Transition People's Political Participation

By Silahudin


Introduction

DAYS, the level of Indonesia political surprised or not surprised by the Fatwa Council of Ulama Indonesia (MUI) on Golput unlawful. Our critical question, what's with the politics of nation-state battle (nation state) this? Is there something wrong in constructing the implementation of the government and this country? Or indeed, lest the State in the administration of this nation with casually, without reference to what is desired by the buffer and the owner of the State sovereignty of this nation: People?

Apparently, this 2009 general election not only the hope of many people, namely the legislative elections and presidential elections, but also behind it, are anxious, or there are fears overshadowed by an increasingly Golput not unstoppable. Because social fact, voters who do not use the right to vote from election to election ever increasing trend, as showed in the election directly (Pilkada).

Indeed, the satisfaction of the people from the election to election precisely proportional to the disappointment of the political parties and the performance of cadres, both in parliament or in executive agencies, which raises the wave golput without "mercy" in the political process of this nation-state, ie becomes large stakes political activity, 9 April legislative elections and the president in July (1st round) and September Second round of presidential elections when there are no provisions that meet the legislation.

As a special note, that in the first direct elections in Indonesia of politcant, it appears unique phenomenon is the low political participation of the people who already have the right to vote and register to use the vote. The absence of voters who have registered, but did not use the vote, which is more popularly called Golput (white group), it is very significant amount. Based on data from the Ministry of the Interior (Home Affairs) (in Sri Nuryanti, 2006: 70-80) that people who use the right to vote in the election 65-75 percent range. This figure is lower than the 2004 elections, which reached 85% for legislative elections and 75% for the presidential election.

Golput a category of distinction in the type and nature of participation. In other languages, that one gives an overview of political participation and involvement of people in ketidakterlibatan affect the result even from the political process. Golput position as political participation is a significant set of corrections to the political process that should be the root of the problem must be sought the solution, rather than with the repressive actions.

Conceptualization of Political Participation

Conceptually there are two kinds of democracy, namely democratic normative and empirical democratic. Normative democracy, linked to things that are idiil to be achieved or done in the administration of the state, as we have long ago known the term "Government of the people, by the people and for the people". Juan Linz in Affan Gaffar (2004) defines democracy as: "We shall call a political system when it allows demokratic the free formulations of political preferences, through the use of basic freedoms of association, information, and communication, for the purpose of free competition between leaders to validate at regular intervals by a non-violent means their claim to rule; a democratic system does this without any effective political exluding office from that competition or prohibiting any members of the political community from expressing their preference by norms requiring the use of force to enforce Them ".

Schumpeter quoted Sri Nuryanti, (2006) who interpret it as "institutional arrangements to achieve political decisions in which individuals through competition for people's voice for voters, have the power to make decisions". Along with the political journey of Indonesia, reform of the nation state administration practices, including the general election has been conducted. Elections can not be ignored in an effort to improve the quality of a society democratic nation state. The election is certain to have political meaning of the transaction between the constituents (the people of voters) with the choice.

That's why, a sociological fact that can not be denied that political participation is the manifestation of political attitudes in determining the goals or the state government. Political participation is basically a citizens rights to take the activities in terms of: selecting the leadership of the country roads (Regional Head - explanation writer), influencing public policy (Miriam Budiardjo: 1998, Herbert McClosky: 1972); determination of attitudes and desires of each individual's involvement in the circumstances the organization, which in turn encourages the individual to participate in the achievement of organizational goals, and take part in any joint liability (David in Arifin Rahman: 2002: 128); affect the process of making and implementing public kebijakansanaan and government leaders in shaping (Ramlan Surbakti: 1992: 118); and to influence decision-making by the government. Berisfat individual or collective, organized or spontaneous, steady or sporadic, peacefully or by force, legal or illegal (Huntington, 1977: 3).

