Constructing a postcolonial nation: The case of East Timor

Based on the approaches of Partha Chatterjee and Benedict Anderson, this paper reconstructs East Timor's nation-state development. By focusing on the influences of colonialism, it reveals the way the Timor Island became East Timor. Anderson's approach discusses the impact of colonial institutions and determines that after some years of violence these imposed structures will produce a modern nation-state. Chatterjee's approach focuses on the instrumental role of national elites who in some ways assume the role of the colonizers. According to Chatterjee, this role explains recent and future conflict. While the primary purpose of this analysis is to provide a unique study of how the nation of East Timor was constructed, it also reveals common, western-centric assumptions regarding nation-state development. While current conflicts in East Timor may simply be the birth pains of a new nation-state, Chatterjee's approach offers a compelling understanding that is less western-centric and more appropriate to the postcolonial world.