Ideological Contestation and Identity Politics in the Sustainability of Indonesian Elections
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64268/jilhs.v1i3.123Keywords:
Democratic Sustainability, Electoral Politics, Identity Politics, Indonesian Elections, Political IdeologyAbstract
Background: Indonesia’s electoral democracy continues to evolve alongside the growing influence of ideological rivalry and identity-based political narratives. In recent elections, political actors have increasingly used religious, ethnic, and social identities to attract public support, creating challenges for democratic consistency and national cohesion.
Aims: This study examines the relationship between political ideology and identity politics and their influence on the continuity and quality of electoral democracy in Indonesia.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive method was applied through literature analysis and the examination of political developments related to Indonesian elections. The study used secondary data from scholarly articles, books, and official reports.
Result: The study shows that identity politics has become a dominant strategy in electoral competition because it effectively shapes voter preferences and public opinion. However, excessive reliance on identity issues may intensify political polarization and reduce the focus on substantive policy debates. Meanwhile, ideological competition still plays an important role in maintaining democratic direction and political accountability.
Conclusion: The interaction between ideology and identity politics strongly influences the sustainability of elections in Indonesia. Strengthening civic education, democratic values, and inclusive political participation is necessary to support a more stable and substantive democratic process.
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