Since the campaign leading to 2014’s election of Jokowi as President, Indonesia has been undergoing what appears to be a transition from a national politics characterized by ideological homogeneity to one of emerging ideological contestation. This talk will argue that following the Reformasi period’s end in 2013, expectations of further political liberalization have, in turn, provoked an increasingly militant conservative response.

These expectations were encouraged by urban, middle-class supporters of the Jokowi candidacy.  Their demands for an open discussion about the events of 1965 have become symbolic of liberalization and are consistently and militantly rejected by more conservative forces.

Dr. Lane will also argue that resistance to political liberalization reflects an opportunistic alliance between ex-crony capital and the most conservative elements of political Islam.  Moreover, the base of support for political liberalization is weak and was further eroded by the successful cooption by political elites of union activism that surged between 2011-13. The talk will end with a discussion of future trajectories.