This paper analyses diversity in Indonesian local politics and how it affects the country’s democracy and governance.

The analysis assumes that one of the main determinants of the transition to democracy in the local context is the degree of consolidation at the state and society levels. Indonesian local politics vary by location in this respect, according to the degree of political consolidation at the state and society levels and how the channels between these two levels are managed.

This paper was presented at International IDEA’s Panel on Local Democracy at the ‘Public Administration and Governance: Tradition and Transformation’ Conference, held at the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance in Manila, on 27–29 June 2012.