Governance and Corruption

In 1998, a corrupt, autocratic regime was brought down by street protests amidst a deep economic crisis in Indonesia. Could such fundamental twin ruptures in politics and economy expose the workings of how political and economic power is constituted?

I wrote a PhD thesis on the topic:

The Politics of Wealth Distribution in Post-Soeharto Indonesia; Political Power, Corruption and Institutional Change (2004)

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How can theory influence practice?

I returned to Indonesia to understand better how anti-corruption efforts work in real life. I now think one of the most useful ways of researching corruption is to really dig down into the functions it serves, which is different in every context.

I wrote on some governance reform issues for a subscription political analysis magazine…

“Watchdogs at work,” VZ Report on Indonesia, Vol. VIII (10) (June 13, 2006). the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Anti-Monopoly Commission (KPPU), Supreme Audit Board (BPK)
“The money trail,” VZ Report on Indonesia, Vol. IX (10) (June 12, 2007). Campaign finance scandal
“Judicial Commission Bill,” VZ Report on Indonesia, Vol. IX (16) (September 25, 2007). Judicval commission bill
“Graft busting,” VZ Report on Indonesia, Vol. IX (9) (May 29, 2007). Anti-corruption team, Timtas Tipikor
“A fish out of water,” VZ Report on Indonesia, Vol. IX (8) (May 10, 2007). Corruption trial, Rokhmin Dahuri
“The final arbiter,” VZ Report on Indonesia, Vol. IX (1) (January 23, 2007). Constitutional Court
“The debt game,” VZ Report on Indonesia, Vol. VIII (13-14) (August 8, 2006). BLBI debt
“Problems of perception,” VZ Report on Indonesia, Vol. IX (17) (October 9, 2007). Corruption perception index
“Bank Indonesia’s accountability under question?,” VZ Report on Indonesia, Vol. VIII (6) (April 12, 2006). Bank Indonesia irregularities

…And worked for international agencies evaluating and designing governance and democratisation projects. Where aid money found local civil society organisations, it generally did good, but I can say from personal experience that the “aid industry” can be deeply problematic.

Hicks, Jacqueline (March 2013) Advancing Indonesia’s Civil Society in Trade and Investment, Jakarta, EC.
Hicks, Jacqueline (August 2011) Support to the fight against corruption in Indonesia, Jakarta, UNODC.
Hicks, Jacqueline (October 2011) Strengthening the capacity of anti-corruption institutions in Indonesia, Jakarta, UNODC.
Hicks, Jacqueline (March 2011) Strengthening Judicial Integrity and Capacity in Indonesia (2008-2010), Jakarta, UNODC.
Hicks, Jacqueline (April 2010) Support to Indonesia’s Civil Society, Jakarta, European Commission.
Hicks, Jacqueline (October 2006), Evaluation of the Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia, Jakarta, European Commission.
Maurer, Ralf; Hendytio, Medelina; Hicks, Jacqueline; Setiyono, Budi (March 2006), Outcome Evaluation of the Agenda for Governance Reform in Indonesia 2000-2005, Jakarta, UNDP.