Various economic problems faced by Indonesia once appeared to have been solved. Common understanding has it taht Indoensia had gone too far in implementing its growth-orientated development paradigm, despite teh consequences of sharp economic and social disparities.

The "bankruptcy" of the Indonesian economy has time and again been predicted, ever since anthropologist Clifford Geertz did so in 1963. Now, mainstream economist (Indonesian as well as foreign) do not believe that the Indonesian economy can hold on without foreign aid, in particular that of the IMF.

In this volume Mubyarto strongly believes in the power of ekonomi rakyat of Indonesia. He asks Indonesians to think about how they organize themselves for their material provisioning. Current events have thrust Indonesia into a spotlight that many would wish to avoid. How the nation addresses its economy and the other swirling currents will set the trajectory for a long time.