Dated March 5, 2009 an even 100 years Sutan Sjahrir. "Little Man", so nicknamed Sjahrir, listed as a central figure in Indonesia's struggle for independence, especially in politics and diplomacy.
Known intelligent, Sjahrir at age 19 years took part in the Youth Oath October 28, 1928. At the age of 36 years Sjahrir elected Prime Minister I RI.
Skilled at the negotiation table, Sjahrir founded the Socialist People's Party, and renamed the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI). In the 1955 elections, the PSI failed to reap significant votes. PSI was dissolved five years later President Sukarno.
In 1963, the Sutan Sjahrir gazetted as a political prisoner to death in Switzerland in the treatment period. Dissolution of the PSI and the validity period of authoritarian Masyumi mark. Until the end of the New Order regime, the discourse of ideology associated with a nation that manifested in the structure of political economy, cultural systems, and values should ideally practical standstill.
Indonesian Socialism
In discussing the ideal social and political orders, often comes the desire to find a middle way between capitalism and socialism. Sjahrir is one of the pioneering search for that road, as stated in the concept of Indonesian Socialism. The question is, is it possible there was a "middle way Indonesian version"? Is it possible to unite the two isms are like oil and water?
More concrete question is, Should Indonesian Socialism? Necessary. The reason, so that the positive aspects of socialism as a set of sharp social analysis in describing the order of justice can be combined with a democratic political order which became the requirements of the functioning of a market economy in the context of Indonesia.
In modern capitalist countries which apply advanced political democracy. However, is not the case with economic democracy. The achievement of political democracy has historically been very important, but it is less complete. He is merely a passive representative democracy, in which most people choose another person to act for them. Also remain concentrated economic power and economic democracy are still waiting for a better future.
Meanwhile, the experiment of socialism (communism exact), East Block has failed. The absence of political democracy resulted in a political crisis led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc. Absence of political democracy to economic communist countries at that time, packaged in the context of full employment and imposed centralized planning, resulting in stagnation and economic inefficiency and a lack of work discipline.
Dissatisfaction with the two isms that trigger an alternative search. In theory, allowing a variety of flow of socialism. -Democratic socialism is a form of socialism is to find land developed in some industrial countries like Germany and Sweden. In addition, we have heard various genres of socialism, as a non-Marxist socialism, socialism-movement-science, and socialism-utopian.
Socialism Sjahrir
In the annals of Indonesia, there are four political parties that never bears the name "socialist" as the name and official ideology of the party, namely the Socialist Party headed by Amir Syarifuddin, Socialist People's Party (Paras) who founded and chaired Sutan Sjahrir. Then there was the Socialist Party which represents the fusion of the two parties. This is the party that controlled the Cabinet since November 1945 until mid-1947 RI, when a rift occurred between the group and Amir Sjarifuddin Sjahrir. Sjahrir then form a new party, the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI), in early 1948, lasted until 1960, when Sukarno dissolved.
In the history of the independence movement, we know the leaders, including Sukarno and Hatta, who believes building a community and this country on socialist principles. However, among the characters, perhaps only the most assertive and Sjahrir real in faith and struggle. He not only founded a political party (PSI) to create belief, but previously have considered in depth understanding of what socialism is best suited for Indonesia.
Sjahrir firmly distinguish who want to understand socialism in Indonesia fought for socialism in the West European communism and socialism offered. Struggle over ideas of socialism in Western Europe and concern about totalitarian communism led to his thoughts on socialism are appropriate for Indonesia, namely-populist socialism.
For Sjahrir, word populist was an appreciation and affirmation that socialism as he understood forever uphold basic human equality.
The historical record is known, the ideals of democratic socialism-Sjahrir did not successfully realized. However, this failure may not be solely because Sjahrir shifted from politics or because the PSI was dissolved. Socialism, whatever it is, just understand, an ideal that is still in the conception rate. To realize these ideals, he must be made operational and must be supported by a set of institutions and specific mechanisms. It was not easy. Without it, she will stop at the moral or ethical appeal, but did not bring change anything.
Adopted from Ivan Hadar, Deputy Chief Editor of Journal Social Democratic
Source: www.kompas.com
