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. Airlangga Pribadi Kusman is a Lecturer in Politics, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Airlangga University. He is also the Director of CSCS (Centre for Statecraft and Citizenship Studies), Airlangga University. He completed his PhD in Politics at Murdoch University's Asia Research Centre. His research interests include governance studies, political economy of development, civil society and social movement studies, politics and religion studies, local politics studies, and democratization studies.-- Provided by publisher "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 Front Matter ....Pages i-xi Introduction (Airlangga Pribadi Kusman)....Pages 1-14 Intellectuals and the Politics of Good Governance: Theoretical Considerations (Airlangga Pribadi Kusman)....Pages 15-56 Historical Context of the Relationship Between East Javanese Intellectuals and the Political Elite (Airlangga Pribadi Kusman)....Pages 57-103 The Windfall of Post-authoritarian (Airlangga Pribadi Kusman)....Pages 105-125 Building a New Political Structure in Post-authoritarian East Java: The New Role of Intellectuals (Airlangga Pribadi Kusman)....Pages 127-163 Intellectuals in the Rebuilding of Political Power in Post-authoritarian Indonesia (Airlangga Pribadi Kusman)....Pages 165-191 Intellectuals and the Disorganised Social Movements in East Java: The Lapindo Mudflow Case (Airlangga Pribadi Kusman)....Pages 193-236 Conclusion (Airlangga Pribadi Kusman)....Pages 237-243 Back Matter ....Pages 245-272