Presented at International Conference on Science and Social Research 2013, Penang Island, Malaysia. The goal of this case study research is to analyze the significance of multiculturalism within the Indonesian government’s Millennium Development Goals poverty eradication effort. Thus, the outcome is to identify solutions toward poverty caused by the absence of multiculturalism values in Ambon, through resource management. The consideration of choosing Ambon is because it is one of Indonesia’s most underdeveloped regions, though rich in natural resources. Interestingly, the condition was widely linked to ethnic issues occurred in Ambon since Suharto’s downfall in 1998. This research’s main concept is based on Amartya Sen’s notion of social exclusion, namely the capability deprivation. Additionally, the sociological perspective of structural-functionalism is employed as the research perspective. Other literature studies include historical review on the relation between poverty and multiculturalism in developing countries, as well as Iwan Gardono’s paper on primordial conflicts in Ambon. By analyzing the relation between the state’s ignorance of multiculturalism and poverty, we will understand how the ethnicity-based exclusion occurred in post-Suharto Ambon until recently. In turn, this phenomenon triggered marginalization of the dominant native ethnic groups. Eventually, the structural inequality caused by the marginalization enables the non-native ethnic groups to enjoy the natural resources exclusively. The finding offers an alternative solution of natural resource management in Ambon, as a blueprint of sustainable development. Therefore, results suggest that multiculturalism values should be structurally enforced by the state to ensure inclusivity among various ethnic groups. The importance of bottom-up policy-making to create compatible social policies within different social structures is also suggested.

1. Muhammad Reza Zaini
Undergraduate Program, Department of Sociology,
University of Indonesia

2. Methodology & Key
Concept: Life
Deprivation
Contemporary
Studies on Poverty
Suggestions
& Solutions
MDGs &
Pluralism: A
Case Study
Theoritic
Analysis

3. Case-Study Research
ANALYTICAL METHOD
DATA COLLECTION METHOD
Historical Analysis
Literature Study
Description
Description
This research employs
historical-comparative method,
in which the researchers
examine aspects of social life in
a past historical era (Neuman,
2006). Researchers who use this
technique focus on one
historical period or more, and
try to analyze it.
Additionally, researcher also studied
extensively on the history of the
Ambonese conflict by Sudjatmiko
(2008).

4. Amartya Sen (Development as Freedom)
The main focus of poverty eradication is no
longer the single issue of income.
The social aspect seen as the obstacle in terms of poverty
eradication effort is the issue of life deprivation.
Life Deprivation: Individual or collective inability to fulfill
his/her social needs (i.e. social service).

5. Why does the issue of life deprivation should be considered as an
important issue?
Classical studies of poverty emphasizes solely on personal income
aspect.
But on the reality, when an individual’s personal income had exceeds the
poverty line, he/she still faces social problems, which makes as if he/she
were living with insufficient income.
“Poverty isn’t about income; it’s about what
an individual can achieve from it” (Sen, 1999:87).

6. (Data as of 2010)
Table I: Comparison on Mean Household Income between Black American and U.S.
National Average (US Fact Finder & US Census Bureau)
Category
Mean Household Income
Black American
US$ 32,068
National Poverty Line
< US$ 22,162
Table II: Comparison on Mortality Rate of African Americans to White
Americans
Sex
Male
Female
White Americans
1.0
1.0
African Americans
1.8
2.2

7. The UN is already aware of the importance of social aspects in its
effort to eradicate poverty by means of MDGs.
MDGs commitments toward the improvement of education, gender
equality, health, environmental protection, and development
partnership which scheduled to be achieved by 2015.
Fact: MDGs isn’t holistic enough to eradicate
absolute poverty.

8. Bugis
Bugis
History
Indonesian
Indonesian
Demography
Demography
Planned
Planned
Migration
Migration
Centralistic & Militaristic
Centralistic & Militaristic
Government
Government
Destination:
Destination:
Ambon
Ambon

9. Conflict Analysis & Failure of Development
Resource Control
Resource Control
Social Exclusion;
Social Exclusion;
Low Soc. Capital
Low Soc. Capital
Ethnic
Ethnic
Animosity
Animosity
Regime Change
Regime Change
Horizontal
Horizontal
Conflict
Conflict
Centralistic & Militaristic
Centralistic & Militaristic
Government
Government
1965 - 1998
De-Centralized Gov’t
De-Centralized Gov’t
1998 Finding of the Historical Analysis
Development
Development
Stagnation
Stagnation

11. Sociological perspective of structural-functionalism
A certain social structure will face
disequilibrium, if some its functions are
not compatible with the social structure
(Ritzer, 2008:103)
MDGs as a social structure doesn’t internalized well.

12. The case of Ambon Conflict is a good example of how multiculturalism values
can be significantly important in sustainable development.
Ironically, the idea of multiculturalism is still not widely employed in the
effort of poverty eradication, especially in the Third World.
Of the goals mentioned earlier, multiculturalism is still unseen in the
Millennium Development Goals.
This explains why poverty eradication and economic development effort in
Ambon stalled, even after the regime change in Indonesia.

13. Solutions will be emphasized on the structural element
of state and society.
1. The need to conduct societal development in
cultural aspect, to create better social capital in
order to preserve the sustainability of poverty
eradication programs.
2. The state need to put forward the value of
multicultural citizenship.
bottom-up policy

14. Phase 1: Planning
and Design
Phase 4:
Evaluation
POLICY
Phase 3:
Operation and
Control
Phase 2:
Selection and
Activation

15. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH 2013
PENANG