Abstract
Indonesia comprises some 230 million people split among 300 different ethnic groups, with 365 distinct languages or dialects spread across more than 13,000 islands. That might be a selling point to tourists but it is not a recipe for political stability. It’s not a country that you would ever design by choice. In fact, it’s highly questionable whether a country this diverse can ever be expected to function with any degree of efficiency and deliver reasonable security and livelihoods for its people. And if it can’t, is it reasonable to expect it to stay together? It’s a consideration that all investors and potential investors in Indonesia need to keep in mind.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Copyright information
© 2004 Michael Backman
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Backman, M. (2004). The End of Indonesia. In: The Asian Insider. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781403948403_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781403948403_9
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-51288-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4039-4840-3
eBook Packages: Palgrave Business & Management CollectionBusiness and Management (R0)