Democratic practices in Indonesia: youth political participation and the transformation of protest communication in the digital era
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21831/jss.v21i2.96696Abstract
This study examines the practice of democracy learning in Indonesia by emphasizing the importance of citizen involvement in democratic processes, particularly through public demonstrations. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews, observations, and a comprehensive literature review as data collection methods. The data were derived from reports on public protests in both print and online media, as well as expert interviews relevant to the issue. The findings indicate a notable shift in the patterns of youth participation in political engagement. In addition to conventional forms of protest, such as physical demonstrations, contemporary participation has increasingly expanded into digital spaces, where efforts to amplify issues through social media virality play a crucial role in mobilizing public support. Furthermore, the study identifies a transformation in the language and style of protest among Indonesian youth compared to those observed during the Reform Era. These demonstrations reflect a rational expression of citizens’ concerns toward national issues, representing an important dimension of civic competence in a democratic society.
References
Acharya, R., Singh, A., Santhya, K. G., Ram, F., Jejeebhoy, S., Ram, U., & Mohanty, S. (2010). Participation in civil society and political life among young people in Maharashtra: Findings from the Youth in India - Situation and Needs study. Journal of Adolescence, 33(4), 553–561. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.05.012
Addi M Idhom. (2019). Isi RUU KUHP dan Pasal Kontroversial Penyebab Demo Mahasiswa Meluas. Tirto.Id.
Asfahani, F., Kadiyala, S., & Ghattas, H. (2019). Food Insecurity and Subjective Wellbeing Among Arab Youth Living in Varying Contexts of Political Instability. Journal of Adolescent Health, 64(1), 70–78. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.08.010
Barbosa, L., Portilho, F., Wilkinson, J., & Dubeux, V. (2014). Trust, participation and political consumerism among Brazilian youth. Journal of Cleaner Production, 63, 93–101. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.08.044
Bode, L. (2017). Feeling the pressure: Attitudes about volunteering and their effect on civic and political behaviors. Journal of Adolescence, 57, 23–30. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.03.004
Cahill, H., & Dadvand, B. (2018). Re-conceptualising youth participation: A framework to inform action. Children and Youth Services Review, 95, 243–253. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.11.001
Catalano, R. F., Skinner, M. L., Alvarado, G., Kapungu, C., Reavley, N., Patton, G. C., Jessee, C., Plaut, D., Moss, C., Bennett, K., Sawyer, S. M., Sebany, M., Sexton, M., Olenik, C., & Petroni, S. (2019). Positive Youth Development Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Conceptual Framework and Systematic Review of Efficacy. Journal of Adolescent Health, 65(1), 15–31. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.01.024
Chavez, L. R., Campos, B., Corona, K., Sanchez, D., & Ruiz, C. B. (2019). Words hurt: Political rhetoric, emotions/affect, and psychological well-being among Mexican-origin youth. Social Science & Medicine, 228, 240–251. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.03.008
Checkoway, B. (2011). What is youth participation? Children and Youth Services Review, 33(2), 340–345. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.09.017
Checkoway, B., Allison, T., & Montoya, C. (2005). Youth participation in public policy at the municipal level. Children and Youth Services Review, 27(10), 1149–1162. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2005.01.001
Choi, J., Lee, J. K., & Metzgar, E. T. (2017). Investigating effects of social media news sharing on the relationship between network heterogeneity and political participation. Computers in Human Behavior, 75, 25–31. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.05.003
Cicognani, E., Zani, B., Fournier, B., Gavray, C., & Born, M. (2012). Gender differences in youths’ political engagement and participation. The role of parents and of adolescents’ social and civic participation. Journal of Adolescence, 35(3), 561–576. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.10.002
Conroy-Krutz, J. (2018). Media exposure and political participation in a transitional African context. World Development, 110, 224–242. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.05.002
Datzberger, S., & Le Mat, M. L. J. (2019). Schools as change agents? Education and individual political agency in Uganda. International Journal of Educational Development, 67, 18–28. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2019.02.007
Dawkins, R. (2017). Political participation, personality, and the conditional effect of campaign mobilization. Electoral Studies, 45, 100–109. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2016.11.018
Dewantara, K. H. (1977). Karya Ki Hadjar Dewantara Bagian Pertama : Pendidikan. Majelis Luhur Persatuan Taman Siswa.
