POLITICAL IDENTITY IN SUNDANESE ETHNIC: PAGUYUBAN PASUNDAN (COMMUNITY) AND REGIONAL HEAD ELECTION CONTESTATION IN 2020

This article describes the phenomenon of Sundanese political identity by Paguyuban Pasundan in the 2020 regional head elections in various regions such as Medan City, Malawi Regency, Riau Islands Province, and Jembrana Regency, where ethnic similarities and similar interests are the two factors behind the support of Pasundan Association. in supporting one of the candidate pairs in the regional head election in that area. This article uses the theory of political identity. The research method uses qualitative descriptive analysis. The data collection method was used through a study of related literature to explore and describe how political identity is used as a basis for supporting candidate pairs. Researchers use at least two different sources or methods to collect similar data. Triangulation of sources used in this research was carried out by confirming articles that showed support for the candidate pair as well as several statements issued by the Pasundan community regarding support for the candidate pairThe results of this paper illustrate that the Pasundan community in the regional head election contest supports one pair of candidates based on the same identity. In this case, Sundanese ethnicity and similar interests, which is the struggle of the Pasundan community to fight poverty and ignorance through the availability of employment opportunities and improving the quality of education seen from the commitment of the candidate pair to carry these aspirations in their leadership if elected in the 2020 regional head election

MUSICAL THEATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS: ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISCOURSES IN “DPR – MUSIKAL” (2021)

“DPR - Musikal” is a highly acclaimed and ambitious musical theater video created by SkinnyIndonesian24 (Jovial da Lopez & Andovi da Lopez) that features a compelling environmental message. This piece depicts the contested meaning of nature and how it is influenced by different interests in the DPR. This research will examine the environmental politics discourses present in “DPR - Musikal” as an artistic creation that establishes a connection between environmental concerns and the notion of power. The research employed a qualitative approach and utilized Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) by Norman Fairclough. Data was gathered through video transcripts, direct interviews with informants (Jovial da Lopez), and additional documents. This research identifies two discourses in the piece: (1) sustainable development which reconciles the objectives of development agenda and environmental conservation, and (2) anti-capitalism which is identified through the narratives of land privatization, natural resources exploitation, and capitalism’s dominance in policymaking within the Indonesian parliament. These two discourses represent contrasting political thoughts, hence confirming incohesive solutions to the environmental problems. Although the producers condemn the dominance of business power and the exploitation of nature, they do not present a radical opposition to capitalism. Instead, they exhibit a lenient stance towards the development agenda, thus exemplifying the dominant influence of capitalist ideology within the musical theater production

STUDENTS AND NATIONAL POLITICS; PERCEPTION OF BANDUNG AND JAKARTA CITY STUDENTS OF NATIONAL INSIGHTS, RELIGIOUS MODERATION AND RELIGIOUS RADICALISM

Indonesia is a multicultural nation with a variety of ethnic groups, religions, and faiths. This diversity can be an advantage and at the same time can cause horizontal conflict in society. Ideology and national politics owned by the Indonesian people are important as guidelines in the life of the nation and state within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Students as one of the important elements in the journey of the Indonesian nation need to get attention related to the discourse of national politics. This research seeks to see students' perceptions related to national politics, religious moderation, and religious radicalism. The research was conducted using a quantitative approach and survey method. Respondents were university students in Jakarta and Bandung (200 people). This study aims to map the perceptions of students in Jakarta and Bandung towards national politics, religious moderation, and religious radicalism and to see whether there is an influence of understanding of national politics and religious moderation on religious radicalism among students in Jakarta and Bandung. The results showed that in students' perceptions of the understanding of national politics, religious moderation, and religious radicalism, the majority are in the moderate category or not good enough (average 55%). In addition, the influence of understanding nationalism and religious moderation on religious radicalism was also found to be 3.1%. This means that there is still a need to increase students' understanding in Jakarta and Bandung of national politics, religious moderation, and religious radicalism

