Reinventing Asian Populism: Jokowi's Rise, Democracy, and Political Contestation in Indonesia

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The electoral contest between Prabowo Subianto and Joko Widodo during Indonesia's 2014 presidential elections highlights contrasting approaches to populism. Prabowo leveraged traditional populist tactics, emphasizing anti-foreign sentiments and appealing to the impoverished, while Jokowi introduced a technocratic populism focused on inclusivity and public service. This study examines the conditions for the success or failure of populist campaigns, revealing that Prabowo's defeat stemmed from Indonesia's stable democracy, and explores Jokowi's challenges in asserting his populist governance amidst elite opposition.