Research project on Political Parties
The 2004 Indonesian Elections: How the System Works and What the Parties Stand For
|
In
early 2004 CDI commissioned a study of political parties and the
new electoral system in Indonesia. The research was motivated by
an awareness that, in a year of national and regional parliamentary
and presidential elections in Indonesia, little was known outside
Indonesia about the country’s political parties and how they
were likely to operate in the context of recent constitutional and
electoral reforms. The study was undertaken by Dr Stephen Sherlock,
a consultant on governance and political change in Indonesia.
|
 |
|
Dr
Stephen Sherlock
|
|
|
The
study outlines the details of Indonesia’s new constitutional
and electoral process and analyses the effects that the new system
may have on the future conduct of Indonesian politics. It provides
a guide to the major political parties, their historical and social
origins and their place in the spectrum of ideological, religious
and regional divisions. The paper concludes that, despite the recent
arrival of democratic politics in Indonesia, political parties have
strong social roots and clearly defined electoral constituencies.
But the parties remain elitist and centralised organisations and,
to date, they have failed to use their connections in society to
develop policy platforms that would articulate the interests and
demands of their supporters. Parties continue to rely on their connections
with powerful patrons and community leaders and to campaign on general
promises and appeals to symbols and personalities. Indonesia has
taken great strides towards the consolidation of democratic institutions
in recent times, but the infusion of a culture of popular participation
and accountability has only just begun.
|
|
Full Paper
pdf
| rtf
| doc
Sydney Morning Herald features CDI report pdf
| rtf
| doc
