Democracy in Digital Era: An Analysis of Reshaping Civic Participation After the 2014 Election in Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract: This article analizes the role of social media as a new space and framework for democratization in the information technology era on political dynamics in Indonesia, especially after the 2014 election. The rapid development of information technology in the last two decades has had significant implications for the democratization process and improved government performance, transparancy, accountability, communication and public political participation. However, on the other hand, the transfornation in the implementation of values and pillars in democracy that is accelerating with the advancment of information technology, especially social media, has also cretaed a threat to the sustainability of democratization in Indonesia. Increasing pasticipation means opening up the potential for political turbulances to increase. This article uses a qualitative method with an analysis of literature reviews. This article find that the 2014 election contestation become a momentum for the transformation of a new citizens political culture and a new chapter for the journey of democracy in Indonesia. Community political participation which is facilitated unlimitedly by social media platform has increased political propaganda and manipilation from politicans, polarization of power politics, hyper-partisanship, intolerance, hate speech and hoaxes that have the potential to increase horizontal conflict. As a country with diverse social and political backgrounds, the presence of social media as a consequence of technological development has become a serious challenge for the future of democracy in Indonesia.