Ethnic-Based Diplomacy Studies Based on the Historical Experience of Indonesian Independence
Haiyyu Darman Moenir (a*), Anita Afriani Sinulingga (b), Abdul Halim (c)

a) Universitas Andalas
*haiyyu_darman[at]soc.unand.ac.id
b) Universitas Andalas
c) Universitas Sriwijaya

Abstract

This research will analyze Ethnic-Based Diplomacy Studies based on the Historical Experience of Indonesian Independence. This research is based on a long-term study related to the history of the struggle of Indonesian diplomats who tried to achieve Indonesian sovereignty during independence. In the early days of independence, recognition of sovereignty was very difficult to achieve. At that time, apart from war, to gain recognition of Indonesia^s sovereignty was carried out with the politics of diplomacy. In the context of diplomacy, apart from Javanese ethnicity, Minangkabau ethnicity is considered to have an important role in the context of the Indonesian struggle. In addition, Minangkabau was also recorded in history as one of the ethnic groups in the Indonesian Youth Organization in 1928 which eventually became the pioneer of Indonesian independence. The prowess of these diplomats can be considered as the strength of cultural diplomacy possessed by Indonesia, where their ability to dialogue and negotiate carried out by Minangkabau diplomats is part of the teachings taught in Minangkabau culture. This study will analyze the contribution of Minangkabau diplomats during the era of Indonesian independence. In the context of diplomacy, the Minangkabau people^s ability in diplomacy has an extraordinary track record, this is evidenced by the many diplomats from Minangkabau who succeeded in assisting Indonesia in fighting for Indonesian sovereignty during independence, such as Mohammad Hatta (1902), Sutan Sjahrir (1909), Muhammad Natsir ( 1908), H. Agus Salim (1884). Referring to the understanding of diplomacy presented by Wilfried Bolewski (2008) in a paper entitled ^Diplomatic Processes and Cultural Variations: Cultural Relevance in Diplomacy^, this study seeks to explain how culture influences the diplomatic process carried out by several countries, including in Indonesia. It is explained that there are at least six components in diplomacy that need to be considered.

Keywords: Ethnicity, Diplomacy, Minangkabau, Independence, Indonesia

Topic: Humanities