Discourse of Indonesia Smart Power

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Therefore the smart power use to achieve world maritime axis is very possible due to the plenty resources of both powers we have. However, Pallever argues that Smart power is first and foremost about institutions. They are essential in reshaping the way power is exercised and perceived. It requires making an effort at reforming the institutional framework, which is basically the channel through which power is spread into the public sphere (ibid). In this point, Indonesia Government need to create the new institution to handle the international issues which either threaten or benefit to Indonesia. This is very important in order to prevent the dissents among ministries in Indonesia which could be ideologically driven by the soft power or hard power. Pallever argues that smart power is non-ideological which focuses more on the context and the issues that need to be addressed. This new institution will be the bridge and combiner amongst the Ministry of Maritime, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Defense to achieve one single perspective-smart power perspective- to overcome the challenges and threats.

Secondly, Pallaver also add that Smart power is impossible to exercise alone, it requires partners and allies. It needs to be shared as an essential ingredient for a winning smart power strategy. Therefore, in order to achieve better partnership and allies, Indonesia need to upgrade the port infrastructures within the Indonesian archipelago. This is very important because it make the connectivity easier for economic transaction and logistics matters between countries to pass through the sea. This is in accordant to the ASEAN policy to achieve inter-island connectivity through its plans of developing a “nautical highway system” or proposed “ring shipping route” in maritime Southeast Asia as a part of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (ASEAN, 2003). While create the comfortable ports and harbors, it should be followed with the corporation between countries by strengthening the maritime security and prevent the illegal activities. This has been proofed by Indonesia’s commitment to partner up with japan to enhance the maritime security capabilities (Ikeda, 2016). With all the prominent allies and partnership, I believe that smart power use will be very effective in order to achieve the global maritime axis in Indonesia.

Last but not least, Pallever finnaly argues that smart power seeks leaders and leadership. It cannot implemented without political will and without “extraordinary” people. In this sense it very related to the other forms of power that have a variety political interpreters and supporters. Now we know that President Jokowi with his commitment to create the global maritime axis are very well supported in Indonesia and also with the other ASEAN countries vision. He asserts that revitalizing the maritime culture for Indonesian people is very important to achieve the goal. Thus we can take a conclusion that smart power indeed is going to be very effective with all the components that supported the goal in one vision.

In the conclusion, the Smart Power use that has been emerge in this century proofed to be very effective to counter national problem by picking the right tools of the combination from Soft Power and Hard Power. Indonesia with its ambition to achieve Global Maritime Axis indeed need to use the smart power approach for the sake of national interest as well as promoting the global peace. The resources we have on both power forms are well enough to use the Smart power. However, Smart power can only be maximize with the strong partnership and allies, Clear Institutional Framework and Extraordinary political will by the leaders. I believe that Smart Power is very possible to use as the right method to accelerating Global Maritime Axis and Increase Power over political and economic matters.

Bibliography

Pallaver, Matteo 2011, ‘Power and its form: Hard, Soft, Smart’, PhD Thesis, The London School of Economics and Political Science.

Magner, Jan Phillip 2014. ‘The Effectiveness of Smart & Hard Power in Contemporary International Relations’, BA Thesis, University of Dundee.

Landler, Mark. February 2009. Available from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/washington/19diplo.html [January 6th, 2017]

MiliterHankam.com. Indonesia Akan Bangun Kekuatan Maritim. May 2015. Available from :(http://www.militerhankam.com/2015/05/indonesia-akan-bangun-kekuatan-maritim.html) [January 6th, 2017]

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Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, (Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat, 2013), p. 40

Ikeda, Keita. Japan and Indonesia to Set Up Maritime Forum. December 2016. Available from: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/20/japan-indonesia-to-set-up-maritime-forum.html [January 6th, 2017]

Indonesia Sebagai Poros Maritim Dunia.November 2014. Available from:http://presidenri.go.id/maritim/indonesia-sebagai-poros-maritim-dunia.html [January 6th, 2017]