Cultural Analysis: Indonesia - Case Study Example

INDONESIA A Legal system Organization of the judiciary system The legal system of Indonesia is based on democratic and common-law concepts, familiar to residents of the UK and US. The system culminates in the Supreme Court, or Mahkamah Agung, which “is the final court of appeal but does not have the power of judicial review (justices are appointed by the president from a list of candidates selected by the legislature)” (Indonesia, 2009). Recently, the Mahkamah Agung assumed responsibility for the lower courts. The Constitutional Court has the power of judicial review. 2. Code, common, socialist, or Islamic-law country? Indonesia is a common law country. 3. Participation in patents, trademarks, and other conventions (writing guide) Among other conventions, Indonesia is a member of ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, and MIGA (Indonesia, 2009). 4. Marketing Laws (writing guide) Indonesia operates on a modified free-market economy, with limited censorship. B. Social Organization 1. Group Behavior Immigration is relatively low, with Indonesia ranking over 100th in the world in terms of migrants per thousands of population. Urbanization is at around 50%, with 3% sustained growth. “Foreign traders, immigrants, cultural ideas, and technologies have given Indonesia great internal diversity. Indonesia, formerly part of the Netherlands East Indies, proclaimed its independence on August 17, 1945, after more than 300 years of Dutch control” (Country, 2009). 2. Social Classes There is a relatively large gap between the upper and lower classes in Indonesia, with the middle class being relatively nascent. 3. Clubs, other organizations There are various clubs and organizations which are arranged around lines of interest, for various enthusiasts in Indonesia, with limited government control. 4. Race, ethnicity, and subcultures In terms of race and ethnic groups, the country is made up of “Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9%” (Indonesia, 2009), according to the most recent census. C. Business customs and practices (writing guide) Business customs and practices in Indonesia reflect high rates of internal diversity. Generally, they can be seen as a mix of Eastern and Western practices. Punctuality is highly valued. D. Religion and aesthetics (writing guide) Indonesia is primarily Muslim. Aesthetics therefore, tend to reflect this in mostly architecture, and the relative suppression of other forms of visual art, considered sacrilegious in Islam. 1. Religion and other beliefs systems Internally, the country is very religiously diverse, being made up of “Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4%” (Indonesia, 2009), in the most recent census. 1.1. Orthodox or Islam doctrines and structures Because of the high Muslim population, Orthodox Islam doctrines are in effect in the country; most, however, are moderates. 1.2. Relationship with the people The government has a fairly close relationship with the people in any authentic democracy, which Indonesia appears to be. 1.3. Which religions are prominent? As mentioned above, Islam is the dominant religion. “Examples of cultural fusion include the fusion of Islam with Hindu in Javanese Abangan belief, the fusion of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism in Bodha, and the fusion of Hinduism and animism in Kaharingan; others could be cited” (Culture, 2009) 1.4. Membership of each religion As mentioned above, the country is very religiously diverse, being made up of “Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4%” (Indonesia, 2009). 1.5. Any powerful or influential cults? There is limited information about cults being influential in Indonesian society and government. 2. Aesthetics Generally, due to the reflection of Islamic beliefs about representational art, aesthetics tend to emphasize the pattern rather than the depiction, and there is more focus on architecture than on visual art. 2.1. Art Sculpture is a major form of art in Indonesia. “Most notable are the hundreds of meters of relief sculpture at the temple of Borobodur in central Java. Approximately two miles of exquisite relief sculpture tell the story of the life of Buddha and illustrate his teachings. The temple was originally home to 504 statues” (Culture, 2009). As mentioned, visual art is downplayed. 2.2. Music The traditional music of many parts of Indonesia is the gamelan. There is a lot of effort to keep native music integral, and to fight corrputive influences in music. For example, “In 1966, a law was passed (Panpres 11/1965) banning Western-style pop or rock music. On June 29, 1965, Koes Plus, a leading Indonesian pop group in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, was imprisoned” (Indonesia, 1996). Today, attitudes tend to be more moderate. 2.3. Traditional dance and performances There are various traditional dances depicting episodes from Hindu scripture. Court dances are highly promoted. 2.4. Folklore and relevant symbols Some areas of Indonesia are more remote, and therefore folk culture has been well preserved. This includes folklore from Mentawai, Asmat, Dani, Dayak, and Toraja groups, “and many others are still practising their ethnic rituals, customs and wearing traditional clothes” (Indonesia, 2009). E. Living conditions Indonesia is considered a developed, or first-world nation. However, this is not to say that living conditions vary greatly internally. 1. Diet and nutrition Indonesian food has a lot of variety. Different regions have different customs. “In West Java - where Sundanese live most - they like to eat fresh vegetables and sambal” (Authentic, 2009). 1.1. Meat and vegetables Meat centers on fish, and vegetables are locally grown or imported. 1.2. Typical meals A typical meal consists of fish and vegetables, served with traditional drinks. Individual tastes tend to vary greatly. 1.3. Malnutrition rates Malnutrition rates are low, at under 2% (Indonesia, 2009). 1.4. Foods available Foods grown or raised in the country include chicken and fowl, fish, and fruits and vegetables. 2. Recreation, sports, and other leisure activities Surfing remains very popular in Indonesia. Betting on horse races is another popular leisure activity. 2.1. Types available and in demand Types of activity are as varied as individuals, and defy categorization. 2.2. Percentage of income spent on such activities The average Indonesian spends under 5% of their annual income on these activities (Indonesia, 2009). 3. Social security Indonesia does have a Social Security system, but many argue it is in need of reform. 4. Health care Healthcare was revamped following the 2006 tsunami. The life expectancy is relative to other developed nations, at around seventy years. “Midwives form an integral part of the health care system in Indonesia. In fact 80 to 90 % of maternal and newborn care was instituted by midwives, both in the private and public arena” (Indonesia, 2006). F. Language and minority groups As mentioned, interior and hard to access regions have preserved native culture, language, and practice, among the Mentawai, Asmat, Dani, Dayak, and Toraja peoples (Indonesia, 2009). REFERENCE Arts Indonesia (2009). http://www.artsindonesia.com/ Authentic Indonesian recipes (2009). http://www.indonesianfoodonline.com/ Country profile—Indonesia (2009). http://www.brunet.bn/org/bimpeabc/IDprofl.htm Culture—Indonesia (2009). http://www.mapsofworld.com/indonesia/tourism/culture.html Making Indonesian Social Security work (2008). http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/08/18/covering-uncovered-making- indonesian-social-security-work.html Indonesia (2009). https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/maps/maptemplate_ID.html Indonesian cuisine (2009). http://www.wikpedia.org Indonesia (1996). Encyclopedia Britannica. New York: Britannica. Indonesia recreation and sports (2009). http://jawabali.com/sports/ Indonesian healthcare rebuilt after tsunami (2006). http://www.medindia.net/news/view_news_main.asp?x=6724 Read More