Small Note about Ben

sTEVEn R . TaBoR Country Director Asian Development Bank, Jakarta.

I

was privileged to have Ben anderson as a graduate supervisor at Cornell University. at the time I was studying economics and southeast asian studies. During those years, I once asked Ben what he thought of economics as a discipline. He responded that his brother, at that time the editor of the New Left Review, was responsible for economics and that he looked after culture, power and all that was actually interesting in the world. Ben led a fascinating seminar on modern Indonesia at Cornell University. at the start of the term, he would hand out a reading list that ran some twenty-five pages long. Being a diligent student, I remember asking him, how could anyone possibly read so much to prepare for each lecture? His response was that if you want to understand these topics then this is what you must read. and his seminars were wonders to behold. Ben would look around the table and ask questions to prompt discussion. one of his famous questions was: “What does the Borobudur Temple and an american Express gold card have in common?” I answered that both are valuable and shiny. He looked at me, sighed, and remarked that both are physical manifestations of raw political power. never again did I look at either the Borobudur Temple or my american Express card in the same way. Ben anderson will be remembered as a brilliant scholar and a leader in his field. I will remember his a modest, gentle soul who demanded academic rigor, cross-disciplinary immersion and a thorough understanding of the cultural and political roots underpinning long periods of historical advance. Ben, your legacy survives and you are sorely missed.