Ethnicity Playing Complementary Role to the State Function

Case of 'Betawi' Mass Organizations in Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Conventional state-ethnicity models have emphasized the negative side of ethnicity, where it merely distracts state integrity and efficiency. The presenter demonstrates how huge ethnic organizations in Jakarta provide the poor with social welfare that the state cannot provide. In so doing, he attempts to shed light on the positive side of ethnicity where it can complement state function along with the will of the poor.