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Research Article | Volume 3 Issue 1 (Jan-June, 2022) | Pages 1 - 5
Sword of Sun Tzu in The Perspective of Free and Active Political
 ,
 ,
1
Indonesia Defense University
Under a Creative Commons license
Open Access
Received
Jan. 25, 2022
Revised
Feb. 16, 2022
Accepted
March 14, 2022
Published
May 19, 2022
Abstract

This paper explains that one of the theories in Sun Tzu's art of war can be applied in various aspects of life related to solving problems or conflicts through peace. In this paper, the theory of the “sheathed sword” as the highest skill will be juxtaposed with free and active politics related to the pattern used in world peace efforts. The principle of free and active in Sun Tzu's art of war is described as the collaboration of two reliable ways to acquire a supreme skill. This paper will also describe how Sun Tzu's art of war becomes a reference for various aspects of conflict resolution and how free and active politics sees it as an art of "war" with the highest skill.

Keywords
INTRODUCTION

In war, of course, victory is the main goal with strong internal and external capabilities. Defeating and even destroying the opponent is the implementation to achieve that victory. Many war experts formulate theories in designing a concept to win the war. In the book The Art of War Sun Tzu written/edited by [1] especially in the third part, its about the Sheathed Sword [1] , gives an understanding of something unusual. The philosophy is that the "sword" symbolizes violence, blood and death, that is not used (it means sheathed), but can achieve victory, this is what is called the highest skill. Sun Tzu in the book mentions, how war is carried out by minimizing violence, promoting dialogue and negotiation or infiltration by utilizing cultural conditions, ideology and information network systems. War is carried out flexibly, not rigidly and has art, to get the goal, namely victory. The ways of fighting conveyed with straightforward, firm, general in nature and philosophical. With art, war becomes a more "gentle" thing where the most important thing is non-violence by promoting peace.

 

Peace is one of the fundamental things in establishing relations with the international community, where the principle of free and active Indonesia gives more meaning to peace. In the opening of the fourth paragraph of the 1945 Constitution, stated that eternal peace is one of the basics in carrying out the goals of the state [2]. The principle of being free and active in Indonesia's foreign policy has been carried out in social life, namely love of peace and humanity is also stated in the opening of the first and fourth paragraphs of the 1945 Constitution. Where as a whole, Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution are a reflection of the noble values ​​of the Indonesian nation which have been actualized in people's lives since the days of the Sriwijaya, Majapahit, Mataram kingdoms and so on [3]

 

Something unusual can be seen from Sun Tzu's art of war and the principle of being free and active in Indonesian foreign policy, namely the value of sincere peace. There is a close relationship that can be analyzed, how the highest skill in war is a picture of peace. Then the meaning of war becomes wider, where in all activities and daily struggles to survive, everything is war. The author would like to convey that free and active politics is the highest skill, closely related to peace and still very relevant today. Then, this article raises the question, how does the principle of free and active Indonesian foreign policy correspond to Sun Tzu's art of war as a supreme skill? and how it is implemented. By analyzing Sun Tzu's theory of war through the Indonesia's free and active political perspective, expected to be more convinced, that the principle of free and active is the right strategy in dealing with the international world..

 

This study uses a descriptive phenomenological method, where the author analyzes the views on free and active politics and Sun Tzu's phenomenal art of war, related to the highest skill, the "sheathed sword". The author also conducted a correlation study, to explain the close relationship between the principle of being free and active with the highest skill. The analysis process is carried out by looking for relevant sources regarding the two phenomena, then getting the main sources that describe the relationship between the two. Next, determine the sources that support the relevance of these two phenomena [4]

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The principle of being free and active in Indonesia's foreign policy

The principle of being free and active in foreign policy, illustrates that the Indonesian nation do not dictated by anyone in deciding matters concerning humanity and peace. This principle is a sincere attitude in interacting in the international sphere, because it has its own stand. The deeper meaning of peace implies that peace is a necessity for humans who want friendship and friendship should be without pressure. If you side with the other, because of dependence or pressure, it will be a "paid friendship". The first Vice President, Bung Hatta, said that Indonesia must have its own stand in pursuing the ideals of the nation, so that it does not become an object but becomes a subject who has the right to determine its own attitude in international relations [5] . Bung Karno in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 1960, firmly voiced about humanity, freedom and encouraged the whole world to prioritize dialogue [6].Free and active does not mean neutral, impartial does not mean without principles, but Indonesia offers other options other than "west and east". Choices that prioritize friendship, not enmity. Free and active is an expression to describe the values ​​of humanity, independence, eternal peace and social justice as the basis for Indonesia's international interaction policy.

