Prof. dr. W.J. (Ward) Berenschot
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Programme group: Moving Matters: People, Goods, Power and Ideas
Area of expertise: Clientelism, Local Democracy, Citizenship, Informality, Access to Justice, Land Conflicts, Political Finance
Visiting address
- Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
Postal address
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Postbus 15509
1001 NA Amsterdam
Contact details
Social media
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Profile
Ward Berenschot is a professor in comparative political anthropology at the University of Amsterdam and a senior researcher at KITLV. Employing a combination of up-close ethnographic fieldwork with quantitative techniques to study politics in India and Indonesia, his research focuses on the role of money and informality in election campaigns, while a second field of research concerns the character of citizenship and civil society in these countries. He is the author of Riot Politics: Hindu-Muslim Violence and the Indian State (Colombia University Press 2011) and Democracy for Sale: Elections, Clientelism and the State in Indonesia (with Edward Aspinall, Cornell University Press 2019) as well as several articles and on ethnic violence, governance, citizenship and legal aid. He has been engaged in efforts to strengthen legal aid in Indonesia, and is currently working on a book and a documentary on conflicts between palm oil companies and rural Indonesians. He teaches courses on political economy, political anthropology and historical comparative sociology at Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam.
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Research
Current research projects
His current research focuses on three main topics: land conflicts, campaign finance, and public opinion manipulation through social media. He coordinates a research collaboration (with Wageningen University and Universitas Andalas) that studies the activism of rural Indonesians against palm oil companies. With researchers at the University of Amsterdam and Universitas Diponegoro Berenschot works on a research project that studies how online ‘buzzers’ are used to manipulate public opinion in Indonesia. With Australitian National University he works on a project on village governance in Southeast Asia.
Research grants & honours
- 2019 – 2023 NWO grant for ‘Palm Oil conflicts and access to Justice in Indonesia
- 2022 – 2025 KNAW grant for ‘Cybertroops and computational propaganda in Southeast Asia
- 2018 Visiting Fellowship, Yale University
- 2013 – 2016 VENI scholarship, Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) for ‘Shades of Clientelism: A Comparative Study of Indonesia’s Patronage Democracy’
- 2013 – 2018 KNAW SPIN grant for ‘From Clients to Citizens? Emerging Citizenship in Democratising Indonesia
Current collaborations
Andalas University, Wageningen University, Australian National University as well as several NGOs in Indonesia
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Teaching & PhD Supervision
Education
Berenschot teaches courses on political economy, political anthropology and historical comparative sociology at Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam.
PhD supervison
Berenschot supervises four Phd students.
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Publications
- refereed (20)
- academic (7)
- professional (1)
- popular scientific (1)
- recognitions (11)
- supervised theses (1)
- doctoral thesis (1)
- datasets (1)
2024
- Wijayanto, Berenschot, W. J., Sastramidjaja, Y. M., & Ruijgrok, K. (2024). The Infrastructure of Domestic Influence Operations: Cyber Troops and Public Opinion Manipulation Through Social Media in Indonesia. The International Journal of Press/Politics. https://doi.org/10.1177/19401612241297832
2023
Afrizal, A., Hospes, O., Berenschot, W. J., Dhiaulhaq, A., Adriana, R., & Poetry, E. (2023). Unequal access to justice: an evaluation of RSPO’s capacity to resolve palm oil conflicts in Indonesia. Agriculture and human values, 40(1), 291-304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-022-10360-z [details]- Berenschot, W., Dhiaulhaq, A., & Deviane, A. (2023). Local brokerage and international leverage: NGOs and land conflicts in Indonesia. Journal of International Development, 35(3), 505-520. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3640 [details]
2022
- Berenschot, W., Dhiaulhaq, A., Afrizal , Hospes, O., Adriana, R., & Poetry, E. (2022). Anti-Corporate Activism and Collusion: The Contentious Politics of Palm Oil Expansion in Indonesia. Geoforum, 131, 39-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2022.03.002 [details]
- Malna, A., & Berenschot, W. (2022). Land-Use Change Conflicts and Anti-Corporate Activism in Indonesia: A Review Essay. Journal of East Asian Studies, 22(2), 333-356. https://doi.org/10.1017/jea.2022.12 [details]
2021
- Berenschot, W., Capri, W., & Dhian, D. (2021). A quiet revolution? Village head elections and the democratization of rural Indonesia. Critical Asian Studies, 53(1), 126-146. https://doi.org/10.1080/14672715.2021.1871852 [details]
