Revisiting the history of colonialism and international law in Indonesia: the legacies of G. J. Resink

Abstract

Power is exercised through truth claims, as seen in the case of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia. Gertrudes Johan Resink, a scholar of international law, successfully exposed the history of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia and demonstrated the pre-existence of international law before European expansion by considering the role of international law in Indonesia’s history. This article examines Resink’s legacy and the potential for elaborating further on his ideas in Indonesia’s history of international law. Although this article deals with a specific context, the Indonesian experience can contribute to the history and development of international law in the region more generally.