DOES THE FREE TRADE ABUSE DEMOCRACY ?

By : Suci Sabilly

            There was a phenomenon since Indonesia suffered a crisis (1997), Indonesia less influential especially in South East Asia. That crisis implies there was an alteration of global economic which causes the dependency of  international economy. As a democracy country, basically Indonesia accepted Free Trade because a democracy country thought that the freedom of economy is the key of a democracy society.

            The question is How International Trade affect Indonesian paradigm and how that international trade influence the democracy system in Indonesia.  The existing of Free trade implies the two strength of a country, that is economy and politic. This two strength will make a country’s system become altering. 

            Free Trade Liberalization is a monumental case which led a lot of reaction, there was a pessimist reaction inspite of optimistic. We should recognize that international trade has beneficially impact of our country, especially the expansion of ideas and economic growth. Increased trade and economic integration promote civil and political freedoms directly by opening a society to new technology, communications and democratic ideas.

            However, the freedom may not fully guarantee a succesful of the economy. In fact, a particular society become a loser and it will lead to the failure of economy. The democracy was running unwell without reins and integrity, the society tend to struggle for their rights and forgot their obligations. Actually, the society has differentiation about the meaning of democracy. Most of them interpret democracy as “talking democracy” rather than “working democracy”.

            The blurred of Pancasila paradigm accordance with three myths : Market, Money, and Political party. That’s why the liberalization in democracy which adopted by Indonesia delivered the accummulation capital of democracy and then created a particular capitalist whos got benefit from our country. WTO and others implied by the society as a new colonization. They will not considering the citizen-interest such a farmers,workers, fishermans, and so on. So, the existing of free trade in ASEAN-China although in the world should seems as a benefit for the whole society. Governments should have a special effort in order to compete with other countries and reduce the possibility of negative impact of international trade that can abuse the citizens.