Elites&#039; Cohesion and Democratization: Civilian Control over the Military in Post-Soeharto Indonesia

Dr. Bangkit Rahmat Tri Widodo M.A.

doi:10.5771/9783748972389

Summary

Why does democratic civilian control over the military remain fragile in post-Soeharto Indonesia? This book argues that its durability depends not only on formal institutions, but also on the cohesion of political elites. Through a close analysis of Indonesia’s post-authoritarian transformation, it shows why democratic consolidation has remained uneven and why civil-military relations continue to be contested. The study is relevant for scholars, policymakers, and readers interested in democracy, elite politics, and Southeast Asia.

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Bibliographic data

Edition: 1/2026
Copyright Year: 2026
ISBN-Print: 978-3-7560-4034-6
ISBN-Online: 978-3-7489-7238-9
Publisher: Nomos, Baden-Baden
Series: Transformation, Development, and Regionalization in Greater Asia
Volume: 18
Language: English
Pages: 394
Product Type: Monograph

1. Abstract No access
2. Acknowledgment No access
3. List of Abbreviations No access
1. 1.1 Literature Review No access
2. 1.2 Scope, Hypotheses, and Structure of the Study No access
1. 2.1 Selecting the Methodology and Method No access
2. 2.2 Case Selection No access
3. 2.3 Data Collection No access
4. 2.4 Limitations and Potential Biases No access
1. 3.1 Structure of the Theoretical Framework No access
2. 1. 3.2.1 Theoretical Concept of Elite No access
  2. 3.2.2 Elite’s Political Cohesion No access
  3. 3.2.3 Dimensions of Change in Elite Relations No access
  4. 3.2.4 Elite Cohesion and Democracy No access
3. 1. 3.3.1 An Overview of Civil-Military Relations No access
  2. 1. 3.3.2.1 Degrees of Civilian Control No access
    2. 3.3.2.2 Civilian Control Mechanisms No access
    3. 3.3.2.3 Assessing Civilian Control over the Military No access
4. 1. 3.4.1 Democratic Transition No access
  2. 3.4.2 Democratic Consolidation No access
5. 1. 3.5.1 Civilian and Military Elites in the Civilian Control Framework No access
  2. 3.5.2 Authoritative Elites’ Differentiation and Cohesion No access
  3. 1. 3.5.3.1 Military Institutional Legacy and Its Internal Cohesion No access
    2. 3.5.3.2 Political Environment No access
    3. 3.5.3.3 Security Environment No access
    4. 3.5.3.4 Public Pressures No access
  4. 3.5.4 Elites’ Political Cohesion, Civilian Control over the Military, and Democratization No access
1. 4.1 Military in Indonesian Politics Before the Soeharto Era No access
2. 4.2 Military in Indonesian Politics during the Soeharto Era No access
3. 4.3 Military Politics after the Soeharto Era No access
4. 4.4 Unfinished Reform and the Path Toward Democratic Consolidation No access
1. 1. 1. 5.1.1.1 Institutional Legacy and Post-Soeharto Military’s Internal Cohesion No access
    2. 5.1.1.2 The Impact of the Post-Soeharto Political Environment on the Elites’ Political Cohesion No access
  2. 1. 5.1.2.1 The Prominent Role of the Security Aspect on the Political Cohesion of the Post-Soeharto Elites No access
    2. 5.1.2.2 Public Pressures and Political Cohesion of Post-Soeharto Elites No access
2. 5.2 The Complex Interplay of Elite Internal Factors and External Pressures in Shaping Civilian Control over the Military No access
1. 1. 6.1.1 Habibie’s Civilian Control over the Military No access
  2. 6.1.2 Wahid’s Civilian Control over the Military No access
  3. 6.1.3 Megawati’s Civilian Control over the Military No access
  4. 6.1.4 Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Civilian Control over the Military No access
  5. 6.1.5 Joko Widodo’s Civilian Control over the Military (2014-2019) No access
2. 1. 6.2.1 Democratic Stagnation in Post-Soeharto Indonesia No access
  2. 6.2.2 Indonesia’s Future Path to Democratic Consolidation No access
  3. 6.2.3 Conceptual Framework for Analyzing No access
7. Conclusion No access Pages 365 - 372
Bibliography No access Pages 373 - 394