Party Politics and Democratization in Indonesia Golkar in the post-Suharto era [Paperback]

Party Politics and Democratization in Indonesia: Golkar in the Post-Suharto Eraprovides the first in-depth analysis of contemporary Indonesian party politics and the first systematic explanation why Golkar is still the strongest party in Indonesia.

Applying a multi-dimensional conceptual framework of party institutionalization theory, the book examines Golkars organizational infrastructure, its decisional autonomy and programmatic platform as well as the partys relations to the mass media. Strengths and weaknesses in the individual dimensions of institutionalization are then contrasted with the corresponding levels of institutionalization reached by Indonesias other major parties. Tomsa argues that Golkar remains Indonesias strongest party because it is better institutionalized than its electoral competitors. However, while highlighting the former regime partys strengths in key aspects of party institutionalization, he also shows that Golkar also has some considerable institutional weaknesses which in 2004 prevented the party from achieving an even better result in the general election

As an empirical study on Golkar, and Indonesia's other major political parties, this book will be of huge interest to students and scholars of Southeast Asian politics, political parties and elections and democratization.

1. Introduction: The Remarkable Resilience of Golkar  2. Theoretical Reflections: Protracted Transitions, Uneven Party Institutionalization and the Special Role of Former Hegemonic Parties  3. Systemness: Deconstructing the Myth of Golkars Party Machinery   4. Decisional Autonomy: The Main Problems Lurk Inside the Party  5. Value Infusion: In Search of Golkars Roots  6. Party Reification: Mastering the Use of Symbols and the Pitfalls of Political Communication  7. Gauging Uneven Party Institutionalization: How Strong are the Others?  8. ColS+