Separatism and State Cohesion in Eastern Indonesia

This dissertation makes four significant contributions to the field. The first is through a detailed case-study approach comparing three regions that have undergone serious separatist movements in the state of Indonesia as well as a 'negative case.' The second contribution is the differentiation between the causes of the emergence of separatism and the causes of the persistence of separatism. The third contribution this dissertation makes is toward a better understanding of the relationship between nationalism and separatism. Finally, when taken together, these three elements combine to challenge predominant theories of separatist conflict that emphasize one causal factor over others, including, for example, poverty, ethnicity or religion. It also raises doubts about the applicability of theories of anti-state violence in states that are beginning the consolidation process, or as they incorporate territory after the consolidation process has been long under way, as in the cases of West Papua and East Timor.