Introduction:
Historians have traditionally focused on the Cold War as a bipolar conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, often overlooking the significant role of the third world.
Vincent Bevins, in his book "The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program that Shaped Our World," challenges this perspective and argues for a more comprehensive understanding of the Cold War that includes the experiences of countries like Indonesia, Nigeria, and Mozambique.
By centralizing the third world in the historiography of the Cold War, Bevins aims to shed light on the global impact of this decades-long conflict and its relevance to the present.
The Significance of the Third World:
The term "third world" emerged as a Cold War concept, embodying the aspirations of newly independent nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Bevins emphasizes that the third world was not merely a category but a movement, representing the dreams of oppressed masses seeking control over their own destinies.
These nations became battlegrounds for competing ideologies, with the United States and the Soviet Union vying for influence. Bevins argues that a global history of the Cold War, including the third world, is essential for understanding the world we live in today.
The Jakarta Method and US Intervention:
Bevins contends that the United States has consistently sought to shape the world according to its own interests, employing both overt and covert methods.
The book explores the "Jakarta Method," a strategy that involved eliminating opposition to crony capitalism through mass murder and state-sponsored violence.
Bevins demonstrates how the US actively supported dictatorial regimes and engaged in imperialist practices, even providing military training to officers who would later commit atrocities. The case studies of Indonesia and Brazil exemplify the devastating consequences of US intervention.
Challenges and Insights of a Global History:
Writing a global history of the Cold War requires addressing lesser-known participants and acknowledging the continuity between the conflict and earlier tensions.
Bevins succeeds in providing a comparative study of Southeast Asia and Latin America, with references to Africa's role as well. The book's strength lies in its incorporation of personal narratives and voices of victims, revealing the human impact of imperialism and anticommunist fervor.
However, limitations in the methodology and organization of the book, such as the absence of an index and detailed maps, may pose challenges for readers.
Broadening Perspectives:
Bevins urges readers to question conventional narratives, challenging the myth of the "Good War" and highlighting the realities of American imperialism during World War II.
He also emphasizes the bipartisan nature of US culpability in supporting repressive regimes and perpetuating violence.
By exposing the manipulative tactics employed to distort historical truths and maintain control, Bevins encourages a critical examination of the role played by powerful actors and the consequences of their actions.
Conclusion:
"The Jakarta Method" serves as a crucial intervention in the historiography of the Cold War, expanding our understanding beyond the binary framework of superpower rivalry.
Bevins presents a compelling case for the inclusion of the third world in Cold War history, emphasizing its global impact and long-lasting consequences.
By delving into the stories of lesser-known participants and exposing the hidden realities of US intervention, the book challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of the Cold War and its enduring legacy.
Read the original version by Noah Tsika here.
Noah Tsika is the author of the book, “Nollywood Stars”, and a contributing editor of Africa is a Country.