Public Critique Through Mass Action: An Examination of the State Capture Phenomenon in Public Policy in Indonesia
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Indonesia’s public policy landscape has recently been marked by mass mobilizations opposing the Constitutional Court Law amendment, the Broadcasting Bill, regional election law revisions, and the Nusantara Capital City development. This study examines the state capture phenomenon where political and economic elites shape policy for narrow gains and the role of mass action as an informal democratic critique mechanism. A descriptive-analytical multiple-case study methodology was employed, triangulating policy documents, theoretical literature, and media reports. Analysis identifies five indicators of state capture: weakened accountability institutions, opaque legislation, pro-elite policymaking, nepotism, and legal dominance. Findings reveal that these policies form an interlocking strategy undermining judicial independence and press freedom while consolidating political power. In response, online and offline social movements deploy issue framing around democracy, corruption, and human rights to mobilize broad public support. The study confirms that mass action serves as a vital check-and-balance for safeguarding Indonesia’s constitutional democracy resilience.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
[1] M. R. Saputra and N. Hilyatunisa, “Redefining Executive Power: Evolution ofPresidential and Vice Presidential Roles in Indonesia’s Post-Amendment Constitutional System,” Lit. Int. Sci. Journals Soc. Educ. Humanit., vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 440– 451, 2025, doi: 10.56910/literacy.v4i2.2697.
[2] D. Kaufmann, “State capture matters,” in Public Sector Performance, Corruption andState Capture in a Globalized World, London: Routledge, 2024, pp. 207–237. doi:10.4324/9781003416234-14.
[3] E. Dávid-Barrett, “State capture and development: a conceptual framework,” J. Int.Relations Dev., vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 224–244, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.1057/s41268-02300290-6.
[4] S. L. Wahyuningroem, R. Sirait, U. Uljanatunnisa, and D. Heryadi, “Youth politicalparticipation and digital movement in Indonesia: the case of #ReformasiDikorupsiand #TolakOmnibusLaw,” F1000Research, vol. 12, p. 543, Apr. 2024, doi:10.12688/f1000research.122669.3.
[5] M. Fazekas and I. J. Tóth, “From Corruption to State Capture,” Polit. Res. Q., vol. 69,no. 2, pp. 320–334, Jun. 2016, doi: 10.1177/1065912916639137.
[6] A. Jamil, “Social Movements in Framing Perspectives: A Study on Corruption CaseIssues in Indonesia,” J. Komun. Indones., vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 174–191, Oct. 2018, doi:10.7454/jki.v7i2.9989.
[7] C. Saunders and K. Malone, State Capture: How to Recognize and React to it. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (InternationalIDEA), 2025. doi: 10.31752/idea.2025.23.
[8] S. Rose-Ackerman, “When is Corruption Harmful?,” in Political Corruption, Routledge, 2017, pp. 353–372. doi: 10.4324/9781315126647-32.
[9] T. L. Karl, “Extreme Inequality and State Capture: The Crisis of Liberal Democracyin The United States,” Chinese Polit. Sci. Rev., vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 164–187, Jun. 201doi: 10.1007/s41111-019-00122-4.
[10] R. Octora, “Konstruksi Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Kebebasan Pers Dalam IusConstituendum Indonesia,” Arena Huk., vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 500–519, Dec. 2018, doi:10.21776/ub.arenahukum.2018.01003.5.
[11] B. R. Pambudi, M. M. Taufiqurrohman, and M. I. Maulana, “Recall Election MelaluPeradilan Sebagai Mekanisme Demokratisasi Pasca Pemilu,” Mimb. Huk., vol. 35, n2, pp. 48–83, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.22146/mh.v35i2.5256.
[12] N. A. Ramadhani, Z. H. Salma, F. P. J. Zai, and R. Ridwan, “Analisis Dampak EkosisteLingkungan terhadap Kebijakan Pembangunan Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) dKalimantan Timur,” Public Serv. Gov. J., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 09–26, Jan. 2025, doi:10.56444/psgj.v6i1.2203.
[13] M. R. Saputra and T. Syahuri, “Analisis Dampak Revisi UU Mahkamah KonstitusiTerhadap Independensi Hakim Di Indonesia,” Jemb. Huk. Kaji. ilmu Hukum, Sos. daAdm. Negara, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 80–89, Jun. 2024, doi: 10.62383/jembatan.v1i3.422
[14] I. M. Halmadiningrat and A. Firdharizki, “Politik Hukum Undang-Undang tentangIbu Kota Negara dan Akibatnya terhadap Perlindungan Lingkungan pada HakMasyarakat Adat di Kalimantan Timur,” J. Huk. Lingkung. Indones., vol. 9, no. 2, p333–374, Nov. 2024, doi: 10.38011/jhli.v9i2.601.