Sustainability Dilemma in Southeast Asia

This book brings to light the sustainability dilemma in Southeast Asia, with a sharp focus on Indonesia’s rapid economic growth and its profound impact on natural resources, ecosystems, and society. It examines the complex challenge of fostering strong economic development while avoiding environmental degradation and social dislocation. Central to this discourse is the vital role of government regulation and the imperative of community involvement in managing natural resources.

Indonesia’s Economic Boom and Land-Use Conflicts

Indonesia’s economic boom—mirroring trends across Asia—has triggered escalating land-use conflicts in forests, peatlands, rural-urban zones, and karst landscapes. This is paralleled by expanding access to coal, tin, and oil and gas, leading to large-scale extractive operations and widespread environmental damage.

Framework and Perspectives

The book adopts a sustainable development framework, exploring its ecological, economic, social, and political dimensions. Crucially, it argues that today’s socio-ecological crisis is not just a consequence of growth, but a systemic condition rooted in capitalism.

Author and Audience

Written by leading experts, the book offers interdisciplinary perspectives—socio-cultural, legal, political, and economic—supported by detailed case studies. A timely and essential resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners committed to Indonesia’s sustainable future.