Balancing with Jokowi’s Characteristics: A Neoclassical Realism Approach to Indonesia’s Foreign and Security Policies in the South China Sea

The objectives of this article are twofold. First, it seeks to posit Jokowi’s foreign and security policies in the broader historical context Indonesian policymaking. Throughout history, Indonesia’s responses its external environment, as manifested policies, have been significantly influenced by a range domestic factors including leaders’ personality his/her attitude international politics. Building upon observation, understand South China Sea using neoclassical realism framework. It argues that there has shift approach problem, characterised more active pragmatic diplomacy assertive territorial integrity. Both components, however, not deterministic products threats predicted neorealist theories. Instead, they personality, towards policy preoccupation his administration with agenda.