This book start with optimistic assumptions that there are new opportunities and possibilities are for development aid cooperation in Indonesia. Furthermore, this book also giving a more in-depth assessment, mainly in relation to its findings on the role of non-state actors in Indonesia. Current key strategy of foreign development aid is to foster closer cooperation with the government rather than civil society as non-state actors.
The authors argue that there is an urgent need for developments aid to shift to a Democratic Strategy. The core assumption of a democratic strategy is that civil society is a movement in its own right with its own dynamics that embraces diverse actors, initiatives and institutions, all of which contribute to the creation of a good, democratic government and society based on the rule of law that respects human rights.
