Since the fall of General Suharto in May 1998, Indonesia has been undergoing a political transition: the archipelago is rejecting past authoritarianism and is attempting to move towards democracy. In this critical phase, the concept of civil society is being introduced in order to stimulate the change with regard to government and the economy. The examination of this formula and this strategic vision reveals the fragility of the concept of civil society, both as an analytical tool and a driving social group.