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Indonesia: Democracy First, Good Governance Later
- from INDONESIA
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- By Douglas E. Ramage, Representative of the Asia Foundation, Jakarta
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- Book:
- Southeast Asian Affairs 2007
- Published by:
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Published online:
- 21 October 2015
- Print publication:
- 28 May 2007, pp 135-158
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Summary
Indonesia in 2006 is a stable country, with a democratic and decentralized system of government. After two years of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's leadership Indonesia is continuing on a path of democratic consolidation and taking important steps that will likely improve its economic performance over the medium to long term. Considering the depths of Indonesia's economic and political crises that preceded, and followed, the fall of the authoritarian regime in 1998, Indonesia ends 2006 in a rather enviable shape — the Republic is united and peace in Aceh was cemented with the remarkable passage by Parliament of the Law on the Governing of Aceh, justifiably having earned President Yudhoyono a nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize. The economy grew at 5.5 per cent, one of the highest levels in ASEAN and nearly matching the country's post-crisis high of 5.6 per cent in 2005. Most macroeconomic reforms are in place, although the investment climate — for both Indonesian and foreign firms — remains stubbornly unattractive. Indonesia is led by highly competent President Yudhoyono, with a generally strong political and macroeconomic cabinet team. In short, Indonesia is a stable democracy, facing a similar range of serious, though normal, challenges faced by other large developing democratic countries.
To appreciate Indonesia as a normal developing democracy today it is worth recalling what has been achieved since it threw off authoritarianism in 1998: a thriving free media, free labour unions, free political parties, an elected parliament passing a battery of reform legislation and checking the power of the presidency, thorough-going decentralization of political authorities, and solid economic recovery.
Some reforms have even moved with alacrity and tend to be unremarked and taken for granted today, but which reflect drive and commitment to democratic reform that could not have been imagined even a few years ago, particularly the disappearance of the armed forces from most aspects of national life. And in the past 18 months Indonesia has racked up perhaps the best record of any state in Asia of combating terrorism.
Indonesia at 50: Islam, Nationalism (and Democracy?)
- from Indonesia
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- By Douglas E. Ramage, University of Hawaii
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- Book:
- Southeast Asian Affairs 1996
- Published by:
- ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
- Published online:
- 21 October 2015
- Print publication:
- 22 February 1997, pp 147-165
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Summary
Introduction
In 1995, Indonesians celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic's proclamation of independence with deserved pride in the nation's accompishments. The year-long festivities marking Indonesia's golden anniversary included numerous commemorations of the nation's growth and stability, and solemn remembrances of the sacrifices of its revolutionary freedom fighters. None the less, the celebrations masked the profound concerns of Indonesia's political and intellectual élite who are increasingly fragmented and divided over key issues affecting the nation as they position themselves for the much anticipated post-Soeharto era.
Yet Indonesians do have much to celebrate. The country's economic achievements and successful social programmes have been internationally recognized and praised. The widely circulated World Bank report, The East Asian Miracle, pointedly identified Indonesia as one of East Asia's (and the world's) consistently “high-performing economies”. President Soeharto has received prestigious awards from United Nations agencies citing Indonesia's success in food self- sufficiency and population control. Indonesia's economic “miracle” has become well known and it is increasingly seen as a rapidly industrializing nation, eager to participate in the global economic community. Its per capita gross national product (GNP) has grown exponentially, from a mere US$60 in 1967 to approximately US$900 in 1995. The praise has been so fulsome, however, that it has obscured recognition of some shortcomings in Indonesia's economic growth, particularly in terms of the gap between those who have most benefited from development and the vast majority of the population which remains quite poor. None the less, poverty has been reduced and the quality of life for most Indonesians has measurably improved.
Most of the credit for Indonesia's economic and social policy successes must go to the New Order government of President Soeharto which has ruled for nearly thirty years. In part, Indonesians in 1995 celebrated and acknowledged the New Order's success as well as fifty years of national independence. Indo- nesia's economic growth and general improvements in most social and quality of life indicators date from the replacement of the “Old Order” of President Soekarno with the “New Order” development-oriented government of General, later President, Soeharto.