Gender and Politics in Post-Reformasi Indonesia : Women Leaders Within Local Oligarchy Networks

This book employs a gendered perspective to uncover an in-depth understanding of the political role of women leaders in local government in Indonesia. Beginning with the story of two women who successfully won the local elections in Indramayu in 2010 and Tangerang Selatan in 2011, respectively, the book uses their experiences as a point of departure to present a discussion on female political leaders’ part within the larger political dynastic structure in Indonesia. The book explores the multiple challenges and difficulties that these women encountered in reaching power and in promoting local democracy, highlighting the patriarchal nature of the oligarchy. In doing so, this book provides a rich empirical account of the current features of female political leaders and their political and familial, linkages. The research, thus, contributes significantly to the work of scholars and political activists seeking to unpack the process and progress of democratization in post-reformasi Indonesia, in which women’s political participation and leadership are an inevitable and vital part. In doing so, the book champions how Indonesian women are playing an increasingly important role in the democratic process, even in the face of the enduring challenges posed by familial ties and political dynasty factors that continue to hinder democratization—trends that are also prevalent across multiple Southeast Asian countries in the twenty-first century. Relevant to scholars and students situated at the intersection of gender and politics, this translated and updated co-publication is a tour de force, led by one of Indonesia’s seminal scholars in women’s studies. Notes from Publisher 5 Foreword 6 Preface 8 Contents 10 Editor and Contributors 11 Abbreviations 13 List of Figures 15 List of Tables 17 1 The Emergence of Women Local Leaders in Indonesia’s Reformation Era and the Presence of Familial Ties Factor 19 1 The Emergence of Women Local Leaders with Familial Ties 19 2 Position of the Book 23 3 Literature Review and Conceptual Framework 24 3.1 Women Leaders with Familial Ties 24 3.2 Familial Ties Factor and Oligarchy 26 3.3 Local Democratization and Practical Gender Interests 27 Bibliography 35 2 Airin Rachmi Diany’s Position Within Local Oligarchy Network in South Tangerang 39 1 Preconditions for Airin Rachmy Diany’s Emergence in Tangsel 39 1.1 Historical Aspect, Regional Development, and Social-Economic Structure 39 1.2 Local Political Configuration 46 2 Map of Local Political Elite and Airin's Position 49 2.1 Map of Local Political Elites in Banten Province 49 2.2 Airin’s Position in Chasan Sochib’s Oligarchy Network and Dynasty 51 3 Airin's Narratives in Tangsel Direct Local Elections in 2010 and 2015 60 4 Airin’s Leadership Quality 65 5 Conclusion 68 Bibliography 70 3 Airin Rachmi Diany’s Performance in Promoting Local Democratization and Practical Gender Interests in South Tangerang 75 1 Vision and Mission of Woman Local Leader Regarding Local Democratization and Practical Gender Interests in Tangsel City 75 2 Airin’s Performance in Promoting Local Democratization 77 3 Airin’s Performance in Encouraging Practical Gender Interests 85 4 Budget for Women and Children 93 5 Conclusion 95 Bibliography 95 4 The Position of Woman Local Leader Within Oligarchy Network: Anna Sophanah in Indramayu 99 1 The Condition of Indramayu District 100 2 The Socio-Political, Economic, and Historical Conditions in Indramayu District that Allow Anna Sophanah’s Emergence 103 3 Anna Sophanah’s Position in the Oligarchy Network at the Local Level 109 4 Conclusion 114 Bibliography 114 5 Anna Sophanah’s Performance in Promoting Local Democratization and Practical Gender Interests in Indramayu 118 1 Anna’s Vision and Mission for Local Democratization and Practical Gender Interests 119 2 Anna Sophanah’s Performance in Promoting Local Democratization 123 3 Anna Sophanah’s Performance in Promoting Practical Gender Interest 128 3.1 The Achievements of Indramayu District 129 3.2 Challenges for Anna Sophanah as the District Head of Indramayu 132 4 Conclusion 140 Bibliography 141 6 The Position and Performance of Women Local Leaders Within Local Oligarchy Networks: Case of South Tangerang and Indramayu 144 1 Local Socio-Political, Economic, and Historical Conditions Facilitating the Emergence of Women Local Leaders Within Local Oligarchy Networks 145 2 The Positions of Women Local Leaders: Individual and Political 149 3 The Performance of Women Local Leaders in Promoting Local Democratization 151 4 The Performance of Women Local Leaders in Promoting Practical Gender Interests 153 Bibliography 156 7 Women Local Leaders Within Local Oligarchy Networks in Post-Reformasi Indonesia: Existing Conditions and Challenges 158 1 Women Leaders within Local Oligarchy Networks: Difficulties to Promote Local Democratization and Practical Gender Interests 158 2 Further Research and Suggestions 161 Bibliography 162 Index 164