Diego Fossati's new book attempts to solve the puzzle of why public satisfaction among Indonesians toward democracy continues to increase despite a declining trend of its quality. This rise shows that the Indonesian public has been less afflicted by the recent democratic erosion. However, Unity through Division points out that the increasing public support for democracy does not mean that ordinary citizens justify the regression. It has to do with the extent to which the public prefers to maintain democratic politics rather than changing it with another political system.

Unlike many other studies that measure public satisfaction toward democracy from its output, that is, governance performance and economic growth, Unity through Division suggests seeing it from the input covering the issue of representation and participation. From this perspective, perception toward democracy tends to be more positive than negative. The book argues that ideological division shaped by how Indonesian politics places the role of Islam in state affairs contributes to constructing the perception of being represented. The book also acknowledges that political division along religious lines might have negative effects on democratic institutions, as it allows incumbents to use any means in silencing oppositions, including by curtailing civil and political rights. H