Dotti Sani, G. M., & Quaranta, M. (2015). Chips off the old blocks? The political participation patterns of parents and children in Italy. Social Science Research, 50, 264–276. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2014.12.002
Farzanegan, M. R., & Witthuhn, S. (2017). Corruption and political stability: Does the youth bulge matter? European Journal of Political Economy, 49, 47–70. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2016.12.007
Feng, X., & Johansson, A. C. (2014). Escaping political extraction: Political participation, institutions, and cash holdings in China. China Economic Review, 30, 98–112. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2014.05.002
Gan, C., Lee, F. L. F., & Li, Y. (2017). Social media use, political affect, and participation among university students in urban China. Telematics and Informatics, 34(7), 936–947. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2017.04.002
Head, B. W. (2011). Why not ask them? Mapping and promoting youth participation. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(4), 541–547. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.05.015
Idhom, A. M. (2019). Isi RUU KUHP dan pasal kontroversial penyebab demo mahasiswa meluas. Tirto.Id.
Ikeda, K., Kobayashi, T., & Hoshimoto, M. (2008). Does political participation make a difference? The relationship between political choice, civic engagement and political efficacy. Electoral Studies, 27(1), 77–88. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2007.11.004
Isaksson, A.-S. (2014). Political participation in Africa: The role of individual resources. Electoral Studies, 34, 244–260. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2013.09.008
Janoski, T., & Gran, B. (2002). Political Citizenship: Foundations Of Rights. In E. F. Isin & B. S. Turner (Eds.), Handbook of Citizenship Studies. SAGE Publications.
Jónsson, Ó. P., & Garces Rodriguez, A. (2019). Educating democracy: Competences for a democratic culture. Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, 1746197919886873. https://doi.org/10.1177/1746197919886873
Kim, J., & Hyun, K. D. (2017). Political disagreement and ambivalence in new information environment: Exploring conditional indirect effects of partisan news use and heterogeneous discussion networks on SNSs on political participation. Telematics and Informatics, 34(8), 1586–1596. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2017.07.005
Kim, M. (2018). How does Facebook news use lead to actions in South Korea? The role of Facebook discussion network heterogeneity, political interest, and conflict avoidance in predicting political participation. Telematics and Informatics, 35(5), 1373–1381. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2018.03.007
Kim, Y., & Chen, H.-T. (2016). Social media and online political participation: The mediating role of exposure to cross-cutting and like-minded perspectives. Telematics and Informatics, 33(2), 320–330. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2015.08.008
Kim, Y., & Khang, H. (2014). Revisiting civic voluntarism predictors of college students’ political participation in the context of social media. Computers in Human Behavior, 36, 114–121. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.044
Kim, Y., & Stattin, H. (2019). Parent-youth discussions about politics from age 13 to 28. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 62, 249–259. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2019.04.001
Koiranen, I., Koivula, A., Saarinen, A., & Keipi, T. (2019). Ideological Motives, Digital Divides, and Political Polarization: How Do Political Party Preference and Values Correspond with the Political Use of Social Media? Telematics and Informatics, 101322. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2019.101322
Korzenevica, M. (2016). Young people navigating political engagement through post-war instability and mobility: A case from rural Nepal. Geoforum, 74, 19–28. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.05.006
Lau, C. M., Scully, G., & Lee, A. (2018). The effects of organizational politics on employee motivations to participate in target setting and employee budgetary participation. Journal of Business Research, 90, 247–259. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.05.002
Leal, D. L., & Teigen, J. M. (2018). Military service and political participation in the United States: Institutional experience and the vote. Electoral Studies, 53, 99–110. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2017.09.004
Lee, A. R., & Suzanne Horsley, J. (2017). The role of social media on positive youth development: An analysis of 4-H Facebook page and 4-H’ers’ positive development. Children and Youth Services Review, 77, 127–138. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.04.014
Levintova, E., & Butterfield, J. (2010). History education and historical remembrance in contemporary Russia: Sources of political attitudes of pro-Kremlin youth. Communist and Post-Communist Studies, 43(2), 139–166. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postcomstud.2009.10.008
Levy, B. L. M. (2016). Advising a Model United Nations club: A scaffolded youth-adult partnership to foster active participation and political engagement. Teaching and Teacher Education, 59, 13–27. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.04.001
Lim, C., Thanq, V. C. Der, & Liang, R. (2013). Singapore Youth’s New Media Participation: Consuming, being, Learning and Schooling. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, 727–731. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.09.270
Lin, J. L. L., Chan, M., Kwong, K., & Au, L. (2018). Promoting positive youth development for Asian American youth in a Teen Resource Center: Key components, outcomes, and lessons learned. Children and Youth Services Review, 91, 413–423. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.06.040
Liu, J., Modrek, S., & Sieverding, M. (2019). The effects of political protests on youth human capital and well-being in Egypt. Social Science & Medicine, 243, 112602. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112602
