Work Diary

Blog #4

I thought I might use this blog, among other things, to keep a log of things I need or intend to do. In this way, you, my faithful readers, will get an impression of what research I am doing here (yes, I am actually doing work, research is work, and so is a PhD thesis), as well as setting myself targets. I hope that setting myself up like this will provide me the structure and further incentive to complete these tasks. I guess I’ll feel that you can keep me accountable in a way; more psychological than any other form of pressure. I doubt any of you will come over here and berate me in person. You can always send me emails I guess… And I would always welcome visitors!

I had a very busy weekend. I think I already mentioned going to the baptismal after party in Hera. One of the tyres blew out on the way home but it was replaced with the spare is very short time. I was very impressed.

So, on Sunday, I went out to One Dollar Beach at the invitation of Jose to meet up with a group of students and other groups involved in ‘peace studies’. The morning started off with some difficulty; I knew that something was going on but I wasn’t sure what time. I was dozing, as one does on a Sunday morning, when I was given a call. My ride was ready to go immediately. I was given ten minutes to get organised. Fortunately the most important part of any morning, coffee, was prepared with some biscuits.

Eventually we got out to the beach. It really is quite beautiful, and there weren’t many people around. Had a bit of a swim, some lunch and some good conversations. I made quite a few contacts there and meet someone who might be able to help me out as a research assistant. I hope to have further conversations with the participants of this group in relations to my research.

Essentially, my goal here is to gather data on the strength of political parties, in so far as they have strong roots and presence here. In other words, measuring the degree of institutionalisation of parties in society. How far have parties penetrated the minds and lives of ordinary people? That’s a pretty basic description of it. The framework I’m drawing on is more detailed and systematic than that. One of my advisors suggested that to make my thesis and contribution to the literature more interesting and involved, I should consider coming up with something new, something unique from the case of Timor-Leste. He suggested something along the lines of post-conflict, post-intervention kind of material. I think there is a way to link these ideas to the subjects raised, for example, by the peace studies group. How can parties act as vehicles for stability and forging consensus over an inclusive national identity. This is all just me throwing ideas around at this stage, though. I’m doing more reading around it at the moment.

I’m keen to get some interviews done, get the ball rolling and build up some momentum. I’ve got a couple of provisional interviews already arranged so that makes me feel more relaxed. I’m going to be aiming to have some case studies outside of Dili. So much of the political focus is on Dili I find. This is another way to help make an original contribution to the literature, while also getting a broader and more representative sample of data. I’m thinking of Baucau, Liquica, and Aileu at the moment. Reckon that’s a reasonable range of case studies from across the geographic and political map of Timor. Maybe Oecussi if I can organise it.

What else is going on…? I’m looking at writing some material on the benefits of reforms to the electoral system. I might leave this to another blog… Hmmm. I seem to be in good shape. Getting plenty of decent food; rice, fish or meat, veges and salad. Not drinking much. Not needing a nightcap of Smirnoff any more, which is a relief. Time is going so quickly!!!