- Hendrawan, A., Berenschot, W., & Aspinall, E. (2021). Parties as pay-off seekers: Pre-electoral coalitions in a patronage democracy. Electoral Studies, 69, Article 102238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2020.102238
2020
- Berenschot, W., & Bagchi, S. (2020). Comparing Brokers in India: Informal Networks and Access to Public Services in Bihar and Gujarat. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 50(3), 457-477. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472336.2019.1605535 [details]
2019
- Berenschot, W. J. (2019). Informal democratization: brokers, access to public services and democratic accountability in Indonesia and India. Democratization, 26(2), 208-224. https://doi.org/10.1080/13510347.2018.1512590
- Berenschot, W. J. (2019). Patterned pogroms: Patronage networks as infrastructure for electoral violence in India and Indonesia. Journal of Peace Research, 57(1), 171-184. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343319889678
- Berenschot, W. J., & Aspinall, E. (2019). How clientelism varies: comparing patronage democracies. Democratization, 27(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13510347.2019.1645129
- Berenschot, W. J., & Mulder, P. (2019). Explaining regional variation in local governance: Clientelism and state-dependency in Indonesia. World Development, 122, 233-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.05.021
- Berenschot, W., & van Klinken, G. (Eds.) (2019). Citizenship in Indonesia: Perjuangan atas Hak, Identitas, dan Partisipasi. Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia. [details]
2018
- Berenschot, W. J., & Hanani, R. (2018). Brokers and citizenship: access to health care in Indonesia. Citizenship Studies, 22(2), 129-144. https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2018.1445493
- Berenschot, W., & van Klinken, G. (2018). Informality and citizenship: the everyday state in Indonesia. Citizenship Studies, 22(2), 95-111. https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2018.1445494 [details]
- van Klinken, G., & Berenschot, W. (2018). Everyday citizenship in democratizing Indonesia. In R. W. Hefner (Ed.), Routledge handbook of contemporary Indonesia (pp. 151-162). (Routledge handbooks). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315628837-12 [details]
2017
- Berenschot, W., Schulte Nordholt, H., & Bakker, L. (2017). Introduction: Citizenship and Democratization in Postcolonial Southeast Asia. In W. Berenschot, H. Schulte Nordtholt, & L. Bakker (Eds.), Citizenship and Democratization in Southeast Asia (pp. 1-30). (Social, Economic and Political Studies of the Middle East and Asia; Vol. 115). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004329669_002 [details]
2009
- Berenschot, W. (2009). Het ontstaan van een pogrom in Gujarat. In W. Berenschot, & H. Schijf (Eds.), Etnisch geweld: groepsconflict in de schaduw van de staat (pp. 109-130). (Mens & maatschappij. Boekaflevering; No. 84). Amsterdam University Press. http://www.oapen.org/download?type=document&docid=341462 [details]
- Berenschot, W. (2009). Rioting as maintaining relations: Hindu-Muslim violence and political mediation in Gujarat, India. Civil Wars, 11(4), 414-433. https://doi.org/10.1080/13698240903403774 [details]
- Berenschot, W., & Schijf, H. (2009). Etnisch geweld in de schaduw van de staat. In W. Berenschot, & H. Schijf (Eds.), Etnisch geweld: groepsconflict in de schaduw van de staat (pp. 9-26). (Mens en maatschappij. Boekaflevering; No. jg. 84). Amsterdam University Press. http://www.oapen.org/download?type=document&docid=341462 [details]
2021
- Sastramidjaja, Y., Berenschot, W., Wijayanto, & Fahmi, I. (2021). The Threat of Cyber Troops (Introduction to Special Edition). Inside Indonesia, 146. Advance online publication. https://www.insideindonesia.org/the-threat-of-cyber-troops [details]
- Wijayanto, & Berenschot, W. (2021). The organisation and funding of Cyber Troops. Inside Indonesia, 146. Advance online publication. https://www.insideindonesia.org/organisation-and-funding-of-social-media-propaganda [details]
2017
- Berenschot, W., Schulte Nordholt, H., & Bakker, L. (Eds.) (2017). Citizenship and Democratization in Southeast Asia. (Social, Economic and Political Studies of the Middle East and Asia; Vol. 115). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004329669 [details]
2016
2014
- van Klinken, G., & Berenschot, W. (2014). In Search of Middle Indonesia: middle classes in provincial towns. (Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde; Vol. 292), (Power and place in Southeast Asia; Vol. 4). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004263437 [details]
2009
- Berenschot, W., & Schijf, H. (2009). Etnisch geweld: groepsconflict in de schaduw van de staat. (Mens en maatschappij. Boekaflevering; No. jg. 84). Amsterdam University Press. [details]
2006
- Berenschot, W. J. (2006). The Hifi People vs the Cheap People: Class Divisions and Ethnic Conflict in Bombay, India. In A. Zwaan, & M. de Keizer (Eds.), Politiek geweld: Etnisch conflict, oorlog en genocide in de twintigste eeuw (NIOD Jaarboek; No. 16). Walburg Pers.
