This chapter was originally published by ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute as a part of a book, titled “Understanding the role of Indonesian millenials in shaping the nation’s future”
The contemporary youth-led movements and protests in the Global North and South have rekindled the popular image of youth as agents of change. Indonesia is no exception, as Indonesian millennials have taken the initiative to push progressive agendas, especially after the fall of the authoritarian regime in 1998. This development has been tracked meticulously by various scholars whose works have raised hopes that the involvement of Indonesian millennials in politics will have positive impacts. Contrary to their views, however, we argue that they need a stronger organizational foundation to play the role of driver of progressive agendas. Based on an online survey involving 206 progressive youth organizations in Indonesia and 82 semi-structured interviews, we found that although some of these organizations have managed to establish basic organizational mechanisms (statutes, annual plans, evaluation mechanisms), they are still not well connected to potential social bases, especially in university campuses and in provinces other than those where they are based. The absence of a broad social base potentially undermines their social justice agendas since an agenda without strong social support comes across to political elites and policymakers as mere empty bluster. We contend that our study contributes to conversations on the role of Indonesian youth in politics and the Indonesian youth social movement in the post-authoritarian era.
To continue reading this article and gain full access to its insights, please visit the source page linked below:
Fajar, Muhammad, An Nisa Astuti, and Carolus Bregas Pranoto. 2024. “Progressive Yet Powerless: The State of Indonesia’s Progressive Youth Organizations in The Post-Authoritarian Era.” in Understanding The Role of Indonesian Millennials in Shaping the Nation’s Future. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.