TRADITIONAL DOWRY IN REPRESSING PAPUAN WOMEN’S POLITICAL REPRESENTATION JAYAPURA CITY LEGISLATIVE 2014-2019

This research investigated the impact of traditional dowry payments on the low political representation of indigenous Papuan women in the Jayapura City legislature from 2014 to 2019. Despite the election of four indigenous Papuan women to the Jayapura City legislature in 2014, there remains a significant gap in representation. This qualitative research gathered data through interviews with 30 respondents, including seven influential community figures, seven husbands of indigenous Papuan women, six Papuan students, two lecturers, three members of political parties, two female Papuan legislators, one representative from the General Election Commission, one member of the Papuan People’s Council, and the head of the Population and Civil Registry Service. Observational data were gathered from the General Election Commission Office and the indigenous Papuan community in Jayapura City. Documentation review further supplemented the research, focusing on legislative representation data, voter turnout, and customary dowry payment records for indigenous Papuan women. The data underwent rigorous re-validation to ensure the analysis accurately reflected the reality of how traditional dowry practices hinder the political participation of indigenous Papuan women in the Jayapura City legislature during the specified period. The findings reveal that the obligation for indigenous Papuan women to adhere to their husbands’ directives, a consequence of dowry payments, significantly limits their ability to engage in political activities, including legislative candidacy and community campaigning. This restriction was exemplified in the 2019 election, where only one indigenous Papuan woman was elected to the Jayapura City legislature

REDEFINING AMERICAN INTERESTS: ANALYZING US POLICY SHIFTS DURING THE SPACE RACE WITH CHINA (2011-2021)

This research delves into the changing patterns of identity and anarchy culture experienced by the United States in the chronology of the space race with China from 2011 to 2021. Utilizing Alexander Wendt’s constructivist theory, this study explores the transformation in US space policy as a response to China’s growing presence in space exploration. The qualitative methodology employed involves thematic analysis of secondary data sources, including congressional minutes, official statements, media coverage, and public speeches. The findings reveal a dynamic shift in the US’s identity, influenced by its interactions on the international stage. During the Cold War, the US’s identity, shaped by a Hobbesian culture of anarchy, was marked by rivalry with the Soviet Union. Post-Cold War, the focus shifted to demonstrating leadership through international cooperation, reflecting a Kantian logic. However, with the emergence of China as a formidable competitor, the US identity has once again transformed, now characterized by a Lockean culture of competition rather than direct conflict. This shift has led to significant policy reformulations, including strategic partnerships and renewed emphasis on self-reliance in space missions, such as the Artemis program and collaboration with private sector companies like SpaceX. These results highlight the intricate relationship between national identity, perceived threats, and policy responses, underscoring the fluid nature of US space policy in the context of global space contestation

RUSSIA-CHINA PARTNERSHIP: AFTERMATH CONSEQUENCES OF THE UKRAINE CRISIS

This research examines the Russia-China alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, which impacted the world and led to polarity in international politics. The United States and its western allies have tried to weaken Russia’s dominance economically and politically. At the same time, China has supported and strengthened cooperation with Russia. This study uses a qualitative method by analyzing and critically reading the data collected through literature study. The result found that the expansion of NATO membership triggers Russia to act because of external threats. The West agreed to embargoes and sanctions against Russia, affecting 90% of Russian oil and gas markets. However, Russia showed its strength and warned of nuclear threats. This study also contends that amid the US pressure that caused Russia to lose its Western buyers, China backed Russia and became its potential oil buyer. The US pressure on Russia has brought Russia-China even closer

AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERFORMANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF POLITICAL STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN INDONESIA

The purpose of this study is to analyze the performance and effectiveness of political policy strategies in Indonesia using a quantitative research method with a snowball sampling technique with a sample size of 1,200 respondents from 38 provinces. margin of error of approximately 5 percent at a 95 percent confidence level with descriptive statistical data techniques where the data used to describe or summarize the main characteristics of the analysis of performance and effectiveness of political strategy leadership in Indonesia, the data tool uses SPSS statistics version 26, with a time of 2 years, with the results of the analysis of performance and effectiveness of political strategy leadership in Indonesia where scientific selection and training of workers, the role of civil society, political parties, the military, and do not know with an average of 86%