Indeed, it is necessary of elaboration that any public political participation is not always believed to be in the realm of consciousness-awareness of the beliefs of political participation. Because the lining of the political life of society (political infrastructure), there are people who are intensely following the even wants to understand the issues or political issues, so they want to involve themselves in such activities, and some segments of society who are not indifferent indifferent to the dynamics of political life, perhaps even to the extreme does not want to know.

Looking classical concept of political participation are presented by experts of political science, is more emphasis on the positive involvement of all citizens both individually and collectively in influencing decision-making process. Thus, political participation will be emphasized as the only aspect of participation, so the type and nature of participation is less important to a category of difference. Yet as explained by Hermawan Sulistiyo (1990) "a political participation does not always have to be seen as a positive participation. Various passive measures - such as Golput case, the White Group, which emerged as the phenomenon of refusal to participate in the election .. "

Political participation is not always in the realm of positive engagement, but it is much more than that even acts like one does not use the vote in the election can be categorized as political participation. Political participation as described by Michael Rush & Philip Althoff (2002: 23), "is the involvement of individuals to the various levels in the political system. Political activity that could move from not participation to office activities. "

Political participation is really a work of energy for a political system itself. Without the participation of the political system that is in the vacuum means. Therefore, political participation in a political system plays a very important, though different-Different intensity. For the context of this level, differences in types of participation in social and political struggles of the nation's life, not necessarily be denied, even it is a reality in the dynamics of the political life of the country concerned, such as the State of Indonesia. In this case Miriam Budiardjo (1998: 8) explain the types of participation according to the frequency and intensity. "People who are not following intensive activities, and the incentives or active. Which is not intensive activity that is not much time-consuming and usually not based on his own initiative, such as voting in elections (such as legislative, and executive), very large numbers. In contrast, very small number of people who are active and half the time involved in politics. Activity as political activity included, among others to be leaders of political parties or interest groups."

Sketch of the concept of political participation gives the impression that political participation is not forced, but it is a long process that begins with the process of political socialization. Indicators of political participation in the legislative elections, presidential and local elections directly, has always been a dimension of success or failure of implementation of the relevant election. However, it seems very important diteluntik models or patterns of political participation on the level of participation of a person, as illustrated dikutif Paige Ramlan Surbakti (1992: 144) divides participation into four types (patterns), namely: First, if someone has a political consciousness and belief in high, the government tends to active political participation. Second, if the political consciousness and political beliefs to lower the government's political participation tend to be passive-depressed (apathy). Third, political participation tend to be radical, if the high political awareness, but trust in the government is very low. And fourth, when political consciousness is very low, but trust in government is very high then this participation is not active (passive).

In the plain reality that there are layers of society who participate in one or more forms of activity, there are communities of citizens that did not involve themselves in the arena of political activity. This is clearly Miriam Budiardjo (1998: 5) "is the opposite of participation and called apathy (apathy)". In this context, emerged the question why the apathy? McClosky (1972: 255, 263) argues that there are not voted because of indifference and no interest by, or do not understand about, political issues. There are also not convinced that efforts to influence government policy will be successful and some are deliberately not used the opportunity to be selected by chance in an environment where lack of participation is commendable.

Indeed, the stigma that develops in the struggle and social life of today's society, precisely the view that the use or not vote, will not change the situation. That is, do not use voting rights (aka - Golput) in the elections is an admirable act as a series of corrections to the political process that does not bring improvement in people's lives.

Thus, in a hypothetical there are several basic reasons, that citizens do not use the vote, as Robert A. Dahl (1980: 119) explained: First, less involved in politics when people put a low value on the gifts expected from political involvement. The second is less involved in politics if people think that there is no clear difference in the alternatives. For example no matter which party wins the election or any election of head of state / region, they believed they did not provide a real choice. Third, less likely to become involved in politics if people think that it is impossible to change with clear results. Fourth, less likely to be involved in politics if people believe that the results would be relatively satisfactory without involvement. Fifth, less involved in politics if one feels that his knowledge of politics is limited to be useful. Sixth, less likely to engage in politics, if one expects a gift something from the activity.

