Pluralism and democracy in Indonesia: putting the new order in global perspective

Abstract

Pluralism and democracy ring a familiar note among scholars, activists, public intellectuals and the odd politician or two in post-colonial countries. However, both terms remain foreign to much of the rest of the population. The circles that easily engage these terms seem worlds apart from the many who display little interest in them or reject them outright. These circles may thus be viewed as small and at times disaffected minorities whose intellectual leanings and socio-cultural position lend themselves easily labelled as "Westernised," though the label may be quite undeserved.