Based on extensive original research, this book examines the role of the military in Indonesian politics. Looking at the role of the military historically, its involvement in politics and also considers how its role might develop.

The military is one of the few institutions that cut across the divides of Indonesian society. As it continues to play a critical part in determining Indonesia's future, the military itself is undergoing profound change. The authors of this book examine the role of the military in politics and society since the fall of President Suharto in 1998. They present several strategic scenarios for Indonesia, which have important implications for U.S.-Indonesian relations, and propose goals for Indonesian military reform and elements of a U.S. engagement policy.

The military is one of the few institutions that cut across the divides of Indonesian society. As it continues to play a critical part in determining Indonesia's future, the military itself is undergoing profound change. The authors of this book examine the role of the military in politics and society since the fall of President Suharto in 1998. They present several strategic scenarios for Indonesia, which have important implications for U.S.-Indonesian relations, and propose goals for Indonesian military reform and elements of a U.S. engagement policy.

A comprehensive description of the Indonesian Army's history of political involvement. Crouch's incredible knowledge of so many facets of intrigue and manipulation, of names, dates, enemies and friends, and specific circumstances under which each attempted coup and counter effort was made if phenomenal. His attention to the supporting literature and his own personal experiences in-country certainly would indicate that Mr. Crouch is a - if not the - leading expert in this complex and bewildering subject. Highly recommended. - Perspective: Reviews of New Books in Political Science The author has produced the most thorough and balanced account of contemporary Indonesian politics yet to appear in print. - Canadian Journal of Political Science A valuable contribution to our knowledge of modern Indonesia. - Journal of Southeast Asian Studies In this highly-respected work, Harold Crouch analyzes the role of the Indonesian Army in that country's politics, putting special emphasis on the Sukarno years, the gradual takeover of power by the military, and the nature of Suharto's New Order government. The Army and Politics in Indonesia is now updated with a new preface and epilogue that expands the book's coverage to the 1980s. HAROLD CROUCH is a Senior Fellow in the Department of Political and Social Change, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University where his research is concerned with Southeast Asian politics. He taught political science at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta from 1968 to 1971 and in the Department of Political Science at the National University of Malaysia from 1976 to 1990.

Based on a decade of research in Indonesia, this book provides an in-depth account of the military's struggle to adapt to the new democratic system after the downfall of Suharto's authoritarian regime in 1998. Unlike other studies of the Indonesian armed forces, which focus exclusively on internal military developments, Mietzner's study emphasizes the importance of conflicts among civilians in determining the extent of military involvement in political affairs. Analysing disputes between Indonesia's main Muslim groups, Mietzner argues that their intense rivalry between 1998 and 2004 allowed the military to extend its engagement in politics and protect its institutional interests. The stabilization of the civilian polity after 2004, in contrast, has led to an increasing marginalization of the armed forces from the power centre. Drawing broader conclusions from these events for Indonesia's ongoing process of democratic consolidation, the book shows that the future role of the armed forces in politics will largely depend on the ability of civilian leaders to maintain functioning democratic institutions and procedures.

Explains how the Indonesian military has been able to secure a dominant political role, attributing this to the fact that it has been involved in politics since its inception as a self-created army. First published in 1991 by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore.