"Although at times religious and ethnic tensions have risen to the surface, Indonesians live in relative harmony and have developed a distinct Indonesian identity since becoming an independent republic in 1949. With its multi-party democracy and free elections, modern Indonesia is a much more politically mature and tolerant place than it was during the Suharto era, when authoritarian one-party rule held sway. Today, Indonesia has become a prime example of how a modernizing country can embrace democracy and celebrate its diversity. With this maturity and tolerance comes a more global viewpoint, and global citizenship has become increasingly important to many Indonesians as they work to make our world fairer, more sustainable, and more peaceful"-- Provided by publisher.