The Army and Politics in Indonesia

Equinox Classic Indonesia

by Harold Crouch

A comprehensive description of the Indonesian Army's history of political involvement. Crouch's incredible knowledge of so many facets of intrigue and manipulation, of names, dates, enemies and friends, and specific circumstances under which each attempted coup and counter effort was made if phenomenal. His attention to the supporting literature and his own personal experiences in-country certainly would indicate that Mr. Crouch is a - if not the - leading expert in this complex and bewildering subject. Highly recommended. - Reviews of New Books in Political Science The author has produced the most thorough and balanced account of contemporary Indonesian politics yet to appear in print. - Canadian Journal of Political Science A valuable contribution to our knowledge of modern Indonesia. - Journal of Southeast Asian Studies In this highly-respected work, Harold Crouch analyzes the role of the Indonesian Army in that country's politics, putting special emphasis on the Sukarno years, the gradual takeover of power by the military, and the nature of Suharto's New Order government. The Army and Politics in Indonesia is now updated with a new preface and epilogue that expands the book's coverage to the 1980s. HAROLD CROUCH is a Senior Fellow in the Department of Political and Social Change, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University where his research is concerned with Southeast Asian politics. He taught political science at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta from 1968 to 1971 and in the Department of Political Science at the National University of Malaysia from 1976 to 1990.

Genres: Politics, Indonesian Literature, History, Banned Books

384 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1978

Reviews

[Jonah Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Army and Politics remains the most readable and standard text on the elite politics- transition between the Sukarno and Soeharto period. Crouch makes a convincing case that military politics in Indonesia can only be understood through narrating the late Sukarno period through to the early Suharto period. I would note that this is crucial for characterizing AH Nasution and the Kodams Brawijaya and Diponegoro.

He also makes a good narrative case for separating G30S from the military seizure of power months later.

Two weaknesses: the G30S section is unfortunately dated by newer contributions by Roosa, Melvin. Lastly, the writing lacks some colour - Jenkins is probably preferable for coverage on the 70s onwards.

[Arys Aditya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crouch benar, pergerakan internal militer membawa pengaruh sangat signifikan bagi keseluruhan hidup negeri ini. Bahkan hingga sekarang. Pelacakan yang dilakukan Crouch, utamanya di era kemerdekaan sampai jaman Nasution-Soeharto, barangkali masih bisa digunakan sebagai peta yang menuntun kita untuk memahami tipikal dan perilaku militer Indonesia.
Saya kira mahasiswa yang bergelut dengan sistem politik perlu membaca buku ini. Karena sampai saat inipun, saya masih yakin kalau negeri ini adalah negeri praetorian, dimana demokrasi sebagai sistem masih 'kalah jurus' oleh para purnawirawan militer.

[Ernest · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty dated read- at least on my edition, but great in charting the numerous factions and interest groups in the army across a tumultuous period of Indonesian history. The attention paid to individual figures never becomes obsessive, and Crouch certainly is aware of numerous other factors, from economic development to political Islam that make give this book the nuance needed to navigate this time period. Recommended.