Crisis of Public Trust in Government and the Challenges of Political Ethics in Contemporary Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64268/jilhs.v1i3.124Keywords:
Contemporary Indonesia, Substantive Democracy, Government Crisis, Political Ethics, Public TrustAbstract
Background: In recent years, public confidence in the Indonesian government has shown a noticeable decline. Issues such as corruption, inconsistent law enforcement, and political polarization have contributed to growing public skepticism toward state institutions and political actors. This situation reflects the increasing importance of political ethics in maintaining democratic stability and public legitimacy.
Aims: This article seeks to identify the main factors behind the decline of public trust in government and to explore the ethical challenges emerging within Indonesia’s contemporary political environment.
Methods: The study applies a qualitative descriptive approach based on literature review. Information and data were gathered from academic publications, policy discussions, books, and credible media sources related to governance, public trust, and political ethics in Indonesia.
Result: The analysis indicates that public distrust is strongly influenced by unethical political behavior, limited governmental transparency, and the perception that political interests are often prioritized over public welfare. Moreover, the spread of misinformation and the rise of pragmatic political practices further weaken democratic values and ethical standards in politics.
Conclusion: The decline of public trust cannot be separated from the weakening of ethical principles in political practice. Strengthening accountability, integrity, and ethical awareness among political actors is necessary to rebuild public confidence and support healthier democratic governance in Indonesia.
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