Yoes Kenawas Triumphs in Dissertation Defense: Unraveling the Dynamics of Political Dynasties
Dr. Yoes Kenawas, a rising scholar in the field of political science at Northwestern University, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful defense of his doctoral thesis. His committee voted unanimously to award the honor of “distinction” on the dissertation.
His research on dynastic politics sheds light on the intricate web of power, legacy and organizational capabilities within political families. As Indonesia grapples with the ascent of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's son to the vice presidency, Yoes's work gains newfound relevance.
"There are not many graduate students quoted in the New York Times for their political interpretations, as Yoes was recently on Indonesia,” commented Jeffrey Winters, chair of Dr. Kenawas’s committee.
Dr. Kenawas embarked on this project in 2015, driven by a belief in its importance for new democracies, particularly Indonesia. His initial question—why do some areas witness the prominence of political dynasties while others do not? —led him down a path of rigorous investigation. He explored why certain political dynasties endure and even achieve hegemonic status, while others fade into obscurity.
“Yoes’s major innovation in the study of dynasties is to focus as much on political families that fail as those that succeed,” Winters noted.
His findings point to a critical factor: the family's organizational capabilities. These capabilities encompass not only political acumen but also the ability to navigate complex networks, maintain cohesion, and strategically position family members. Dr. Kanawas’s framework provides a lens through which we can better understand the variation in dynasty endurance across democracies.
"Achieving this milestone feels surreal to me," he said. "I can only thank my dissertation committee and my family for their unwavering support throughout this year."
As Dr. Kanawas transitions to the next phase of his academic journey, he joins the Institute for Advanced Research (IFAR) at Atma Jaya Catholic University in Jakarta as a Research Fellow. There, he plans to prepare his research for publication at a university press, several impactful journal articles and a website that will track the evolution of dynastic politics in Indonesia over time.
Dr. Kenawas's dissertation defense marks not only a personal achievement but also a contribution to our understanding of political power dynamics. As Indonesia's political landscape continues to evolve, Yoes's work serves as a beacon for those seeking to decode the complexities of dynastic rule and promises to shape the discourse on the enduring impact of political legacies. His work also points the way for other scholars studying political dynasties around the world.