Power Chain

Institutional democracy is a model that gives confidence in the level of political life the better. Procedural democracy both substantive democracy, let alone both of which give clear direction to provide freedom of citizens in participating. Elections gives meaningful expression to the people is the vote. Citizens participate in elections to choose their representatives in parliament and the central level regional level, and choose government leaders in central and local levels that are structured by the prevailing political system.

Electoral system, in Affan Gaffar Lijphart (2004: 255) defines "electoral system as a set of methods or the way people choose their representatives." According Ramlan Surbakti (1992: 176) that the electoral system is set up procedures for the selected person become a member or representative body to be head of government.

Voting is a form of political participation of the greatest people, even universal. This means that, despite the social reality, that which took part in the voting is characterized by the social status of each, such as educational level, economic stratification and social types of the other, but in this case is necessarily remain the same. In another sense, the social characteristics or a certain social stratification, in the same voting, only to vote for the election of legislators both at the central level and in the regions, also in the direct presidential election and direct regional head, formally only one vote.

Indeed, the determinant factor that one indicator of successful implementation of formal elections, is the high level of voting. In other words, the real decisive when voting is popular or otherwise participate in the legislative elections at the national and regional levels, as well as the President and Regional Head of Direct.

Interaction with selected voters in the context of democracy, is really a process of political appointments to political positions through elections. Therefore, first, voters as people who have political rights in the state or government, in determining the power of the state or government at the center or in the region. Viewed from the point of active voters as a citizen is a source of state authority / government and concurrently the subject of the power of the state / government is. Second, viewed from the aspect of passive citizens is an object of state power, because he is the party affected by the power of the country. Thus, viewed from the double relationship between voters and the people of the state / government in a democratic country, is on one side of the active participation and on the other hand a passive relationship to the people. In this understanding, Hans Kelsen says, "democracy means the similarity between the leader and being led between subject and object of power, means the people govern the people."

So, people are actually chain of power, without the support of the people, they are both legislative and presidential candidate and head of the region can not do anything. People's voters as a body politic have the right in its choice for legislative and presidential elections as well as regional head in the way the political life of the Indonesian nation state. Election 2009, a significant measure of democracy based on considerations, namely: first, a general election is the best process for determining the political leaders; second, the election becomes the arena of popular participation expression directly to determine the leaders in accordance with their wishes and Third, the legality of the elections institution of regular turnover of power and open access for new actors into the arena of power.

The issues surrounding the national political Indonesia, it was the stigma that society clot became bolder attitudes apathy and even pessimistic about the political process. Election 2009 was a major political events that will bring this nation state political more meaningful, not out of the shadows of people's lack of political participation. Two big agenda in this 2009 election, is the legislative elections (DPD, DPR, Provincial DPRD and Regency / City) on April 9, 2009; and direct Presidential elections in round I and round II in July, in September (when the round I none specified gain votes legislation).

People are constitutionally have room to correct the participation of what is considered not fit with his will. And election as the most democratic instrument to determine who ordered and what the people want government to do. In short form the government.

Voting as a form of political participation of the people in determining whether a person becomes a member of the legislative or presidential elections in 2009, is directly proportional to the attitude of the people who were apathetic and passive. Moreover, this 2009 election, still tinged socialization weakness and confusion in determining the choice.

Social facts, when we refer to the results of direct elections in some areas, it is the low political participation of the people in using the vote as it can be listened to in the picture below.

