Marcus Mietzner explains how Indonesia has transformed its volatile post-authoritarian presidential system into one of the world's most stable through coalition building, integrating actors such as the military, police, bureaucracy, local governments, oligarchs, and Muslim groups. However, this inclusiveness has caused democratic decline, and presidents must observe the vested interests of each member when making policy decisions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 306 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Marcus Mietzner's Book on Indonesia's Presidential System

Marcus Mietzner's book, "The Coalitions Presidents Make," explores how Indonesia has transformed its volatile post-authoritarian presidential system into one of the world's most stable. Mietzner argues that since 2004, Indonesian presidents have employed nuanced strategies of coalition building to consolidate their authority and maintain regime stability. In contrast to other countries where presidents typically rely on parties and parliament as their primary partners, Mietzner highlights the inclusion of actors such as the military, police, bureaucracy, local governments, oligarchs, and Muslim groups in Indonesian presidential coalitions. This inclusiveness has contributed to the durability of Indonesia's presidential system, but it has also led to democratic decline. To ensure the stability of their coalitions, presidents must balance their own powers and interests with those of their partners, promoting patronage-oriented collaboration and discouraging confrontation.

Coalitions and Presidential Power

The book delves into the process through which presidents balance their own powers and interests with those of their partners, encouraging patronage-oriented collaboration and disincentivizing confrontation. Mietzner highlights the importance of understanding the vested interests of each member of a coalition in order to make policy decisions that are acceptable to all parties. This requires presidents to engage in extensive negotiations and compromise, which can be challenging in a country with a diverse range of political actors.

The Role of Actors in Indonesian Presidential Coalitions

In Indonesia, actors such as the military, police, bureaucracy, local governments, oligarchs, and Muslim groups are integrated into presidential coalitions by giving them the same status as parties and parliament. This inclusiveness has allowed presidents to maintain control over the government and has contributed to the stability of the regime. However, it has also led to the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals, which can be detrimental to democracy.

Democratic Decline in Indonesia

While Indonesia's presidential system has been successful in maintaining stability, it has also led to democratic decline. This is due to the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals, the lack of checks and balances, and the absence of a strong civil society. The book argues that these factors have contributed to the erosion of democratic institutions and the rise of authoritarianism in Indonesia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Marcus Mietzner's book, "The Coalitions Presidents Make," provides a comprehensive analysis of Indonesia's presidential system and its impact on democracy. The book highlights the strategies of coalition building employed by Indonesian presidents to consolidate their authority and maintain regime stability, as well as the challenges associated with this approach. By understanding the vested interests of each member of a coalition, presidents can make policy decisions that are acceptable to all parties and promote democratic governance. However, the book also warns of the dangers of excessive concentration of power and the need for checks and balances to ensure the stability of the regime.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501772658