Island Culture in International Relations: Tri Hita Karana and Bali’s Paradiplomacy

Abstract

This paper explores the involvement of island culture in International Relations studies, particularly with the specific study of Bali Island in Indonesia, with its unique island identity, based on Tri Hita Karana: the three causes of harmony. Three major conceptual frameworks are utilized in this paper: paradiplomacy, islandness, and the implementation of Tri Hita Karana. This paper uses descriptive qualitative methods by collecting primary data with interview with an expert informant and secondary data, by gathering relevant information from academic journals, official websites, and online news media. It suggests that the three aspects of Tri Hita Karana are being implemented in Bali’s paradiplomacy initiatives, highlighting: harmony from spiritual perspectives; harmony in strengthening people-to-people diplomacy; and harmony in preserving the environment as well as achieving sustainable development. Despite the existing challenges, Bali’s approach to paradiplomacy, shaped by Tri Hita Karana and the concept of islandness, serves as an example of how local values can guide international cooperation and connect to global collaboration.