I have stated since the beginning that this article is more about arguments rather than a finding. What I will put here is hypothetical rather than a certain fact. Besides, the prosperity issue is always a complex concept, and people hardly find a single reason why Indonesia still fails to help its people live prosperously. In this article, one of the hypotheses is the over-promised myth.
What is it?
The overpromised myth is also one of the subjects of my proposed research, which is awaiting formulation, timelines, and, of course, budget (unsurprisingly). All in all, the main argument is that the people of Indonesia have the wrong mindset about getting independence or, to extend further, democracy. Accordingly, based on several studies, especially in the field of political history, people who have sought independence, such as those in Vietnam, expect to gain freedom and justice. They do not think that simply gaining independence will automatically lead to a better quality of life. They only thought that now they have a better chance for a better life. Yet, never in their mind that independence means life luxuriously.
Something different happened in Indonesia, where people think that gaining independence means life will change automatically. The government will fund their basic living expenses, and most basic needs will be fulfilled. One of my friends pointed out that possibility from the national anthem. He stated that most national anthems are about wars; people choose to die rather than lose their freedom. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s national anthem emphasises how rich the country is and how, if it gains independence, all the natural resources that were stolen will be returned to them.
History has shown that it is an overpromised myth, and people have become more realistic about their dreams. Yet the gap is not actually wider; people are secretly hoping that independence, which later translates into general elections, will work magically. It is never the case since, from election to election, it is almost identical. A new hope will suddenly show its true face, giving us a bitter reality before we find another new hope. Sounds ironic, I guess? Yet this is what people enjoy about daydreaming.
How do I do the Research
My focus on this research will be on how people in certain areas look forward to their political participation. Do they really think in a way that I think that they are actually getting trapped in an over-promised myth? Or have they actually become realistic, and is their political participation fuelled by their relentless passion for a certain ideology?
One of the key points is that one of my friends has shown scepticism about the possibility of people actually participating in politics because they have a robust connection to the ideology. He saw that no political party has a strong ideological base. They are more into personal or the group’s interests, and it is very hard to see how they can become more ideological than ever.
For now, the overpromised myth remains a hypothesis. Yet, I will keep you updated on how the research will be conducted and, surely, where it will be published.
