Regional Dynamics in a Decentralized Indonesia

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state. In 2001 it embarked on a âbig bangâ decentralization involving a major transfer of administrative, political and financialÂauthority to its districts, now numbering more than 500. Together with the rapid transition from authoritarian to democratic rule in the late 1990s, this initiative has transformed theÂcountry's political, social and business life. While national government is the major areaÂof contestation, power has shifted irreversibly