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION OF INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT; CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS ON INDONESIAN MINISTRIES SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

The Indonesian government is committed to preserving the global environment in the global climate summit or COP-Conference of Parties. The Government communicates its concern through social media to adapt to the massive number of social media users in Indonesia. This study aims to investigate the Indonesian Governments communication on environmental issues on social media. It adopts critical discourse analysis of Teun A Van Dijk to understand the phenomenon with data collected from published content of the Ministry of Environment and Ministry- KLHK and Ministry of State Secretary- Kemensetneg’s social media account. This study shows that those two social media accounts have low attention to environmental issues. Macrostructural analysis displays that KLHK’s social media publications focus on issues such as recycling and climate change literacy. In contrast, the Ministry of State Secretariat focuses on government policies related to environmental issues. Meanwhile, the superstructure analysis shows content that resembles mainstream media content with a cube inverted pyramid structure. The microstructure analysis shows that the content published by the two ministries targets a young audience by using non-formal language, greetings for young people, and attractive graphics and photos

POLITICS AND SOCIAL WELFARE: DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ON ELECTABILITY IN INDONESIA

This research aims to analyze the relationship between political policy and social welfare, with a focus on the dynamics of the Social Assistance Program (Bansos) and its impact on electability in Indonesia. In a dynamic political context, social assistance programs have a significant role in shaping public perceptions of government performance. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. This research found that the main focus of social assistance is on the poor as the group most in need. Unfortunately, the practice of politicizing social assistance often occurs before general elections, obscuring its true purpose. Research notes cases of politicization, such as the use of the Family Hope Program as a campaign tool, detrimental to the essence of the welfare program. Regulatory reform, application of the concept of graduation, and policy focus on economic empowerment are crucial steps to maintain the effectiveness of social assistance, avoid the risk of politicization, and address the root causes of poverty in a sustainable manner. The decision of the Government and DPR to shorten the campaign period further increases the risk of politicization, especially with the existence of a socialization period which can be used to maneuver without sanctions. Criticism of the increase in the allocation of social assistance funds indicates the potential for pork barrel politics, where the government may use it selectively for the benefit of increasing electability. Increased supervision, transparency, political literacy, and a strong media role are key in overcoming the complex challenges of politicization of social assistance and pork barrel politics ahead of the elections

PERILAKU POLITIK SANTRI PADA PILKADA LAMPUNG SELATAN TAHUN 2020: STUDI PADA PESANTREN TRADISONAL DAN PESANTREN MODERN

Perilaku politik adalah perilaku atau tindakan yang dilakukan oleh individu maupun kelompok untuk memenuhi hak dan kewajibannya sebagai insan politik. Santri yang berada di pesantren memiliki kendala mengakses informasi dari luar terutama terkait pilkada yang akan dilaksanakan, sehingga kemungkinan akan mempengaruhi perilaku politik dalam menentukan pilihan politik santri. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membahas mengenai perilaku politik santri di Pondok Pesantren Assalafiyah Tanjung Rame sebagai pesantren tradisional dan di Pondok Pesantren Terpadu Ushuluddin sebagai pesantren modern dalam Pemilihan Bupati dan Wakil Bupati Lampung Selatan Tahun 2020. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif, dalam menentukan informan menggunakan teknik purposive sampling dengan menyesuaikan kebutuhan data untuk kepentingan penelitian. Teknik pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini adalah observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa terdapat perbedaan perilaku politik, pada Pondok Pesantren Assalafiyah Tanjung Rame, santri memberikan pertimbangan pilihan politiknya dengan melihat agama kandidat, organisasi masyarakat dan partai yang berbasis Islam. Kepatuhan santri kepada kiai sangat kuat dalam menentukan pilihan politik, sehingga kiai menjadi rujukan utama dalam menentukan pilihan politik, dan santri tidak memiliki keberanian menentangnya. Berbeda dengan santri di Pondok Pesantren Terpadu Ushuluddin, santri terlihat lebih rasional, memilih dengan pilihannya sendiri dan kiai tidak menjadi sumber utama mementukan pilihan politik