Title: Democratization and Government-Business Relations in Indonesia: the Case of the Small and Medium Scale EnterprisesSubmitted by: Alasdair Bowie, Associate Professor, The George Washington University, USAThe demise of the Soeharto regime in Indonesia in 1999 and the peaceful selection by democratic means of the new, reform-minded president, Abdurrahman Wahid, has occasioned cautious optimism among those seeking a democratic Indonesia. Media reports make much of the open political environment, the exponential growth of print media outlets, and the broad participation of many different walks of life in public discourse. However, Soeharto's New Order still casts a long shadow over Indonesia's civil society. This paper explores the institutional weaknesses of, and challenges facing, voluntary business associations representing small and medium scale entrepreneurs, as they seek to organize their members, participate in meaningful policy dialogue, and influence the policy decisions of senior civil servants and cabinet members that have an impact on their businesses. Return to Abstracts menuCarol Burnett Phone: 61 - 3 - 9349 1899 Email: c.burnett@asialink.unimelb.edu.au
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