Abstract
Following the turmoil and destruction in the wake of the 1999 popular referendum, the half-island territory of Timor-Leste emerged as the first newly independent sovereign state of the 21st century. Its democratic credentials established, the country has become a poster state for managing internal conflict and demonstrating strong policy leadership both domestically and internationally. Its windfall oil revenues from the Timor Sea have provided much-needed funding for critical infrastructure and important social transfers for pensioners, the disabled and veterans of the independence struggle. At the same time, the still very significant challenges of nation-building, of developing capable statecraft and participatory democracy mean that Timor-Leste remains a work in progress—one where popular expectations are often frustrated by the incremental pace of progress. The chapters that follow do not attempt to present a straightforward or unified narrative of these developments. Rather, they serve to highlight the richness of public debate and the diversity of views that exists on Timor-Leste’s achievements, frictions and challenges.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | A New Era? Timor-Leste after the UN |
Editors | Sue Ingram, Lia Kent and Andrew McWilliam |
Place of Publication | Canberra |
Publisher | ANU Press |
Pages | 1-14 |
Volume | 1 |
Edition | 1 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781925022506 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |