Lessons in Democracy

Media and the Elections 2004 in Indonesia and the Philippines.

IISG - Adama van Scheltemazaal
13:00-17:00 Seminar
The Dark Side of Democratization
Entrance free, reservation: 020 6685866

Theatercafé Restaurant Soeterijn
Linneausstraat 2, Amsterdam
18:00-19:00 Buffet & Exposition: Election Campaigns in Indonesia

KIT Tropentheater Kleine Zaal
Linneausstraat 2, Amsterdam
19:30-22:00 Film and debate
Media and Democracy in Indonesia and the Philippines
Entrance free! Reservations required: 020 5688 500

Links:
Asian Studies in Amsterdam
The International Institute for Asian Studies
Hivos
KIT Tropentheater

Seminar
The Dark Side of Democratization
Democratisation in Indonesia and the Philippines comes with several problems. First, democratisation - and elections in particular - often comes with an increase of political violence. Second, democratically elected governments increasingly face problems of corruption and accountability. Third, trends toward decentralization and liberalization often result in the withdrawal of the middle classes from the public sector into private business, with the result that the middle classes no longer play a leading role in democratic politics, state formation, and nation building. Taken together, these three issues can be said to form the dark or negative side of democratisation.

Central questions: What is the quality of democracy in present-day Indonesia and the Philippines?

Invited speakers:

Dr. Kari Telle (University of Bergen, Norway)
Prof. dr. Mark Thompson (University of Erlangen, Germany)
Dr. Myrna Eindhoven (University of Amsterdam)
Prof. dr. Henk Schulte Nordholt (KITLV, Leiden)
chair: Dr. Rosanne Rutten (University of Amsterdam)

Information: IIAS Amsterdam, Oskar Verkaaik, tel 020 525 3657, iias@fmg.uva.nl

Buffet and exposition

Theatercafé Restaurant 'Soeterijn'
18:00 - 19:00 uur Exposition: Election campaigns in Indonesia
Buffet (reservation required at tel. 020 5688 500)

Ticket buffet (excl. drinks): € 25, with student ID € 20.

Film and debate
Media and Democracy in Indonesia and the Philippines

Central questions of the evening programme: Do journalists determine the popular image of elections candidates? Do they have a decisive power over de the election results? Which type of media is most powerful in influencing the election results, in the Philippines, in Indonesia? Is that typical for these countries or is it a worldwide phenomenon? What is the strength of alternative media?