Oligarchy and the End of Reformasi in Indonesia

Offering an in-depth account of how the forces and institutions of oligarchy established their ascendancy in post-authoritarian Indonesia, this volume represents the new and updated edition of a highly influential study.

In the wake of neo-liberal markets and democracy being progressively replaced by a more state-centred and nationalist vision of Indonesia’s destiny, this new edition charts the evolution of oligarchic power following Jokowi’s rise to power. Chapters argue that the developments of the last decade, now shaping the presidency of Prabowo Subianto, represent the culmination of processes of power reorganisation and oligarchic consolidation set in motion during the early post-Soeharto period. The book challenges resurgent pluralist explanations about the relationship between democracy and market institutions, demonstrating how democratic politics, populist impulses, and oligarchic domination can ultimately co-exist and sustain each other.

This revised edition of one of the most highly cited and influential works on modern Indonesian politics will be suitable as a textbook on Indonesian and Southeast Asian society and economy. It will also be of interest to academics in Southeast Asian politics, as well as those interested in political economy, development and society in general.