Emerging Democracy in Indonesia

Emerging Democracy in Indonesia
Date of publication:  2005
Number of pages:  188
Code:  BM284

Reviews

"... this very well-researched book is a remarkable and crucial documentation of Indonesian history because: 1. it provides comprehensive data, statistics, and information on the parties and who's who of 2004 elections; 2. it describes in detail the processes and procedures of the elections from the highest level (parliamentary and assembly level), to the provincial level and finally, to the final rounds of the presidential elections; and 3. it gives in-depth analysis on the success factors behind the victory of the Susilo-Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Jusuf Kalla (JK) partnership, touches on their achievements in their first 100 days in office, and signals the big challenges awaiting them as the quest for democracy in the country continues" (Asian Journal of Social Science).

About the publication

The authoritarian regime under Soeharto ended in May 1998 and was replaced by a democratic process as manifested in the 1999 election. In 2004, Indonesia had a second democratic election which was also conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner. With 24 political parties, more than half a million polling stations and 150 million eligible voters, the Indonesian election in 2004 was probably one of the largest single-day electoral events in human history.
           Indeed, it is significant that Indonesia -- the country with the worlds largest number of Muslims -- has taken major steps towards consolidation of democratic institutions. The notion of citizenry participation has begun to take root. This book discusses Indonesias transition towards democracy through the parliamentary and presidential elections, including an analysis of party activity in the provinces, in 2004.
           The country still has some distance to travel along the road to democracy. But in the words of the new President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, What I promised the Indonesian voters was quite simple: to do my best to make Indonesia more democratic, more peaceful, more just, more prosperous. And I intend to keep that promise. (Singapore, 16 February 2005)

Contents

  • Emerging Democracy in Indonesia
  • Preliminary pages
  • Introduction: The Road to Democracy
  • 1. Democracy at Work: The 2004 Parliamentary Elections
  • 2. Political Parties at the Provincial Level: A Colourful Landscape
  • 3. No New President Yet: The First Contest
  • 4. A New President Emerges: The Second Round
  • 5. Peaceful Transition towards Democracy
  • Appendices
  • Selected References
  • Index

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