ABSTRACT
This book set out to examine whether the enduring strength of Golkar in Indonesia’s post-Suharto party system can be explained as a result of uneven party institutionalization. Based on a theoretical model of party institutionalization proposed by Randall and Svåsand (2002a) the book developed an elaborate profile of Golkar, which highlighted the various strengths and weaknesses of the party in four interdependent yet analytically distinct dimensions. Following the detailed analysis of Golkar, a succinct comparative chapter examined the other six major Indonesian parties in accordance with the same institutionalization criteria applied to Golkar. This final chapter will now summarize the major findings of the previous analysis and answer the main questions of this study, namely whether Golkar is really better institutionalized than the other parties and, if so, whether this advantage has helped Golkar to maintain its strong position in Indonesian party politics.
