Democratic Transition and Political Development in Post-Soeharto Indonesia

This article analyses the prospects for, and possible challenges to democracy and constitutional liberalism in Indonesia. A retreat or a diversion from this goal could be disastrous, economically and politically. The Asian financial crisis highlighted fundamental elements of the Indonesian system that needed to be changed. Religious, ethnic, regional and socio-economic tensions that engulf Indonesia today are the result of authoritarian governance under Soeharto's New Order. Democratic governance alone can correct that anomaly. Indonesia's transition to democracy at the moment is messy but democratization is a long, necessary and complex struggle.