 

Several studies on Indonesian foreign policy, such as that conducted by [5] are based on the concept of national interest that the political goal of a country is to realize its national interests, so that for Indonesia free and active politics is a way to achieve the noble ideals of the nation that have been set. Then the research of M. Zulfan Arifin using the theory of stages of historical writing, said that the birth of free and active politics was due to the ideological contradictions of the two big blocks so that Indonesia took the path of being impartial [7].Next According to K.J. Holsti in his writing "National Role Conceptions in the Study of Foreign Policy", which was quoted by Agus Haryanto in his article, stated that there are three role concepts, namely: international system and state behavior in the international role system [8]Where Indonesia's foreign policy originates from the national role, namely the personality and thoughts of the nation as well as international systems and influences. The personality and thoughts of the Indonesian people are peace. Next,by M. Tri Andika, research on the application of foreign policy, where relations with China will lead to a conflict of interest, is entitled "Analysis of Indonesia-China Foreign Policy in the Era of President Joko Widodo: Conflict of Economic Interests and Sovereignty?". In the conclusion it is said that the interests of economic relations, through loans and assistance provided, do not affect Indonesia's assertiveness in maintaining sovereignty in the North Natuna Sea [9]

 

The application of Sun Tzu's art of war

The 13 (thirteen) chapters on the theory of the art of war Sun Tzu, describes the skills in carrying out the preparation, execution and ending of war to gain victory. The “sheathed sword” was one of the out of the box arts of how to subdue an enemy army without fighting, something that was extremely difficult to do. considering that the human tendency is to resort to violence in war. Breaking the enemy's defenses without fighting is an ability possessed by every individual because it is part of the instinct to live.

 

said that instincts are divided into two parts, namely life instincts and death instincts. Life instinct is a statement of human life in fulfilling their needs such as food, water and the need for sex. Life instincts are oriented towards growth and development. The death instinct states that all living things are subject to decay and death, and humans have an unconscious desire to die. One component of the death instinct is the drive for aggression, the compulsion to destroy, the will to power, and kill [10] . This instinct for life then develops, where every human being understands that it is not only certain groups/parties who need to live but other groups/parties as well. This understanding becomes the basis for communication and agreement for a peace so that life continues. This theory from Freud is in line with the homeostatic approach, which is a condition of living things in improving or maintaining stable conditions [11]

 

According to [12] , Sun Tzu's theory of war "win without fighting" explains the strategy used in the view of non-mainstream groups to debate the views of the positivists who are more dominant. The victory of war is considered something that legitimizes the domination and oppression of the "winner" to the "loser", losing is considered small and excluded. This article describes the concept of Sun Tzu war, can be used in the field of accounting and the existence of an organization by embracing mainstream groups to cooperate. War with art will be a "weapon of tenderness" namely understanding, respect, cooperation and sincerity, without blaming and getting rid of the losing group. In this case, it is hoped that mainstream and non-mainstream cooperation will create a paradigm balance, so that a better and more sustainable accounting system is formed.

 

Furthermore, in the sphere of political change, there has been a process of re-territorialization of the theory and practice of diplomacy, by reviving non-western understanding. Kautilya's Arthashastra and Sun Tzu's The Art of War in this context seem relevant, as these two ancient texts reinforce this understanding broadly [13].The article entitled “Diplomatic Theory of Kautilya and Sun Tzu: Assessing Interpretations” discusses the diplomatic aspects of international relations theory and discusses diplomacy theory from non-western understandings. This research was conducted to eliminate western domination in diplomacy theory and to create an alternative understanding of non-western diplomacy. Where Kautilya and Sun Tzu's ancient book provides an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of non-western diplomacy that contributes to a more peaceful, just and orderly world [14]

 

Sun Tzu's theory of art of war is often compared to Clausewitz's theory of war and there has been much discussion between genius and guarantee of victory, Lukas Milevski in “The idea of genius in Clausewitz and Sun Tzu” [15]  explained the comparison and influence of their ideas. Clausewitz's concept in “On War”, focuses entirely on the notion of perfection in war and achievement primarily through staff work and pre-war planning emphasizing the difficulties of war and strategy in war. Meanwhile, Sun Tzu tries to avoid difficulties by preparing the environment to manipulate it, so that the tendency of the war will be in their favor. In the conclusion it was conveyed, that for Clausewitz, genius was a real phenomenon, he believed and identified it. For Sun Tzu the concept of genius is to be free from the difficulties of war and to reach the political sphere around it, making it the most promising arena for minimizing the dangers of war itself.

