Examining the Current State of Indonesian Democracy: Elite’s Perspective

This study aims to examine the views of Indonesian elites on the current state of Indonesian democracy. Various studies show that Indonesia is experiencing a democratic decline. But that view immediately triggered criticism. The first criticism sees that the view contains a western bias because most of the literature that carries the opinion was written by academics from outside Indonesia who wants to impose democratic measures in their home country on the Indonesian case. The second criticism sees that view represents merely public’s view that tends to be critical of the status quo and see politicians as corrupt. Departing from this situation, it is interesting to see their views about whether or not the democracy is in decline. If so, to what extent and why? As a method, this study will combine survey and in-depth interviews with 38 elites in Indonesia who are selected through a strict method. These elites have various backgrounds from politicians to academics, journalists, civil society activists, religious leaders and students. From the research, it will find a view of the latest situation of Indonesian democracy from an insider's perspective, namely the elite perspective which arguable has an important role in determining the future of the democratic consolidation in this country.