Understanding the Domestic Determinants of Indonesia's Hedging Policy towards the United States and China

• Published in: Contemporary Southeast Asia Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 19 - 42
• Main Author: PRIAMARIZKI, ADHI
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute 01-04-2024; ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute; Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS)
• Subjects: Australia; Case studies; China; Communism; Foreign policy; Indonesia; Japan; Netherlands; Political aspects; Southeast Asia; Widodo, Joko; Southeast Asia; Netherlands; Australia; Japan; China; Indonesia
• ISSN: 0129-797X; 1793-284X
• DOI: 10.1355/cs46-1b

Using Indonesia as a case study, this article aims to contribute to the existing literature on why weaker states engage in hedging by examining how Indonesia's domestic factors influence its foreign policy decisions regarding the United States and China. The article argues that domestic and foreign policies are interconnected as domestic agendas, including the interests and aspirations of Indonesian politicians as well as public opinion, have led to variations in the country's hedging behaviours towards the two great powers. On one hand, domestic political and economic considerations drive Indonesia to engage with the United States and China. On the other hand, the same factors can also act as hindrances that limit Indonesia's engagement with these powers. Consequently, despite having strong defence ties with the United States, Indonesia now sees China as a major and essential economic partner that helps the country and its leaders achieve their development goals.