Quantitatively, the low level of popular participation in using the vote, almost the same in all regions in the implementation of direct elections. Low participation needs to get serious attention from all parties, whether this is due to the socialization of the organizers and related institutions, or indeed lack of public awareness is low, or even because it is the people considered that the election is no direct relationship with changes in life circumstances . From the data described above, the average in the implementation of direct elections ranged from 68.46%. This is much when compared with the implementation of the legislative elections in 2004 (reaching 85%) and the presidential election in 2004 (reaching 75%), although the electoral system does not know the mechanism of 'Quorum'. However, the position of voters as a sovereign people, becomes a very strategic and even can be an important parameter for the success of the election.

That fact picture of political participation in the community using the right voice with the legitimate voice in the implementation of direct elections in some areas with a record level of complexity of almost nothing, while if we imagine in the 2009 elections, it is technically only the sheet is relatively sound much higher level of complexity for legislative elections.

Forms of political participation of people with voting rights, but there are many ballots invalid. This shows that people understand the voters in the ballot which legitimate and which illegitimate, apparently still not fully understood. And the questions arise of how the 2009 election? This is what should be a catalyst in the push socialization, so that voters who use the vote is actually legitimate, not the other way, just a lot of invalid votes. To illustrate the comparison in a direct election, there is not a valid votes average range of 3%, but when examined closely the degree of complexity, there was hardly any.

Data on the picture below just gives invalid votes in the election directly.

Political Participation Transition: Golput!

That wave of popular political participation, as must are in the realm of apathy, passivity and even pessimistic about the country's political process. Sociological facts, in the implementation of direct elections on average just under 70%. Even in the general election, including direct elections, often can not be separated from the individual who does not use invidiu vote. In the context of political sociology that people's political participation is not always involved or uses the vote, but otherwise do not use the vote. This means, that the form of political participation of the people involved in the use of voting rights and do not use the vote was as distinctive in political participation.

Picture of the people do not use the right to vote in direct elections in several regions of West Java Province can be listened to on the picture below.

It seems the trend did not go to vote Golput alias, it shows the significance of direct local elections. Even from the above data that are averaged in the range of 30 to 31%. The question we, of course, that data is not the only one as a justification golput wave will be much higher in the 2009 general election later? However, the transition of political participation by the voters not to use the vote is a normal phenomenon in a democratic country.

In this corridor, which of course is a wise ketidakterlibatan tracking voters, especially those already registered. Voters who do not use the vote, qualitatively, it is an integral part protest silently against the political process that does not bring any significant change in his life. Borrow the words Grabiel A. Almond 'refusal to go to vote can be regarded as a statement of protest quietly'. Although voters may not take advantage of the vote because of technical factors such as work due to economic factors. In the language of Setia Permana (2007: 111) "golput symptoms should be read as the voice of the people who want a better change for the people than they are today." ah pemilu itu sekadar pertarungan elit-elit politik wungkul anu diajukan ku partai politik, jeung kabeh partai politik oge sarua, neangan kakuasaan wungkul, euweuh janjina nu ditepati. Rakyat mah kur dijadikan alat we keur neangan kakuasaan maranehna”. (lihat tesis penulis) (Ah election battle is merely the political elites are submitted by political parties and all political parties are the same, seeking power, there is no promise to keep. People just simply a means to find their power).

Along with the trend golput above, seems to various models in the 2009 elections approach, of course, is crucial to do, rather than with the repressive measures such as the MUI of Golput unlawful. Election 2009 is not just a procedural matter that facilitate democracy for the ruling elite, or the people become the object of power (the political subordination) but zero social responsibility. So if the elite is not wise to ask the people to not golput, while the fate of the people are not concerned: go to hell with the fate of the people.

In other words, if indeed the people apathetic and passive or stupid with the political process in 2009, which does not give confidence "political guarantees" for the welfare of the people, of course, people can avoid the forms of political participation (voting) in the 2009 general election, either to legislative or for the presidential election. Not using the right to vote in the 2009 elections the political process, because people do not put trust in the institutions of democracy: government, political parties, party cadres are good in or parliament in government. Galib So what is the public expression of disappointed be an integral part of this long, because the performance-performance by their cadres of political parties both in parliament and government, it is often disappointing people, so that makes people apathetic and passive to an important event the pretext of democracy.