 

Humanity and peace values

Humanity according to the big Indonesian dictionary [16], means human traits; those that are appropriate for humans; describing the condition of humans in general. Humanity is universal, but in fact humans always have a desire to fight as an implication of the bad side of humans. Human values ​​describe the human side that is not bad, which is expected to be more dominant. This is what must be a human character, human culture to create a lasting peace.

 

Human values ​​have always been the main target in the implementation of government, where it is difficult to realize real peace if human values ​​are ignored. In war, human values ​​are always inserted to dominate the situation and conditions. The standard of human values ​​has been regulated in general in international humanitarian law with the legal instrument being the International Criminal Court or ICC as a place of settlement. Where it aims as a tool and a way for each country to overcome and reduce international crimes against human values [17]

 

Violence and peace are two things that must be chosen in individual and state life. According to Johan Galtung, that human potential is wanting to make peace and violence is something that prevents a person from realizing his potential [18] . The way of violence or war can be chosen in the course of a country, but there will always be peace, because of the dominance of human values. Indonesia's steps in setting the country's goals based on independence, lasting peace and social justice are in line with the "peace path". The implementation of the free and active principle by the government is stated in the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2020-2024. Where the priority of foreign policy rests on strengthening economic diplomacy, protection, sovereignty and nationality, increasing Indonesia's contribution and leadership in the region and the world and strengthening the diplomacy infrastructure itself [19].Indonesia has consistently continued the mandate of the nation's founding fathers to achieve peace with a dialogue approach, forming a culture of positive commitment.

 

On the other hand, peace occurs because it begins with a dispute/conflict, it can also occur after a war. Peace that occurs without being preceded by war or widespread violence, is a condition in which human potential is realized and shows a supreme skill. The slogan "love peace, but love freedom more" which was exhaled during the war to defend independence, has the meaning that independence is more important than peace. In this case, the peace referred to is pseudo, only as a cover to re-colonize/control Indonesia.

 

War is life activity, life activity is war

War is identical with violence, according to [18] in his article entitled "Violence, Peace, and Peace Research" explaining that there are two types of violence, namely personal and structural violence. Violence is not always in the form of personal violence that is carried out directly through physical or mental attacks, but is also carried out indirectly, for example through an unfair social order, which is called structural violence. According to the big Indonesian dictionary, war can mean fighting, conflict and personal and structural violence. Such as “economic wars, price wars, nervous wars, pen wars and some other war terms. Where the war situation does not look like war or acts of violence but describes two parties, who are not in line or agree and want to dominate each other. As [1] said, that in all activities and daily struggles for survival, everything is a war and is carried out with the same rules.

 

The meaning of war becomes broader, where every activity to fight to defend something and win it can be defined as war and win the war. A newborn child has been given by God "defense" in his body to "war" with the world he has just entered. The human immune system from birth is the first line of defense against disease and has the ability to immediately recognize and destroy it [20] In making personal decisions is also a war, where some considerations/suggestions can conflict with instincts or own opinions. Then in a group, the opinions of several members can be a difference of two or more parts that require arguments in defending their respective opinions. The concept of dialogue for peace, is described in considering, analyzing, making agreements in the heart (individual conflicts) and then taking the right decisions and implementing them.

The principle of free and active is a way or strategy "in war" both personal war and structural war, taking the terms "personal violence and structural violence" [18]. Free means that the abilities that exist in individuals or in groups are not influenced by pressure or coercion, but purely come from themselves or internal groups. Active means being active to realize peace and friendship in every "war" in oneself or a group or as a peacemaker against other parties' wars. These things begin with a commitment to the need for dialogue, then reach a consensus or agreement. So there will be a habit that does not promote violence. According to Marty Natalegawa, Indonesia needs to come up with a different mission to reach consensus and agreement as an effort to form a culture of “strategic trust” through diplomatic initiatives [21]. Starting with the desire to commit to dialogue and diplomacy for peace, it is hoped that it will reduce violence in solving problems.

CONCLUSION

Indonesia since independence has voiced to the world, the importance of meeting, dialogue, negotiation and friendship as a “positive commitment”. Peace is the best way and will always be in accordance with the times, because human values always exist with life itself. Independence or freedom is part of human values which is the basis for having principles, not being dependent or subject to stronger pressure. Then active is the nature that underlies the habit so that it becomes proficient. By having principles based on peace and a consistent and sustainable pattern, you will be able to have high skills. The desire for peace, as the main basis of free and active politics and Sun Tzu's art of war, is a strong concept because it is carried out sincerely.

Conflict of Interest:

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest

Funding:

No funding sources

Ethical approval:

The study was approved by the Indonesia Defense University.

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