Hubungan Perdagangan Indonesia - Australia

Abstract

This research focuses on Robert Gilpin's concept. It states that, politic and economic are a unity which can not detach one from another. Therefore, political conflicts between two states will influence the economical relation.  This research analyses how far the implication of political conflict toward economic relation by observing trade relation between Indonesia and Australia, especially on trade of goods. As we know, Australia gives a great contribution on the separation of East Timor which impact on the strained political relations between Indonesia - Australia. Furthermore, this strained political relation indicates the lowest rate in the history of these two country bilateral relationship. Several incidents emphasize this fact:many demonstration which shows the people's hatred from these two countries, the destruction of the embassy building of the two countries, the destruction of Australian Consulate's car, the flag burning, the cancelation of the agreement by Indonesia and the rise of anti Indonesia and anti Australia feeling. Using qualitative method and analysis, the result of this research shows that political conflicts have no significant influence on economy especially trade relation between Indonesia and Australia, which is determined by the rising volume and value of export and import in 2000. This condition due to: (1) The exist criticism emerges only on the top level or the state elite and related association, so conflict does not spread to the low level. (2) The boycott action is only taken by Australian Council Trade Union/ACTU and Maritime Union of Australian/MUA in a very short time from September 8-22, 1999. (3) There is a quick efforts to restore bilateral relation. (4) There is a reciprocal interest between Indonesia and Australia. From the result, it can be concluded that Robert Gilpin's concept can not be applied in the Indonesia-Australia relations. Key words: Political Conflicts, economic conflict, Trade Relation between Indonesia-Australia