Progress and Caution: Indonesia's Democracy

Indonesians have political power, freedom of voice, and an array of civil and political rights that fifteen years ago would have been unimaginable. It is undeniable how much positive change has occurred in such a short amount of time. Indonesia's experience, like other countries in Asia, serves as an example of both the successes in democratization and the difficulties and challenges in consolidating democracy. This article looks at the status of democracy in Indonesia today. It asks how well democracy has been consolidated in Indonesia and what the continued challenges are. It focuses specifically on four significant challenges: corruption, military abuses, protection of minority rights, and Islamic radicalism.