Democratisation and State– religion Relations in Post-authoritarian Indonesia and Pakistan (1998–2018)

Abstract

Recent research on democratisation has highlighted the importance of religious actors in shaping political development. Scholars argue that the nature of state–religion relations could impact political activism of these actors. Comparing two of the largest Muslim countries in Asia, Indonesia and Pakistan, the objective of this article is to understand their post-authoritarian divergent political trajectories through an examination of their state–religion relations. Based on the comparative analysis of the institutional relationship and political theology, the article concludes that Indonesia and Pakistan differ in their respective patterns of state–religion relations, whereas the ‘respect-all’ model of Indonesia’s state–religion relations, characterised by mutual respect and accommodation between political authorities and religious institutions, helps consolidate its democracy by constructing institutional independence, its moderate political theology also embraces democratic values and pluralism. In contrast, Pakistan’s integrated state–religion relations, the absence of a ‘respect-all’ model, and its commitment to traditional political theology aimed at establishing an Islamic state pose challenges to its democratisation efforts. Drawing implications for peacebuilding and security, Indonesia’s state–religion relations could offer a potential model for Muslim democracy in South Asia and beyond.