Melawan Lupa - Jatuh Bangun Demokrasi Kita

Summary

The video script delves into the complex journey of democracy in Indonesia, highlighting its evolution and challenges. It discusses the initial adoption of democracy post-independence as a counter to feudal and authoritarian rule, the shift from presidential to parliamentary systems, and the experiments with different democratic models. The script critiques the 'guided democracy' era under President Soekarno and the 'Pancasila democracy' under President Soeharto, both characterized by concentrated power and perceived autocratic tendencies. It also touches on the Reformasi era, which brought about significant constitutional amendments and a more decentralized power structure, aiming for a balance of power among the judiciary, executive, and legislative branches. Despite improvements, the script points out that Indonesia's democracy still grapples with procedural aspects over substantive ones, indicating a need for deeper democratic values and practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia's democracy has faced numerous challenges and is often criticized for its perceived excesses and deviations.
• 🏛️ The country's political system has evolved through different models of democracy, including liberal democracy and guided democracy under Soekarno and Suharto respectively.
• 🔄 There have been shifts in government systems, such as transitioning from a presidential to a parliamentary system, in response to political pressures and allegations.
• 🗣️ The practice of democracy in Indonesia has been marked by political articulation of extremism, including liberalism, radicalism, fundamentalism, sectarianism, and terrorism.
• 📉 The parliamentary democracy of the 1950s is often viewed as a failure due to the inability of the government to implement development and the frequent changes in cabinet.
• 🚫 The era of guided democracy under Soekarno was characterized by the concentration of power and the suppression of political freedoms.
• 🛑 The New Order under Suharto introduced the concept of Pancasila democracy, which was used to justify policies that were seen as anti-democratic by many.
• 🔄 The fall of the New Order in 1998 led to a period of political and governmental reform, including amendments to the 1945 Constitution to ensure a balance of power.
• 📈 The reformasi era has seen efforts to rebuild democratic life, with the media being freed, and power becoming more dispersed through elected legislative bodies.
• 🌐 Despite improvements, Indonesia's democracy still has a long way to go to fully embrace the substantive aspects of democracy, with ongoing issues such as procedural focus and the influence of money in politics.

Q & A

What does the term 'kebablasan' refer to in the context of Indonesian democracy?

In the context of Indonesian democracy, 'kebablasan' refers to the excessiveness or overindulgence in democracy, where political practices have led to the articulation of extreme ideologies such as liberalism, radicalism, fundamentalism, sectarianism, and terrorism.

Why did Indonesia's founding fathers choose democracy as the system of government after independence?

Indonesia's founding fathers chose democracy as the system of government after independence because it was seen as an alternative to the feudal and authoritarian systems that were in place during the colonial era. They were influenced by external ideas and the lack of a feudal government in Indonesia, which made democracy an appealing choice.

What changes were made to Indonesia's political system after the proclamation of independence on November 14, 1945?

After the proclamation of independence, Indonesia transitioned from a presidential system to a parliamentary system to avoid the perception of being an absolute state. This change was part of the government's efforts to establish a democratic system that contrasted with the previous colonial rule.

How was the parliamentary system perceived during its implementation in Indonesia from the 1950s to the late 1950s?

The parliamentary system was seen as having a high degree of political accountability, with the 1955 elections being considered the most democratic. However, it was also criticized for the frequent changes in government, which were seen as a sign of instability and a lack of preparedness among political parties and leaders.

What significant action did President Soekarno take in 1959 that affected the practice of democracy in Indonesia?

In 1959, President Soekarno issued a decree on July 5th that dissolved the Constituent Assembly, reinstated the 1945 Constitution, and established the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS) and the Provisional House of Representatives (DPR). This marked a shift away from the parliamentary system and towards a more guided democracy under his leadership.

What is 'demokrasi Pancasila' as introduced during President Soeharto's era?

Demokrasi Pancasila, introduced during President Soeharto's era, was a form of guided democracy that emphasized the principles of the Pancasila, Indonesia's state philosophy. It was presented as a more stable and controlled form of democracy compared to the liberal democracy of the previous era, but was also criticized as being used to legitimize authoritarian policies.

How did the New Order regime under President Soeharto differ from the previous democratic practices?

The New Order regime under President Soeharto was characterized by a more controlled and guided form of democracy, with a concentration of power in the executive branch. It was marked by a lack of executive rotation, limited political recruitment processes, and an environment where political parties could not compete fairly, leading to a distortion of democratic principles.

What were the key reforms that took place after the fall of the New Order regime in Indonesia?

After the fall of the New Order regime, key reforms included the amendment of the 1945 Constitution to ensure a balance of power among the judiciary, executive, and legislative branches. There was also an effort to decentralize power, increase political participation through direct elections at various levels, and reduce corruption and collusion.

What are some criticisms of the current state of democracy in Indonesia as mentioned in the script?

Some criticisms of the current state of democracy in Indonesia include the focus on procedural aspects rather than substantive democracy, the influence of money in politics, and the potential for rule changes to benefit specific interests, which can undermine democratic principles.

How has the understanding and practice of democracy evolved in Indonesia since its independence?

The understanding and practice of democracy in Indonesia have evolved from the initial choice of democracy as an antithesis to colonial rule, through various experiments with parliamentary and guided democracy, to the current efforts to establish a more balanced and decentralized democratic system with the reforms post-New Order era.