Interpreting Indonesian Politics

This book comprises a collection of papers written over a 20-year period, presenting the author's analysis and reflections on the political and economic situation of the country and tracing the growth of Indonesia as a nation from the time Suharto took over the reins of government in 1965. The author proposes a framework within which Indonesian politics could be studied, highlighting the basic factors which dominate the Indonesian political scene, such as the role of the military, Islam and the highly active and vocal students, and exploring their political interaction which makes this study so relevant. When the book was being prepared, Suharto was still in power. With the resignation of Suharto as president in May 1998, this book has also included a chapter on the fall of Suharto and the rise of Habibie.