Electrifying Indonesia: Technology and Social Justice in National Development

Electrifying Indonesia explores the relationship between politics and technology in the country's rapid post-World War II development, driven by nationalistic impulses and social justice interests. Anto Mohsin's book combines Indonesian studies with science and technology studies to understand how electrification transformed daily life and legitimated ruling regimes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2023
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press

Electrifying Indonesia delves into the intricate interplay between politics and technology during Indonesia's rapid post-World War II development. As a central component of its nation-building project, the Indonesian state aimed to provide electricity to its entire population, delivering significant socioeconomic advantages across its diverse territories and communities. While driven by nationalistic impulses, this initiative also held genuine interest in social justice. The convergence of these two ideologies—nation-building and equity—shaped the implementation of electrification, including the selection of technologies employed by the state. Private companies and electric cooperatives competed with the dominant state power company to participate in a monumental endeavor that would revolutionize the daily lives of Indonesians, particularly those in rural areas.

In this groundbreaking volume, Anto Mohsin brings together Indonesian studies and science and technology studies to explore a pivotal period in modern Indonesian history. He demonstrates that efforts to illuminate the country were inseparable from the endeavor to establish, navigate, and legitimize ruling regimes. In exchange for often substantial improvements in their standard of living, individuals exercised their voting rights and consent to the ruling government.

Electrifying Indonesia sheds light on the complex dynamics that shaped Indonesia's development trajectory during this transformative era. It underscores the profound impact of technological advancements on society, as well as the political and social factors that influenced their adoption and implementation. By examining the interplay between politics, technology, and social change, this book provides valuable insights into the complex processes that have shaped Indonesia's contemporary history.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780299345402