ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses elite dynamics in the Special Autonomy negotiations between Papuan and central government elites as a response to the Papuans’ independence demands shortly after the fall of Soeharto’s authoritarian regime. This chapter highlights elite theory conceptions that the policy-making process, which involves negotiations among the key parties, is predominantly shaped by elites at the apex of power. But I discuss other important dynamics are also at play, and these do not typically feature in classical elite theory. I also reveal and analyse a new finding about why the Papuan elites were willing to compromise and finally accept the Special Autonomy offer from the central government. This analysis of the negotiations also helps to explain why Special Autonomy has not quelled demands for independence by many Papuans.
