Between Disappointment and Hope

By Testriono    

Source: Tempo No. 38/IX/19-25 May 2009

Democracy and Disappointment
Author: Goenawan Mohamad, et al.
Editors: Ihsan Ali-Fauzi and Samsu Rizal Panggabean
Publisher: Center for the Study on Religion and Democracy (PUSAD), Paramadina Foundation (2009)
Pages: xvi + 100 pages

WHEN politics degrades to a mere routine competition used to acquire power by various means, then democracy becomes a untoward and undeniable fate. The caprices of corrupt House members, politicians loyal only to their positions, and political parties overzealous for their own interests have shattered the hope for democracy.

Democracy and how disappointment with it is formulated is the issue raised in the book Democracy and Disappointment. The cover emphasizes this disappointment through satire, portraying the various styles of campaign posters used by some legislative candidates, ranging from likenesses of anything from Superman to rock musicians. Is this what democracy has come to?

Democracy and Disappointment begins with an academic speech from cultural expert Goenawan Mohamad, delivered at the Nurcholish Madjid Memorial Lecture (NMML) event held at Paramadina University, Jakarta, on 23 October 2008. Some intellectuals then respond to this oration: R. William Liddle, Rocky Gerung, Samsu Rizal Panggabean, Dodi Ambardi, Robertus Robet, and Ihsan Ali-Fauzi.

In a speech entitled “Democracy and Disillusionment”, Goenawan seems to be proclaiming the disappointment of the multitude regarding democracy which: (1) cannot possibly everyone’s aspirations because it is based on consensus, and (2) which does not provide for any new alternatives. Then what is left to do?

Goenawan said to always loyally return politics to being a struggle (la politique, Robet translates it as “the political”), which arises in major events, such as in Reformasi), whether done through legislation and political parties, or precisely by fighting against them. Meanwhile, Rocky recommended continuously radicalizing democracy so that tolerance, justice, and civil liberties can be fulfilled.

Goenawan pointed out that the cause of democracy’s impotence is to be found in the “bell curve”: that most of the people are not fond of radical and extreme change. At this point, it was as if he was sounding the criticism of the left about democracy’s inherent flaw: its inability to produce radical change.

Thankfully, not all of the writers in this book are disappointed with democracy. Liddle, the most influential expert on Indonesia at this time, called for patience through the words of Weber: “Politics means slow, steady drilling through hard planks.” He cites as example the lengthy experience of the United States with democracy, when finally Obama, an African-American, could be elected president. Liddle believes that the Indonesian people can learn from American history, by making the most of the political players in the system: the central government, political parties, members of the legislature, and most importantly the regional governments.

Candid optimism was shown by Rizal Panggabean, by pointing out Indonesia?s emergence as the greatest champion of democracy in Southeast Asia. This is indicated by: overcoming religious and ethnic violence which appeared after the fall of the New Order, as well as the fulfillment of political rights and civil liberties. Even though it must be admitted that there are still some threats, such as religious fundamentalism, extremism, and separatism. Rizal cajoles us to celebrate democracy while accepting its shortcomings.

Ihsan, upon seeing the experience of the appearance of libertarian-left parties (“movement parties”) in Europe, reached the somewhat provocative conclusion about the need to form a “movement party” as an alternative to old parties as well as to break through democracy’s deadlock.

The pages of this book are filled with an intellectual debate in the field of politics, one which has rarely been heard during the past 10 years. Unfortunately, the articles brought together here only provide partial satisfaction. We hope that this debate will be made available with deeper and more elaborate argumentation.

This book could serve as a stepping stone to further debate. For sure, it reminds us to keep up our efforts on the substance of democracy, not just with its procedures.***

Testriono, Researcher at the Center for Islamic & Society Studies.