Guided Democracy is a political system that was implemented in Indonesia under President Sukarno in the 1950s and 1960s. This concept was proposed as a way to create a stable government that would promote national unity and development, while also accommodating the diverse interests of Indonesia's many ethnic groups and political factions. Sukarno's guided democracy aimed to balance the influences of various groups, including the military, political parties, and the general populace, while maintaining centralized control to prevent the fragmentation that he believed plagued Western-style democracies.
Sukarno believed that Indonesia was not suited to Western-style democracy for several reasons:
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Cultural Differences: Sukarno argued that Western democratic systems were based on individualism and competition, which contrasted sharply with Indonesian values emphasizing communalism and harmony. He felt that Indonesia's diverse population and cultural heritage required a more collectivist approach to governance.
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Historical Context: Sukarno pointed out that Indonesia had only recently gained independence from colonial rule, and that the country was still in a formative stage politically and socially. He believed that the traditional political systems of the West were not appropriate for a nation still grappling with its identity and unification.
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Political Fragmentation: Sukarno observed that Western-style democracy could lead to fragmentation and conflict among various political groups, which was evident in the multiparty system that led to instability in Indonesia during the early years post-independence. He believed that a guided approach could help to mitigate such divisions by providing leadership and direction while allowing for some degree of political participation.
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Development Priorities: Sukarno emphasized the need for national development and modernization, arguing that a strong, centralized authority could better mobilize resources and efforts toward these goals, rather than getting bogged down in political disputes typical of a democratic system with multiple competing parties.
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Anti-Colonial Sentiment: Given Indonesia's colonial past, Sukarno was cautious about adopting Western models that he feared could perpetuate neocolonial influences, particularly in terms of political and economic dependency on Western nations.
In summary, Sukarno's vision of guided democracy was intended to create a system that was more suited to Indonesia's unique context, prioritizing national unity and development over the pluralism and individualism often associated with Western democratic models.