True Believers: Religious Intolerance and Instability in Indonesia
Abstract
This paper examines how religious group identification shapes socio-political stability in Indonesia. The social and political divisions between the two largest religious communities, Christian and Muslim, present an ongoing challenge to domestic stability in Indonesia. To address this challenge and preserve social harmony the central government should promote and enforce policies that support moderate Islamic perspectives. In Indonesia, religion plays a central role in the formation of social identity, orienting politics, and amplifying domestic conflict. Indonesia's transition to democracy in 1998 unleashed a series of internecine conflicts with strong religious characteristics. Research indicates that religion is not always the proximate cause for unrest, but it is a dominant underlying factor. Fundamentalist interpretations of Islam increase the potential for religiously motivated violence because of its powerful role shaping group concepts of identity, orienting politics and policy, and as a potent force in domestic competition and conflict.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 26, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1077867
Entities
People
- William A. Adler
Organizations
- Naval War College