ABSTRACT
President Suharto’s resignation on 21 May 1998, after nearly 33 years in power, launched Indonesia on an uncertain path of democratic transition. Since then, major political and constitutional reforms have significantly enlarged the scope for association and mobilization across civil society. However, these political gains have been diminished by significant social and economic disruptions that cast doubt as to whether Indonesia will be able to achieve effective democratic consolidation,1 or will again fall under military control or another form of authoritarian rule.
