Category: Book
Authors: Anna Margret, Cristina Dwi Susanti, Dirga Ardiansa, Fariz Panghegar, Inggrid Silitongga, Irwansyah, Mia Novitasari, Nurul Nurhandjati, Sri Budi Eko Wardani, and Veri Junaedi
Pages: 85
ISBN: 978-979-19089-8-6
Publisher: PUSKAPOL FISIP UI
Year: 2015
Price: IDR 50,000 (students) | IDR 65,000 (general public)
Book Description
PUSKAPOL UI and DEMOS collaborated on a research project examining political transactions in elections. Political transactions commonly occur in everyday political activities, particularly during election periods, between candidates and citizens. However, these transactions are often non-programmatic, conducted behind closed doors, unlawful (corrupt), and disregard the long-term interests of citizens. Candidates frequently seek electoral support through short-term exchanges, such as distributing money, goods, or temporary populist programs.
This book proposes an alternative strategy for addressing non-programmatic political transactions by transforming them into programmatic political transactions—arrangements that are transparent, based on citizens’ interests, and implemented through non-discriminatory public programs. This approach is built around the strategy of Know – Be Capable – Monitor (Tahu – Mampu – Awasi).
Citizens are encouraged to organize themselves to identify and map their interests, then develop them into a collective agenda of demands (Know). They should then work to ensure that these shared demands are accepted by all electoral candidates and secure commitments from them to fulfill these demands if elected (Be Capable). Finally, citizens should actively monitor elected officials to ensure that they honor these commitments (Monitor).
This book seeks to fill a gap in political education by focusing on the articulation and representation of citizens’ interests. Elections provide an important opportunity for citizens to present their concerns and establish collective demands for candidates. Making citizens’ interests visible is essential for holding elected officials accountable and ensuring that political participation extends beyond election day itself.
