Nation State : Journal of International Studies
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): Political Memory, Emotions, and the Politics of Exclusion in IR

Political Memory, Economic Sovereignty, and New Dependencies: Indonesia's Downstreaming and Energy Transition in the Midst of Foreign Investment

Sugiarto Pramono (International Relations Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Wahid Hasyim, Semarang, – Indonesia)
Fuat Albayumi (International Relations Study, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Jember, Jawa Timur – Indonesia)
Muhamad Takhim (Islamic Economics Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Wahid Hasyim, Semarang – Indonesia)
Muhammad Dhani (International Relations Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Wahid Hasyim, Semarang, – Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
18 Sep 2026

Abstract

This article examines how of political memory shapes downstreaming policies and Indonesia’s energy transition. Existing studies on downstreaming mainly emphasize political economy, industrialization, foreign investment, and geopolitical competition over strategic minerals. However, the historical experience of colonial extraction and long-term economic dependence also plays an important role in shaping contemporary energy policy. This study argues that Indonesia’s downstreaming and energy transition agendas are driven by economic growth and industrial objectives, but also by collective memories of Indonesia’s historical role as a global raw material supplier. The study uses a qualitative interpretive approach through document analysis of presidential speeches, downstreaming regulations, Energy Law, the RPJMN, and other official state documents on energy and strategic minerals. The findings demonstrate that narratives such as “energy sovereignty,” “downstreaming,” and “raw material export bans” symbolize state efforts to escape colonial extractive structures. Downstreaming is framed as both a historical correction and a source of national pride within the green energy transition. Nevertheless, Indonesia’s green industrialization remains heavily dependent on foreign investment and technology, particularly from China, revealing the paradox between resource nationalism and contemporary global dependency.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

nsjis

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

Nation State: Journal of International Studies (NSJIS) is a scientific publication under management of International Relations Department, Faculty of Economics and Social Science, Universitas AMIKOM Yogyakarta in collaboration with Asosiasi Ilmu Hubungan Internasional Indonesia (AIHII). The journal ...