Transnational democratic diffusion and Indonesian democracy discourses

Abstract

There is a wide variety of ideas on democracy and democratization represented among the Indonesian democratic opposition. What is most striking is the importance of Islam as a motivation and inspiration for demands for democracy. Islam, like any other religion, can promote democratic as well as antidemocratic ideas. It is clear that the struggle for democracy in Indonesia is mainly motivated and driven by the domestic situation and not at all manipulated from abroad, as is sometimes argued by the government. However, external influences seemed to be an important inspiration showing that change is possible. This encouraging effect is more important than the diffusion of specific ideas on democracy and democratization.