The Communist Party of Indonesia: 1951–1963 explores the dramatic evolution of PKI under the transformative leadership of D. N. Aidit and his contemporaries, M. H. Lukman and Njoto. From a weakened party of a few thousand disorganized members in 1951, the PKI emerged as the largest non-governing communist party globally, boasting over 2 million members by 1963 and an additional 12.5 million supporters through its mass organizations. This study focuses on the Aidit leadership’s implementation of a "national united front" strategy, emphasizing the creation of a mass communist party, extending influence far beyond party boundaries, and navigating complex interactions with Indonesia’s major political forces. The narrative concludes in 1963, when the ultimate success of this strategy remained uncertain.

Rooted in Indonesia’s specific socio-political landscape, the book delves deeply into the Javanese society that provided the core of the PKI’s support. By examining the party’s grassroots efforts, mass mobilization strategies, and challenges within an underdeveloped nation, the study sheds light on why PKI amassed widespread support yet struggled to consolidate power. Avoiding a broader international perspective, this work zeroes in on Indonesia, presenting a detailed account of the Aidit leadership's influence and the socio-political conditions shaping the PKI during its pivotal years.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1964.