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Kebudayaan dan Perkembangan Ekonomi - Suatu Penelitian Empiris Lingkungan Budaya dan Kemampuan-kemampuan Wiraswasta di Tanah Papua, Indonesia (Nugini Barat)

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2013-11-25

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Philipps-Universität Marburg
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Abstract

Culture and Economic Development - An Empirical Study of Cultural Environment and Entrepreneurial Abilities in the Indonesian Province of Papua (West New Guinea). This study focuses on the cultural reasons for the marginalization of indigenous people in the modern economy of the Indonesian province of Papua. The theoretical background for the study is grounded in the development logic of Schumpeter and the development theory of Röpke, itself based on Schumpeter’s logic. The empirical data were collected through questionnaires in three rural regions of Papua, the areas of the Maibrat, Kemtuk and Dani ethnic groups. People in the three research areas rely heavily on subsistence agriculture organized within the family. Agriculture is characterized by a low degree of control of the natural environment and low productivity. The societies are particularistic (in that personal ties take precedence over commitment to society and the state) and shame-oriented. Most of the elements of the three cultural environments discussed in the study have an inhibiting effect on entrepreneurial action and economic development. These elements include a mechanistic, indirect, ritual-manipulative relationship with God, influenced by animism; a high degree of mistrust towards non-relatives; and a very pronounced principle of egalitarianism. This latter principle forbids the accumulation of wealth for personal purposes. It is the reason for a compulsion to share, leading to an anti-surplus principle. The over-pronounced social solidarity with relatives makes the extended family an economic development trap. Most of the entrepreneurial abilities identified in the study support entrepreneurial action, and with it economic development, only on a small scale. Concepts of the genesis of wealth and affluence that are influenced by animism clearly diminish any internal (personal) locus of control. There is a desire for harmony rather than for autonomy. There is a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to solving problems. The ability to anticipate future opportunities is limited, and innovations can rarely be implemented when they are in conflict with tradition and the habits of the older generation. People rarely embrace opportunities triggered by contact with their foreign cultural environment. Evidence from the Dani area shows that the mere existence of marketing opportunities does not automatically lead to greater market orientation. Innovations are adopted very selectively in order to ‘round out’ the home culture. There is a tendency not to defer gratification of needs. Authoritarianism and a need for affiliation and recognition are very pronounced. A prestige economy — with prestige rather than efficiency criteria as the focus of economic activity — prevails, and this is not generally consistent with economic development. The success motive (hope for success as part of the achievement motive) exists only on a small scale in all three of the research areas. But significant results for the Maibrat and Kemtuk areas confirm the central role that the success motive plays in economic development. Cultural elements such as polygyny hinder the development of the individual’s achievement motive. Entrepreneurs enjoy little prestige and appreciation in society. These characteristics severely limit the ability of the research areas to develop economically. Economic development triggered by Papuans themselves would require a reduction in the demands of the extended family, accompanied by far-reaching changes in culture — in short, a transformation of the society. An important role here falls to Christian ethics, which, besides effecting transformation, can help to foster cultural revitalisation. Furthermore, education involving the local languages of Papua’s various ethnic groups must be established, and there needs to be culturally oriented promotion of small entrepreneurs.

Keywords

kulturelle Umwelt, Kemtuk, Schumpeter, entrepreneurial abilities, economic development, unternehmerische Fähigkeiten, cultural environment, Erfolgsmotiv, achievement motive, Entwicklungslogik

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https://open.uni-marburg.de/handle/10.17192/es.2013.0006

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