Basis of development<\/p>\n
The polemics in the discourse on democracy and its
\nramifications, as published in the mass media (Kompas, Oct. 7,
\nOct. 8 and Oct. 10), surely give food for thought as to why
\nIndonesia, 50 years after its entry into the United Nations,
\npersists -- oddly enough -- in being plagued by a myriad of
\nfundamental issues aside from conceptual interpretations of
\ndemocracy, including nationalism, rampant graft, frivolous law
\nenforcement, low quality of education, high rate of unemployment
\nand poverty, while other nations that entered the UN after
\nIndonesia (such as Malaysia, and even Japan and South Korea) are
\nalready basking in the light of their respective countries'
\nprosperity.<\/p>\n
Keeping in mind the economic development of China, it is too
\nfar-fetched to cite the case of that country as reference, as it
\nhas reached the lofty status of an economic giant by now and as
\nsuch, will sooner or later aim for membership in the G-8 -- the
\nexclusive club of the world's richest nations.<\/p>\n
There is one striking goal, as far as economic reform is
\nconcerned, that China has maintained conspicuously over the past
\n20 years (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 15). During these two decades,
\n11 years was devoted to technological development toward its
\nmanned space program, which resulted in the successful launch of
\nthe Shenzhov V on Oct. 15. Thus, China could take pride in
\nbecoming the third country to send a man into space (Post, Sept.
\n15, Oct. 16 and Oct. 18).<\/p>\n
Now, if China was notorious for corruption, particularly in
\nthe 1980s, but now, in entering the first few years of the third
\nmillennium, has succeeded in becoming an economic giant, this
\nmeans that country has successfully combated and wiped out the
\nperilous evil of corruption.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, South Korea has also turned into an economic power
\nhouse. In light of the above reference to the successful
\nachievements made by China and South Korea, followed by Thailand
\nand Malaysia, now the question arises in retrospect -- why does
\nIndonesia lag so far behind?<\/p>\n
It is upon the strength of a nation's economy that countries
\nbuild, not via a delusive reliance on the rhetoric of ideological
\nassumptions.<\/p>\n
China's lesson teaches us that it is the force of pragmatism,
\nnot abstract speculations, that helps spur the nation to thrive
\nin its development.<\/p>\n
S. SUHAEDI
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/basis-of-development-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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