Indonesian Politics Under Suharto: Order, Development and Pressure for Change (Politics in Asia) [Paperback]

M. Vatikiotis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415107075 | ISBN-13: 978-0415107075 | Publication Date: June 1994 | Edition: 2

After twenty-five years in power, President Suharto and his New Order government confront a crisis of renewal. The regime, which swept to power in the wake of a military putsch in 1965, has brought enduring stability and economic prosperity to the country, but has shown no inclination to pass the reigns of power to the next generation. As a result, pressures for political change are building up. This book offers an informed and balanced analysis of Suharto's new order as it approaches a crucial political juncture. Indonesia's remarkable political stability has for the most part kept the country out of the headlines. Quietly, Indonesia has moved into a strong position just behind other fast-growing economies in the region. Employing widely-applauded liberal economic reforms and granting more freedom to the private sector, the government has transformed Indonesia's commodity-dependent economy into a nascent regional industrial dynamo. But now, economic success is running up against domestic political uncertainties. The author reassesses the New Order's fiery origins and its military roots and evaluates the considerable economic progress achieved under Suharto. He also analyses Suharto himself, a man whose low international profile and uncharismatic style have made him one of the least understood and most intriguing long-serving leaders. This revised edition has a completely new chapter to bring the book right up to date.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a readable, well-informed and judicious introduction to the ``New Order,'' and the figures who have shaped it." -- Times Literary Supplement

"...this excellent survey of Indonesian politics in the 1980s and early 1990s...outlines the diversity of the world's fifth most populous nation..." -- International Herald Tribune

About the Author

Michael R. J. Vatikiotis is Malaysian Bureau Chief and ASEAN correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2 edition (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415107075
• ISBN-13: 978-0415107075
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,668,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars About the essence of Indonesia:its people, its gains & pains, January 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Indonesian Politics Under Suharto: Order, Development and Pressure for Change (Politics in Asia) (Paperback)

A most enjoyable, well-informed introduction to--and enlightenment towards--the country and its people during a longest era called the "New Order." Readers will be introduced to the unbelievable Suharto in the first chapter, before they are taken to a journey to the what's-been-going-on: development process, democracy, society, succession,etc. Readers will only put down the book after being able to envision what will happen to a fragility at the end of the millenium.