Can we see Indonesia as liberal democracy? Assessing the 2014 Legislative and Presidential Elections

Election and the whole electoral process are considered good indicator of one country’s fulfillment to the ideal of liberal democracy. In Indonesia, where the democratic governance including regular election has just started since 1998, electoral reforms have been successfully carried out in several aspects; regulation, institutionalization of electoral bodies and the transparency during the process. Indonesia is the 4th most populated country in the world with more than 260 million inhabitants, and it has conducted direct election since 2004 under relatively peaceful circumstances. This paper will focus on the latest Presidential and Legislative Elections that were held in 2014, while describing the development of electoral reforms over time. This, with a view to assess as to whether Indonesia is still on the right track in adopting western-style liberal democracy and by applying democracy assessment tools and liberal democracy criteria. On the basis of detailed evidence, it is established that it is best at this point of time to see the democracy in Indonesia as a hybrid system. It is a ‘variety of democracy’ combining elements of what is considered a liberal democracy, as well as historical and specific Indonesian socio-cultural, traditional and informal governance systems are influencing the result.