Publication Date

1-1-2011

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Hamayotsu, Kikue

Degree Name

B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Political Science

Abstract

Why have certain states been able to successfully transition from authoritarian regimes to democratic ones? Indonesia, after nearly four decades of authoritarian military rule, has been able to develop a democratically elected civilian regime and keep the military in the barracks. This paper examines the methods Indonesian President Yudhoyono has used to enact military reforms and strengthen civilian oversight of the military. This paper will utilize a qualitative research design using primary and secondary sources. I will argue that President Yudhoyono has used the institutional power of the presidency, as well as his professional legacy as a former military elite, to strengthen civilian dominance over the military by: controlling personnel appointments within the military in order to put reformist officers in top positions, raising the institutional prestige of the military, and increasing the amount of resources devoted to military procurement and maintenance. I conclude by examining the theoretical implications of Indonesia's civil-military relationship, and due to its unique characteristics, I advance a new theoretical model, the 'Executive Dominant Model', in order to fully explain Indonesia's contemporary civil-military relationship.

Extent

27 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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