What the study found
The study finds that Indonesia’s Jokowi era featured “adaptive dynastic politics,” a form of political dynasty that used several coordinated mechanisms to consolidate power while democratic indicators declined.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say these findings matter because they show a way political dynasties can manipulate institutions while keeping electoral legitimacy, and they conclude this helps explain institutional manipulation in developing democracies.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used content analysis of 847 media articles and elite interviews, along with process tracing, to examine Indonesia from 2014 to 2024. They focused on how dynastic mechanisms operated across institutions, digital coordination, and coalition management.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract reports that constitutional engineering helped enable family succession despite age requirements, coordinated pressure achieved 81% parliamentary control, and digital operations used 90 billion rupiah in government resources. It also says civil society, independent media, and judicial factions pushed back, but their resistance was largely unsuccessful.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes democratic decline from 57/100 to 56/100 on Freedom House during the study period, but it does not provide more detailed limitations in the available summary. Its claims are limited to the Indonesia case and the period examined.
Key points
- The study identifies “adaptive dynastic politics” in Indonesia during the Jokowi era.
- Democratic scores reportedly declined from 57/100 to 56/100 on Freedom House.
- The analysis used 847 media articles, elite interviews, and process tracing.
- Constitutional engineering, parliamentary pressure, and digital coordination are described as key mechanisms.
- Resistance from civil society, independent media, and judicial factions is described as largely unsuccessful.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Indonesia’s dynastic politics coincided with democratic decline
- Authors:
- Bambang Widiyahseno, Yusuf Adam Hilman, Samodra Wibawa
- Institutions:
- Muhammadiyah University of Ponorogo, Universitas Gadjah Mada
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-07
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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