Reorganising Power in Indonesia: The Politics of Oligarchy in an Age of Markets

by Richard Robison, Vedi R. Hadiz

Reorganising Power in Indonesia is a new and distinctive analysis of the dramatic fall of Soeharto, the last of the great Cold War capitalist dictators, and of the struggles that reshape power and wealth in Indonesia. The dramatic events of the past two decades are understood essentially in terms of the rise of a complex politico-business oligarchy and the ongoing reorganisation of its power through successive crises, colonising and expropriating new political and market institutions. With the collapse of authoritarian rule, the authors propose that the way was left open for this oligarchy to reconstitute its power within society and the institutions of newly democratic Indonesia.

Genres: Nonfiction

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Ramdhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about how the oligarchs (a small group of people with material wealth who hold power in a country) adapted to the changes that occurred during the 1998 reform in Indonesia which was marked by the resignation of President Suharto from his post. Instead of being pushed out of their formerly advantageous places, these oligarchs adapted to the changes, consolidated themselves, and reinstated themselves into Indonesian politics where they could recoup the benefits they had before the reforms took place.
This book contains a very comprehensive study starting from the history of the oligarchs in Indonesia, how they dealt with the crises that occurred, and how they adapted, adjusted to the changes that occurred. Details of these historical events are also equipped with theories to complete the reader's understanding of why this happened.
This book is still very relevant to read today, where it has been more than 20 years that Indonesia has been carrying out reforms, but it has not really succeeded in achieving the expected democratic values ​​in accordance with the goals of reform.

[kaylanurul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you think Indonesia is becoming democratic after reformation? Think again! the top player might fall down, but the new emerging chain of power capture both politics and economy in a way Southeast Asian countries are so much prone falling into.