The sequence of apathy of the people in the political struggle over the years, an indication of the accumulation of disappointment, on the pretext of democracy which does not have a positive impact (both) in public life. Individuals who withdrew from the political process, back support either subjectively or objectively, because rational considerations pragamatis. No vote is a political attitudes of voters toward democracy event. But the performance shown by their political parties as a means of popular political participation and government performance in general, including leadership of public disappointment. Attitudes do not vote against the political process has become a social fact in almost every region that has held direct elections (as illustrated in figure 4). The question is, will not be repeated his 2009 vote in the election?

Phenomenon that developed in the struggle and social life of society is cynical attitude toward political parties and candidates-calegnya. In a sense, the development of political party life image before the public (public), worse off, fade, even cynical about the existence of political parties. This phenomenon, part and parcel of people's confidence crisis on the performance of political parties and party cadres in parliament and in government, because a series of state policies that are not able to give confidence and assurance to the public.

Whereas, in the political process as the legislative elections, presidential and local elections, the success factors necessarily operate, is a voter using voting rights. But it was overshadowed by fears the voices of the people voting as a form of political participation can not flock to use the vote as a punishment against the event of procedural democracy which only became the arena of political elites struggle for power alone, and after that, people divorced, aka masah fool with people's interests.

Absence of confidence that, pasivisme attitudes and public apathy, even antipathy, is an accumulation of disillusionment with the political process all the heart-rending society (such as with another fuel price hike and the like), so that people do not put good hope (pessimism) of the legislative election process and election , and the effect is a crisis of political participation. The crisis of political participation is a loss of (declining) public confidence in the political life of country people, so pasivimse attitude and political apathy, and even cynical about politics (the political meaning of dirty business, politics can not be trusted, manipulation, and power made people without a face). Of the vote when it does not recline or slim hopes of the political process, this means people with a condemnation action does not use the vote to be an integral part of the protest silently against the lack of "guarantees" for the common weal politics (bonnum commune).

Endnotes

Election is the most democratic instrument to form a government. Even the word of Riswanda Lipset (in Miriam Budiardjo and Ibrahim Ambong, 1993: 75), "Election is the expression of democratic struggle," so people can determine who is ruling and what the people want government to do. That is why, has opened the expansion of popular political participation in the delivery and determine who will sit in parliament and the executive, the people who melegitimasinya by giving voice.

However, forms of political participation of people with voting (voting) in the 2009 general election, acknowledged or not being in the encountered problems, namely the emergence of a wave phenomenon as a representation golput disillusionment with the political life of the nation state is not so far brought significant improvement. In other words, people can change (either in parliament or the executive), but the reality of life it still did not change the situation better for people's lives. In a sociological perspective, political participation is an activity or participate civic action involved or not involved mempengaruh and determine public policy, including legislative and presidential elections.

The nature of political participation in the upcoming elections, it becomes crucial to look at and participation in the use ketidakikutsertaan vote. But if we are filled on direct elections instead followed by the absence of voters in using the vote is significant. Will the 2009 election for legislative and presidential golput waves happen?

Attitude apathy and pessimism levels of society to the political process does not even pull away with the vote because the election is just a battle of political elites seeking power. In a sense, procedural democracy is not functional for the public interest, or people simply made a political subordination (the object of power), so people have no hope (slim hope) or views have no hope of a better life for the political process, the political pessimism to be not neglected.

Thus, in order to find the root of the problem does not affect golput to the process and results of the election in 2009, it will not be letting politics of democratic institutions, such as political parties, parliament and the government (they are actually being functional), because of the political persitiwa least legitimite is determined by people as a body politic voters. Procedural democracy is to be able to answer people's expectations, which can be enjoyed prosperity as a consequence of the mutual relations in the political process of legislative and presidential elections.

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