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The Politics of Shari'a Law: Islamist Activists and the State in Democratizing
Indonesia

Book · August 2016

DOI: 10.1017/CBO9781316417843

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Michael Buehler
SOAS, University of London
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 The Islamization of politics in Indonesia after 1998 presents an

Buehler
underexplored puzzle: Why has there been a rise in the number of shari’a
laws despite the electoral decline of Islamist parties? Michael Buehler
presents an analysis of the conditions under which Islamist activists
situated outside formal party politics may capture and exert influence
The Politics of

The Politics of Shari’a Law

in Muslim-majority countries facing democratization. He argues that

Shari’a Law
introducing competitive elections creates new pressures for entrenched
elites to mobilize and structure the electorate, thereby opening up new
opportunities for Islamist activists to influence politics. Buehler’s analysis
of changing state–religion relations in formerly authoritarian Islamic Islamist Activists and the State
countries illuminates broader theoretical debates on Islamization in
the context of democratization. This timely text is essential reading for in Democratizing Indonesia
students, scholars, and government analysts.
Michael Buehler
Michael Buehler is a Senior Lecturer in Comparative Politics at the
University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
With an emphasis on Southeast Asia, his teaching and research interests
evolve around state–society relations under conditions of democratization.
His publications include articles in disciplinary journals such as
Comparative Politics and Party Politics, as well as area studies journals,
including the Bulletin of Indonesia Economic Studies and South East Asia
Research.

Cover illustration: © Studio Rancan Imaji:

A graphic design company based in Jakarta,
Indonesia.

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