The Vortex of Power : Intellectuals and Politics in Indonesia's Post-Authoritarian Era

"This book explores the role of intellectuals and governance processes in post-authoritarian Indonesia. Focusing on East Java, the author argues that intellectuals have played an increasingly direct and practical role in the exercise of governance at the local level of Indonesian politics. The book provides insights into how the collaboration between intellectuals and local politico-business elites has shaped good governance and democratic institution-building, validating power structures that continue to obstruct political participation in the country. In addition, the book also delves into the contribution of local intellectuals in resolving the contradictions between technocratic ideas and governance practices, in the interest of local elites. Empirical studies included in the book add to the broader literature on the social role of intellectuals, highlighting their role as not just defined by their capacity to produce and circulate knowledge, but also by their particular position in concrete social and political struggle. The author also explores the manner in which relationships between intellectuals, business and political elites and NGOs in local political and economic practices, intersect with national-level contests over power and resources"--back cover Preface Acknowledgement Contents Chapter 1: Introduction The Book’s Argument Methodological Confessions The Book’s Structure Bibliography Chapter 2: Intellectuals and the Politics of Good Governance: Theoretical Considerations Introduction Intellectuals and Power Struggles Intellectuals and Governance: Theoretical Approaches The Neo-institutional Approach Neo-institutionalism and Development Neo-institutionalism and Decentralisation Neo-institutionalism, Intellectuals and Social Capital The Neo-Foucauldian Critique: Knowledge and Power The Neo-Gramscian Critique: A New Imperialist Logic? The Embedded Social Conflict Approach Intellectuals and Power Struggles in Comparative Perspective Intellectuals and Power in the United Kingdom and the United States Intellectuals and Power Struggles in Latin America Intellectuals and Social Struggle in Southeast Asia Conclusion Bibliography Chapter 3: Historical Context of the Relationship Between East Javanese Intellectuals and the Political Elite Introduction A Brief Overview on the State and Intellectuals’ Relationship The Early Period of New Order (1966–72) The Political Economy Constellation from the Transition Period into the New Order Era Hegemony and Repression in Early Period of the New Order The Heyday of the New Order (1972–88) The Political Economy Constellation During the Heyday of the New Order Era The Hegemony and Coercion Strategy During the Heyday of the New Order The Late Soeharto Era Intellectuals and Social Struggle in the Late Soeharto Era Conclusion Bibliography Chapter 4: The Windfall of Post-authoritarian Introduction The Political-Economic Constellation of Early Indonesian Post-authoritarianism Intellectuals and Social Struggle in the Post-authoritarian Era Student Activists’ Position The Academic Position The Position of NGO Activists The Role of Consultant in the Political Field Conclusion Bibliography Chapter 5: Building a New Political Structure in Post-­authoritarian East Java: The New Role of Intellectuals Introduction Academics, Power and Networks The Political Economy Context of Local Elections Money Politics in East Java Local Elections Elections and Political Co-optation The Subjugation of Social Activists Domesticating Journalists and Academics Academics, Fraudulent Strategy and Utilisation of the Neo-institutional Discourse Conclusion Bibliography Chapter 6: Intellectuals in the Rebuilding of Political Power in Post-authoritarian Indonesia Introduction The Role of Intellectuals: Producing Consent Without Coercion Appropriating Social Assistance to Consolidate Local Power Local Development and Material Incentives Conclusion Bibliography Chapter 7: Intellectuals and the Disorganised Social Movements in East Java: The Lapindo Mudflow Case Introduction The Chronology of the Lapindo Case and State Policies Geologist Split Financial Settlement and Solution Intellectuals in the Lapindo Struggle Pagar Rekontrak GKLL (the Lapindo Mudflow Victims’ Coalition) Geppress (the Movement for Supporting Presidential Regulation No. 14/2007) The Pro-Lapindo Intellectuals The Limit of Civil Society Conclusion Bibliography Chapter 8: Conclusion Bibliography Bibliography Index