2017
- Berenschot, W. J., & van Klinken, G. A. (2017). What does exercising citizenship in Indonesia's democracy look like? Inside Indonesia, (129). http://www.insideindonesia.org/i-am-an-indonesian-citizen-3
Media appearance
- Sastramidjaja, Y. & Berenschot, W. (16-03-2024). Podcast: Prabowo Subianto zo goed als zeker nieuwe president Indonesië [Other] Indonesië Podcast. Podcast: Prabowo Subianto zo goed als zeker nieuwe president Indonesië. https://www.indonesienieuws.nl/podcast-prabowo-zo-goed-als-zeker-nieuwe-president-indonesie/
- Berenschot, W. (16-02-2024). Verlies voor de democratie [Print] Noordhollands Dagblad. Verlies voor de democratie. https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/28dddf35-c8aa-4cbe-bedf-bb2317943e4e/?context=1519360&identityprofileid=4WBGCC56941
- Berenschot, W. (15-02-2024). Jongeren bezorgen Prabowo zege; Indonesië Na verkiezingen vrezen critici verdere uitholling democratie [Print] NRC. Jongeren bezorgen Prabowo zege; Indonesië Na verkiezingen vrezen critici verdere uitholling democratie. https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/0fdabb8d-04a5-47ac-bf8f-e782af3739ef/?context=1519360&identityprofileid=4WBGCC56941
- Berenschot, W. (14-02-2024). Jonge kiezers helpen Prabowo aan zege, critici vrezen verdere uitholling democratie [Web] NRC. Jonge kiezers helpen Prabowo aan zege, critici vrezen verdere uitholling democratie. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/02/14/jonge-kiezers-helpen-prabowo-aan-zege-critici-vrezen-verdere-uitholling-democratie-a4190165
- Berenschot, W. (16-04-2020). 'Lockdown in India is luxe die armen zich niet kunnen veroorloven' [Web] NU.nl. 'Lockdown in India is luxe die armen zich niet kunnen veroorloven'. https://www.nu.nl/dit-wordt-het-nieuws/6045053/lockdown-in-india-is-luxe-die-armen-zich-niet-kunnen-veroorloven.html?redirect=1
Talk / presentation
- Sastramidjaja, Y. (speaker), Berenschot, W. (speaker) & Wijayanto, (speaker) (29-6-2022). Social Media Propaganda and Public Opinion Manipulation in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Analysis., EuroSEAS Paris 2022, Paris.
- Berenschot, W. (speaker) (31-10-2021). The informality Trap: Democracy against Governance in Indonesia, 2nd APSSI International Conference, Universitas Brawijaya.
- Berenschot, W. (speaker) (2-10-2021). The informality Trap: Democracy against Governance, Indonesia Focus Conference, University of Pittsburgh.
- van Klinken, G. A. (speaker) & Berenschot, W. J. (speaker) (25-9-2015). Roundtable on governance - what political anthropologists of Asia and Africa can contribute, Inaugural and first biennial conference of the association for Asian studies in Africa (A-Asia), Accra.
- Berenschot, W. J. (speaker) (2008). Moneypower and Musclepower in a Gujarati Locality: On the Usefulness of Goondas in Indian Politics., ASSR working paper presentation, Amsterdam.
- Berenschot, W. J. (speaker) (30-6-2006). The Machinations of municipal elections in Ahmedabad, India, Paper presented at the ‘19th European Conference on Modern South Asian Studies, Leiden.
2022
- Berenschot, W. J. (2022). Palm Oil Conflicts in Indonesia - dataset of 150 Company-community conflicts. DANS Data Station Social Sciences and Humanities. https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-xbn-wmrj
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Ancillary activities
No ancillary activities
Afrizal, A., Hospes, O., Berenschot, W. J., Dhiaulhaq, A., Adriana, R., & Poetry, E. (2023). Unequal access to justice: an evaluation of RSPO’s capacity to resolve palm oil conflicts in Indonesia. Agriculture and human values, 40(1), 291-304.