Indonesia has tried them all, practically every political reality. absolute kingship, extreme cultural conservatism, outlandish noisy political radicalism, noble revolution, Stalinist mass political butchering, parliamentary democracy, civil war, total anarchy, a hero against international aggression, and now generals with modern weaponry. You can't talk about any of Indonesia's beliefs, practices, ideals or institutions as being modern or old-fashioned because at the same time it is a progressive and a backward state - believing in myths, false messiahs, Marxist prophecy, solid traditional custom, archaic magic, chilling rationality. In modern times the concept of Panca Sila (Five Principlesl has become the foundation of civilized rule.

These principles include: Nationalism, Humanitarianism, Democracy, Social Justice, and the Belief in God - a super-condensed constitution. Each regime tends to interpret each of these concepts in a way that will further their political goals. The old joke about Indonesian politics is 'If you understand the situation, you're obviously badly informed.' Indonesia is easily the most broken up country in the world and by its sheer expanse awesomely difficult to govern. There have been revolts in one part of Indonesia or the other for the past 25 years (presently in West Kalimantan). To bring all the diverse peoples of this sprawling island nation together within the political and geographic entity called 'Indonesia' is still the greatest single problem facing its leaders. The 4060,000 political prisoners only shows how much is below the surface and how deep this country's social disunity and differences are. On the state crest are the old Sanskrit words Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, We are many but we are one'. This line is played hard. One way the government chooses to spread national consciousness is through their fitness program senam pagi (morning exercise), practiced even in the most remote hill villages. The Indonesian language is another great unifying force.

There is definitely a shared feeling of being an Indonesian, a pride in things characteristically Indonesian (Indonesianasi), and in their vast and beautiful native land. The gigantic conservatism of the masses - and the army - keeps the government in power. According to the 1945 Constitution, elections for the two highest legislative bodies, Parliament and the Peoples' Representative Coun oil, are to take place every 5 years. But since 1945, general elections for these offices have been held only 3 times. Suharto was voted into his third term in May, 1977 (until 1983) and younger army officers are now being prepared for leadership. In the international politics game Indonesia is perhaps the only country in S.E. Asia with the potential of a major world power. The cannons and troops of its army coerced Portugese Timor land its oil) into joining the Republic, neglecting to extend to that small state the right of self-government which Indonesia itself had fought so hard for 30 years previously. The country is changing fast, its isolation fast becoming a myth. The trans-Indonesian telecommunications system, completed in 1977, is putting Indonesia in even closer touch with the world and with itself.