Lost in Transition: A district perspective on rapid modernisation in Timor-Leste

Abstract

This thesis deals broadly with issues of identity and culture in Timor-Leste, in light of a modernisation process and the coming of nation-statehood. Taking inspiration from methodologies proposed by the philosopher Jürgen Habermas, the thesis adopts a "mid-level" approach in its theoretical and empirical analysis. Theoretically, the work reflects on the implications of the macro-social changes in culture, politics and economics on the individual's self-concept, agency and autonomy. It further considers how the neoliberal bias of the country's development policies since 1999 has dismissed, displaced or co-opted local sociality. Addressing a significant gap in much of the existing research and commentary on the county's transition to self-determination, this thesis concentrates empirically on the Aileu people with a mixed methodology, giving a multidimensional and "district-based" view of Timor-Leste's nation-statehood. Aileu is a central highlands district to the south of the neighbouring capital city of Dili, and it houses a sociality that offers great insight into the junction between "the old" and "the new".