Culture, development and democracy : the role of the intellectual

This book, written in tribute to the late Soedjatmoko, Indonesian intellectual, statesman, and social thinker, examines the intellectual in society. Mirroring Soedjatmoko's lifelong concern with the role of intellectuals in culture, development, and democracy, leading intellectuals from different regions of the world come together in this collection of essays to share their views on the complex interactions among culture, development, democracy, freedom, and human rights, particularly in the developing countries. The particular themes presented by the various contributors range from specific issues of political theory to case-studies of individual countries (the Philippines, Indonesia) to regions (Africa, South America). Within this framework, the essays discuss problems related to the environment, growing populations, economy, health, education, social justice, and ethnicity, among others. The book is unique in dealing with culture, development, and democracy and their interactions from the point of view of the role of intellectuals.

This commemoration of the life and work of Soedjatmoko will, it is hoped, give wider recognition to an outstanding intellectual and assure that the questions so close to his heart will continue to inspire careful thinking about the intellectual and moral challenges of the world today.