Indonesia is growing at 6 percent, has rejoined the ranks of investment-grade nations and, after decades under the corrupt and repressive Suharto, has reaffirmed its place as the world¡¯s third-largest democracy. Yet somehow enough Indonesians remember the Suharto years fondly that his Golkar Party has hopes of regaining power in upcoming elections.
Golkar isn¡¯t alone in trying to exploit nostalgia for past strongmen (and women). India¡¯s Congress Party is trying to squeeze any remaining good feelings about the Nehru-Gandhi period (from 1947 to about 1989) to elevate lackluster heir apparent Rahul Gandhi.
Even as China¡¯s Xi Jinping pushes ahead with market reforms, he continues to pay homage to communist icon Mao Zedong (1949-1976). Thais are destroying their economy rather than cut off support for tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra (2001-2006) and his sister Yingluck. Many Malaysians wax sentimental about the boom days of Mahathir Mohamad (1981-2003). Japanese are indulging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe¡¯s dangerous stroll down memory lane.
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