The TransitionalDemocracy Trap: Democracy, Complexity, and Local Oligarchy in Bali

Abstract

The transitional phase of democratization after the collapse of an authoritarian regime has not seen new political actors displace the old actors of the Suharto regime. A localized oligarchy has largely circumvented the space opened up by a free media and fairly contested elections. This chapter focuses on the way the ormas in Bali have become a means of pursuing political-economic interests. A long transitional phase of democratization has allowed the rise of ormas in Bali amidst increasing identity politics, ethnic-based violence, and the presence of local bosses. The ormas were formed and are maintained by political elites as instruments of political power. During elections, the “democratic festival”, ormas are mobilized by political camps or deliberately maintained for particular political interests.