{"product_id":"the-politics-of-religion-in-indonesia-contemporary-southeast-asia","title":"The Politics of Religion in Indonesia - Contemporary Southeast Asia","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Politics of Religion in Indonesia, the authors examine how religion is defined, practiced and politicized in Java and Bali. The book is best for readers seeking a thoughtful, comparative study rather than a general survey; its single biggest strength is the close focus on the dialogic processes that shape local understandings of Islam and Hinduism, showing how universal and indigenous traditions are negotiated in everyday life. The review highlights the book's analytic clarity and regional depth for students, researchers and informed general readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book directly compares neighbouring societies in Java and Bali to show how Islam and Hinduism produce different political and social outcomes, helping readers grasp regional contrasts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState and religion analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e It explains how the Indonesian state formally defines religion and requires affiliation, clarifying legal and institutional pressures on belief systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDialogic approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e The authors trace the indigenization of universalist religions and the universalization of indigenous religions, offering a nuanced theory for how religious identities evolve locally.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocal case studies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Concentration on Java and Bali provides concrete examples and ethnographic detail that illuminate broader political dynamics in Indonesia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book links local practices to larger debates about secularism and theocracy, making it useful for political scientists and scholars of religion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho will gain most:\u003c\/strong\u003e Graduate students, researchers and policy analysts interested in Southeast Asian politics, comparative religion or anthropology will find this focused study useful as a source of concepts and case material on religion-state relations in Indonesia.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho should look elsewhere:\u003c\/strong\u003e Casual readers seeking a broad history of Indonesian religion or a general introduction to Islam or Hinduism may find the treatment specialized and concentrated on Java and Bali rather than countrywide synthesis.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a clear comparative lens between Java and Bali that sharpens understanding of religious politics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplains the institutional role of the state in defining religion, useful for legal and political analysis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUses a dialogic framework that helps bridge ethnography and political theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eFocus on Java and Bali limits coverage of other Indonesian regions and religious variations.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Politics of Religion in Indonesia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoutledge Contemporary Southeast Asia Series\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeographic focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJava and Bali\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eState definition of religion; indigenization; universalization\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComparative, dialogic, ethnographic and political analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMichel Picard, Remy Madinier\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Politics of Religion in Indonesia is a well-argued, regionally focused study that rewards readers who want a comparative, theory-informed look at how religion and state intersect in Java and Bali. It is good value for scholars and advanced students because it combines concrete case material with a usable conceptual framework, though readers seeking a broad national overview should supplement it with wider surveys.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book cover the whole of Indonesia?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The study concentrates on Java and Bali to present a focused comparison between Muslim and Hindu societies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho wrote the book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is authored by Michel Picard and Remy Madinier and appears in the Routledge Contemporary Southeast Asia Series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book theoretical or empirical?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth: it combines empirical case studies with a dialogic theoretical approach to explain indigenization and universalization of religions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michel Picard, Remy Madinier","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48777357099227,"sku":"0415613116","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61Hiq8gF9_L._SL1500.jpg?v=1778866184","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-politics-of-religion-in-indonesia-contemporary-southeast-asia","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}