Widodo is repressing Indonesian student and labor protesters in ways reminiscent of past dictators like Suharto—with a new digital twist.
To sustainably plug its funding shortfall and bridge its income gap, Indonesia must tap more into global value chains and capitalize on its greatest asset: its people.
From long-established democracies like India to newer ones like Indonesia, deep-seated sociopolitical divisions have become increasingly inflamed in recent years, fueling democratic erosion and societal discord.
Sitting on China’s doorstep, Southeast Asia initially seemed especially vulnerable but is so far coping comparatively well with the coronavirus pandemic. Yet this resilience—long a hallmark of the region’s politics—comes with some grim downsides.
Indonesia’s coronavirus response has been set back by misplaced priorities and a distrust of data. Without a course correction, the country could pay steep long-term costs.
Carnegie President Bill Burns will host Chef Andrés for a wide-ranging and timely conversation, part of The Morton and Sheppie Abramowitz Lecture Series.
A planned electoral overhaul in Indonesia will reverse democratic gains.
Polarization is shaking societies across the world, from new democracies to long-established ones. Why are political divisions intensifying globally, and what can policymakers learn from other countries’ experiences?
Although most influential politicians in Indonesia are linked to powerful political families or the military, Jokowi rose to prominence as an outsider.But that is why his government’s active participation in formulating a series of regressive laws has enraged his supporters.
As President Joko Widodo looks ahead to his second-term inaugural next month, huge challenges lie ahead and some contradictions remain unresolved, including latent social cleavages, the evolving role of Islam in political life, and tough economic choices.


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