Indonesia Social and Political System

3 SKS, SPFAI212102

Course Description

The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) students from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) who will join this class in the even semester of the 2024/2025 academic year are prospective practitioners and experts in the fields of international relations, politics, communication, sociology, public policy, and social welfare. Knowledge of the socio-political system and key actors at the domestic level is crucial. Understanding the socio-political context should not be seen as a limitation on policy, but rather as a context that enables change and improvement in the social and political system. Domestic politics also significantly influences the direction of our foreign policy.

This course is designed to equip FISIPOL students to analyze trends and changes in Indonesian democracy. It is important to note that political transition does not necessarily lead to a move toward political openness, but also creates room for reversal (Huntington, 1991). Democratic reversal is characterized by the tendency of political forces to reintroduce an oligarchic political culture, the return of authoritarianism, and the restriction of civil liberties. Therefore, to navigate the challenges inherent in maintaining a healthy democratic climate, a comprehensive understanding of Indonesia’s social and political system is crucial for students and observers.

Therefore, this course will examine various perspectives put forward by experts, such as plural society, dual economy, ersatz capitalism, aliran politics, consociational democracy, and others. These concepts are not merely reviewed as final concepts, but rather as perspectives that also have their critiques in line with scientific developments. Furthermore, this course will examine the profiles and ideologies of influential political forces within Indonesia’s social and political system, how they influence policy, and their potential for building our democracy. Mass organizations, political parties, civil society, and other political forces will be the focus of the study. Furthermore, constitutional mechanisms within Indonesian democracy, such as the general election system, will be reviewed. Furthermore, other important aspects, such as minority issues and issues related to national integration, are also highly relevant for discussion.

This course introduces an election simulation called “Campaign Royale,” where students explore election strategies and engage with constituents in class through debates of ideas and debates. A culture of debate is crucial to strengthening a democratic society.

Expected Learning Outcome

Students are capable of reflecting on the classical theories and their critiques studied in this course to contemporary Indonesian socio-political developments, including: (1) the systems approach in political science; (2) the theory of pluralistic societies; (3) the theory of political movements; (4) consociationalism; (5) the concept of dual economy; (6) contemporary theories.
Students can fabricate arguments and critically examine the development of Indonesian democracy through election simulations, exhibitions, and film viewing. This allows them to understand how political forces influence the degree of democratic openness and how political actors synergize to maintain this democratic state.
Students can analyze influential political actors in the life of the nation and state in Indonesia.
Students are capable of reflecting on Indonesian political life in the spirit of forming a just, peaceful, and civilized global society.