Counter-insurgency research at the turn of the century: Snouck Hurgronje and the Acheh War

Samenvatting

A study of the relationships between cultural anthropologists and colonial governments highlights the case of C. Snouck Hurgronje, a famous student of Islam, who played an active role in the Acheh war at the turn of the century. It illustrates the way scholars of repute put their research at the service of a colonial government as a matter of course even in situations where this amounts to lending a hand in suppressing rebellious movements. Unmistakably, Snouck chose sides and fully identified himself with the colonial authorities, thus violating the confidence of the Achenese that he had succeeded in winning by his suave demeanor. The contemporary social researcher has to attend to a more basic mission: solidarity with the wretched of the earth. J. Shiffer.