Paradiplomacy as the product of state transformation in the era of globalisation: the case of Indonesia

Abstract

The study of international affairs has found itself increasingly intermingled with local contexts. This condition has led us to a more decentralised approach toward international relations, where more attention is given to the role of subnational units such as city and province. Numerous studies with systemic-level analyses have been dedicated to examining globalisation as a structure and its impact on the emergence of subnational governments in foreign activities, which can also be understood as paradiplomacy. However, there has been limited state-level analysis of how paradiplomacy relates to the evolving state role in the contemporary era. This paper attempts to fill the gap by drawing the experience of Indonesia, a unitary state and an emerging democracy, in reshaping its institutional structures to pave ways for its local governments in conducting paradiplomacy. This exploratory study uses library study to primarily explore official documents on Indonesian regional autonomy, mainly related to international cooperation. This paper asserts that the rise of paradiplomacy in Indonesia is driven by the domestication of global issues, decentralisation of power, and fragmentation of the formerly powerful central agency.

Jakarta Sebagai Aktor Paradiplomasi Hijau Pada Masa Pemerintahan Anies Baswedan

“…Di Indonesia, desentralisasi telah memungkinkan pemerintah daerah mengambil fungsi dalam menjalin hubungan internasional, maka terminologi paradiplomasi bukan suatu istilah yang benarbenar asing di Indonesia. Adapun paradiplomasi di Indonesia didorong oleh adanya domestikasi isu-isu global, desentralisasi kekuasaan, dan adanya fragmentasi lembaga pusat yang kuat [18]. Merujuk pada poin pertama faktor pendorong paradiplomasi Indonesia, yaitu domestikasi isu global, tidak mengherankan jika perubahan iklim juga mendasari terjadinya paradiplomasi hijau di Indonesia.…”

City Leadership in Para-Diplomacy: Drivers of Jakarta’s International Engagement in Addressing Covid-19 Pandemic

“…The changing situation has allowed the regional governments to create innovative policies to develop their regions, one of which is through cooperation with international entities compliant with the local government acts and technical guidance prescribed by the ministries. In other words, the Indonesian para-diplomacy is the product of state transformation comprising the decentralization of power and the fragmentation of formerly powerful central agency (Utomo, 2022).…”

Exploring Paradiplomacy Pathways: Local Government and Foreign Direct Investment Corporation Partnerships for Sustainable Development

“…The prescribed legal provisions afford an occasion for government actors at the local level to revise their obligations and responsibilities, restructure policies, and establish robust networks to achieve sustainable development. The adaptability of the regional government in executing governance is closely linked with flexible internationalisation practises (Utomo, 2022). The duo has devised multiple tools and methodologies to establish and enhance networks and collaborative frameworks that are both efficacious and impactful in promoting regional development (Utomo, 2020).…”