Manganelli, S., Alivernini, F., Lucidi, F., & Di Leo, I. (2012). Expected Political Participation in Italy: a Study based on Italian ICCS Data. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 1476–1481. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.05.324
Min, S. J., & Wohn, D. Y. (2018). All the news that you don’t like: Cross-cutting exposure and political participation in the age of social media. Computers in Human Behavior, 83, 24–31. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.01.015
Oni, A. A., Oni, S., Mbarika, V., & Ayo, C. K. (2017). Empirical study of user acceptance of online political participation: Integrating Civic Voluntarism Model and Theory of Reasoned Action. Government Information Quarterly, 34(2), 317–328. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2017.02.003
Pattie, C., & Johnston, R. (2013). Personal mobilisation, civic norms and political participation. Geoforum, 45, 178–189. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2012.11.002
Priestley, M., Stickings, M., Loja, E., Grammenos, S., Lawson, A., Waddington, L., & Fridriksdottir, B. (2016). The political participation of disabled people in Europe: Rights, accessibility and activism. Electoral Studies, 42, 1–9. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2016.01.009
Ramey, H. L., Lawford, H. L., & Rose-Krasnor, L. (2017). Doing for others: Youth’s contributing behaviors and psychological engagement in youth-adult partnerships. Journal of Adolescence, 55, 129–138. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.01.001
Reidy, C. M., Taylor, L. K., Merrilees, C. E., Ajduković, D., Čorkalo Biruški, D., & Cummings, E. M. (2015). The political socialization of youth in a post-conflict community. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 45, 11–23. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2014.12.005
Robalo, P., Schram, A., & Sonnemans, J. (2017). Other-regarding preferences, in-group bias and political participation: An experiment. Journal of Economic Psychology, 62, 130–154. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2017.04.009
Ross, A. S., & Rivers, D. J. (2017). Digital cultures of political participation: Internet memes and the discursive delegitimization of the 2016 U.S Presidential candidates. Discourse, Context & Media, 16, 1–11. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcm.2017.01.001
Russo, S., & Amnå, E. (2016). When political talk translates into political action: The role of personality traits. Personality and Individual Differences, 100, 126–130. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.12.009
Šerek, J., Machackova, H., & Macek, P. (2018). Who crosses the norms? Predictors of the readiness for non-normative political participation among adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 62, 18–26. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.11.001
Sherrod, L. R., Quiñones, O., & Davila, C. (2004). Youth’s political views and their experience of September 11, 2001. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 25(2), 149–170. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2004.02.002
Solovyeva, M. A. (2014). Image of the «Real» and «Ideal» State at Representatives of Youth and «Adult» Political Subcultures in Russia. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 140, 15–20. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.04.380
Stake, R. E. (2000). The Case Study Method in Social Inquiry. In Case Study Method Key Issues, Key Texts (p. 17). SAGE Publications.
Steinberg, A. (2015). Exploring Web 2.0 political engagement: Is new technology reducing the biases of political participation? Electoral Studies, 39, 102–116. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2015.05.003
Teney, C., & Hanquinet, L. (2012). High political participation, high social capital? A relational analysis of youth social capital and political participation. Social Science Research, 41(5), 1213–1226. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2012.03.012
Thompson, A. L., & Do, Y. (2019). Unconventional spoken iconicity follows a conventional structure: Evidence from demonstrations. Speech Communication, 113, 36–46. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.specom.2019.08.002
Vesnic-Alujevic, L. (2012). Political participation and web 2.0 in Europe: A case study of Facebook. Public Relations Review, 38(3), 466–470. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2012.01.010
Vraga, E. K., Thorson, K., Kligler-Vilenchik, N., & Gee, E. (2015). How individual sensitivities to disagreement shape youth political expression on Facebook. Computers in Human Behavior, 45, 281–289. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.12.025
Wahab, A. A., & Sapriya. (2011). Teori & Landasan Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan. Alfabeta.
Wang, T. Y. (2019). Generations, political attitudes and voting behavior in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Electoral Studies, 58, 80–83. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2018.12.007
Woodward, B., Smart, D., & Benavides-Vaello, S. (2016). Modifiable Factors that Support Political Participation by Nurses. Journal of Professional Nursing, 32(1), 54–61. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2015.06.005
Yoldaş, Ö. B. (2015). Civic Education and Learning Democracy: Their Importance for Political Participation of Young People. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 174, 544–549. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.703
Zhu, A. Y. F., Chan, A. L. S., & Chou, K. L. (2019). Creative social media use and political participation in young people: The moderation and mediation role of online political expression. Journal of Adolescence, 77, 108–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.10.010
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ach Fawaidi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
