When conservatives support decentralization: The case of political Islam in Indonesia. Issue 2 (15th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fossati, Diego
• Is Part Of: Regional & federal studies. Volume 33:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 233
• Publication Date: 2023-03-15
• Subjects: Public opinion -- decentralization -- political Islam -- minority rights -- Indonesia; Regionalism -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Federal government -- Periodicals; 321.02
• DOI: 10.1080/13597566.2021.1951252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-7566

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In Western democracies, decentralization is typically associated with pluralism and demands for minority rights. In other contexts, however, decentralized governance may be instrumental to conservative and exclusionary ideologies. We illustrate this point with an analysis of Indonesia, a diverse and decentralized country. By leveraging an original survey, we find that Islamist individuals are significantly more likely to support decentralization than pluralists. This can be attributed to this country's legacy of political development. As pluralist elites have long dominated national politics, political Islam has sought to empower regional governments, where Islamist agendas can more easily be implemented.