Remembering Gallipoli and Jakarta Switch: Articles Summary

This article provides a summary of two articles, one discussing the celebration of Anzac day and its impact on Australian people and politics, and the other discussing the growing economy of Indonesia and its potential as a strategic asset for Australia. The articles provide insights into the history, politics, and future of Australia's relationship with its neighboring countries.

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Article I - Remembering Gallipoli: Anzac, the Great War and Australian Memory
Politics
Here in we will summarize the article Remembering Gallipoli: Anzac, the Great War and
Australian Memory Politics by Matt McDonald. In this article the author has discussed how
the Allied troops in modern – day turkey has laid the foundation of present day Australia. In
1915, Australia was imperial colony of British Kingdom, they participated in World War I
under their flagship. Like other represented countries, Australia has also lost their soldiers
who died during this war. Many countries including Australia has decided to commemoration
of the centenary of the soldiers of World War I aided by the government of Australia. This
article discussed the celebration of Anzac day and its importance and impact on Australian
people and politics.
This paper focuses on three parameters, first one is history of Gallipoli and Anzac and second
is political relation between the two and finally on the dynamics of reminiscence and the
centenary of commemoration of brave hearts. It generally focusses on the Anzac myth which
is based on the heroism and bravery shown by the solider of Allied Troops. Basically New
Zealand and Australia even after the defeat with the counter countries has fought with
courage and humour with them. This has laid the foundation of the today’s Australia. So to
remember those brave hearted young soldiers Anzac day is celebrated. This also laid the
foundation to Anzac myth which is related to Australian white community who laid the
foundation of dominant society of Australia rather than the multicultural one. The facts
provided by non-Australian about the Australian troops were also less and that number of
indigenous soldiers were by far less in numbers. The white soldiers were given more
importance and were shown as Australian national in statistics. These stories played
significant role in politics as people in power decided as when and where use these stories to
win political gain and campaign about their party. Political leaders engaged these stories with
national identity and nationality. In the end the author has concluded that Anzac myth and
Gallipoli incident cannot be denied nor could be accepted totally as it has some dubious role
in the past. He wants Australia to focus as multicultural nation who celebrate the death of
soldiers as the remembrance of their courage and that they sacrifice their life for the nation.
This events in the past are now dominant and plays important role in the present term
relationship of ANZUS both politically and nationally (McDonald, 2017).
References
McDonald, M. (2017). Remembering Gallipoli: Anzac, the Great War and Australian
Memory Politics. Australian Journal Of Politics & History, 63(3), 406-418. doi:
10.1111/ajph.12372

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Article II – Jakarta Switch: Why Australia needs to pin its hope (not fears) on a great and
powerful Indonesia.
Here in this report we will summarize the article Jakarta Switch: Why Australia needs to pin
its hope (not fears) on a great and powerful Indonesia written by Australian Professor Hugh
White. White’s mentioned here about the growing GDP of Indonesia and how it could
become one of the leading economy of the world by 2050. If Indonesia grows with the
average of 5-6% per year it will outgrow the economy of the Australia. Australia shares its
proximity with Indonesia than any other Asian countries. It has always taken Indonesia as a
threat than friend. With is growing economy and GDP Australia has to rethink about its
relation with its neighbouring country. He suggested that Indonesia could be a strategic asset
to Australia to secure them in their region with any threat that they might encounter. As their
economy is growing which is higher than USA and its wealth will also increase and can reach
to Japan’s total wealth in no time. He emphasizes to build friendly relation with Indonesia as
it’s the nearest neighbouring countries which can provide them aide during any crisis and can
help them to provide security in their region. In his article he has mentioned that the impact
of the US has weakened in Asian region because of its own slow economy growth after the
Iraq war, China has emerged as super power in this region which pose as threat to Australia.
Indonesia has signed treaty with India which has shown the concern over the issues of China
regarding South China sea. China and Indonesia has no dispute over land or sea territory
however statements by both the nations in recent years has cause the rift regarding their
territory in waters. As Indonesia will soon have bigger economy and wealth than most of the
Asian countries, Australia should think of having strategic relationship with them against
China and should support Indonesia to have more strategic conversation with China in future
regarding any disputes. In the end author concluded saying Australia should take steps and
measurement to build relationship with new improving Indonesia. In future they can be great
ally which will prove boon to Australia and Indonesia. This new ally will definitely impact
the future of the world as both will be becoming great economy of the world in their regions
(Hugh, 2018).
I partly don’t agree with the author as he emphasize on the growth of the Indonesia in current
situation. No doubt Indonesia is growing with the average rate of 5-6% but we cannot deny
the political and social condition of the nation. The government of Indonesia is very ignorant
of the growth of the country but somehow country has maintained its average. The corruption
rate of the country is high so the growth of the country somehow gets affected by it. India and
China on the other hand are growing at a fast speed building very strong image of their
country respectively. Australia has good relation with India as they share same morals and
values so their relationship will be more colloidal on other hand Indonesia is a non-secular
country whereas Australia is secular one, so the clash of ideology is supposed to happen. The
policies and decision by the official in Indonesia are based on religious belief as well.
Australia definitely should be friend with Indonesia as they are neighbouring countries and
can support each other when required in crisis like war, natural disaster, terrorism. Both the
countries in the past has suffer from terror activities which costed life. Together they can
fight terrorism in their region to make better future.

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References
Hugh, W. (2018). The Jakarta switch: Why Australia needs to pin its hopes (not fears) on a
great and powerful Indonesia. Australian Foreign Affairs, Jul 2018: 7-30, (No. 3,).
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