapital.is
 |
This is a PDF document.You may need Acrobat Plugin to view it. |