Merdeka Papua : integration, independence, or something else?

Date
2008
Authors
Stiefvater, James
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
In an attempt to bring discussions about West Papua back to the fore this thesis first argues that self-determination has never been realized in West Papua, thus making the United Nations' attempt at ending colonialism there an abject failure. To do so I recount the history of the half-island and the means by which it was colonized by the Dutch and then re-colonized by the Indonesian state. I then argue that in order for the fullest measure of self-determination to occur indigenous peoples must be allowed to choose any option for their future, be it integration, independence, or some other status including the possible formation of non-state entities or the complete withdrawal from the global system. In doing so I recount the forced integration of West Papua into the unitary Republic ofindonesia and then look forward to ways that self-determination and indigenous demands for merdeka might be satisfied, not all of which concur with presupposed modes of decolonization. This challenge of Western assumptions and regulations regarding decolonization is important as West Papua is a prime example where simply removing the colonizer and establishing a new state will not necessarily satisfy indigenous demands for independence.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2008.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-167).
viii, 167 leaves, bound 29 cm
Keywords
Melanesia - Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea--History--Autonomy and Independence movement.
Citation
Extent
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Theses for the degree of Master of Arts (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Pacific Islands Studies; no. 3530
Table of Contents
Rights
All UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.