Dr. Abraham, who assumed the role of Prime Minister of Holland in 1901, was instrumental in initiating a significant shift in colonial policy with regards to the Dutch East Indies. His advocacy for moral responsibility towards the indigenous population led to the establishment of the ‘Ethical Policy.’ This policy marked a departure from traditional colonial practices and aimed at improving the welfare of the native inhabitants through various measures.
Introduction of the Ethical Policy
The Ethical Policy was introduced in 1901 as a response to the growing concerns over the treatment of the native population in the Dutch East Indies. Dr. Abraham’s pamphlets played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and governmental stance on the issue. The policy was grounded in the belief that the colonial government held a moral obligation to advance the well-being of the indigenous people. It proposed a series of reforms that were intended to enhance education, irrigation, and emigration to relieve densely populated areas.
Decentralisation Efforts and Challenges
Central to the Ethical Policy was the concept of decentralisation. The aim was to shift power from The Hague to Batavia, and further down from the Governor-General to local officers, including the transfer of authority to Indonesian officers. This approach also involved the creation of autonomous bodies that would manage their own affairs while cooperating with the government.
The Decentralisation Law of 1903 and subsequent decrees in 1904 and 1905 established local councils comprising Indonesians, Europeans, and Chinese members. Despite these legal frameworks, the reality was far from the initial vision. The governor’s decentralisation plan, submitted to the Home Government in 1867, was not fully realized. The Governor-General remained heavily under the influence of the Home Government, and local autonomy existed more in theory than in practice. By the time World War I began, true decentralisation had not been achieved.
Focus on Village Improvement for Native Welfare
With the implementation of the Ethical Policy facing obstacles, proponents shifted their focus to the village level, believing it to be the fundamental unit for enhancing native welfare. Efforts were made to implement educational programs, agricultural improvements, and infrastructure development within villages. However, the impact of these initiatives was limited by the overarching control of the colonial administration and the lack of genuine power-sharing with local Indonesian authorities.
Questions for UPSC
1. How did the Ethical Policy reconcile the inherent contradictions between colonial interests and the welfare of the native population?
2. To what extent did the centralization of power in the Dutch colonial administration hinder the effective implementation of the Ethical Policy’s decentralisation efforts?
3. What lessons can be learned from the Ethical Policy in the context of contemporary governance and development policies in former colonial territories?