Indonesia, a presidential democracy, is the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world and the fourth most populated on earth. It is also the largest nation in Southeast Asia—Indonesia’s archipelago of over 18,000 islands stretches the distance from Seattle to Boston. In this episode, Senior Fellow Jonathan Stromseth interviews Tom Pepinsky, a professor at Cornell University and nonresident senior fellow at Brookings, about democracy in Indonesia. The two discuss the history of Indonesia’s transition to democracy, the upcoming (in April) presidential election, the roles of Islam and the military, and relations between Indonesia and the United States.
Also, on today’s show, Senior Fellow Molly Reynolds offers her regular insight
into what’s happening in congress.
Related content:
Democracy at a crossroads in Southeast Asia: Great power rivalry meets domestic governance
Power and diplomacy in Southeast Asia
Intro to Southeast Asia: Diversity, security, and politics
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Authors
Commentary
PodcastIndonesia, an unlikely democracy
Jonathan Stromseth,
Jonathan Stromseth
Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asian Studies,
Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, Center for East Asia Policy Studies, John L. Thornton China Center
@j_stromseth
Thomas Pepinsky, and
Thomas Pepinsky
Nonresident Senior Fellow
- Foreign Policy, Center for East Asia Policy Studies
@tompepinsky
Fred Dews
Fred Dews
Managing Editor, New Digital Products
- Office of Communications
@publichistory
March 15, 2019