Money Politics Research Articles

Agents of Change? Women Candidates and Support for Campaign Finance Reform

ABSTRACT Most Americans believe there is too much money in politics and are sympathetic to reform. Using nationally representative survey data, we study how the public views the likelihood that members of Congress (MCs) will support reforms to reduce the influence of the wealthy. The public’s beliefs about reform may have implications for candidates’ fundraising strategies. Because women are underrepresented in politics and may face campaign finance barriers, the reform debate may have unique implications for them: to the extent that women are associated with reform, they may face a dilemma with regard to what fundraising strategies they can employ. We propose that individuals will draw on gender, party, and race/ethnicity in their expectations about which MCs are most reform-minded.

Legal Challenges and Enforcement Strategies: Bawaslu's Role in Addressing Election Violations in Indonesia's 2024 Simultaneous Elections

Elections are a very important momentum for the community. This is because the community has the opportunity to determine the future leaders of the Indonesian nation in the next five years. Therefore, in making the election a success is not only the responsibility of Bawaslu as a supervisory institution, but also the obligation of all Indonesian people. The implementation of the 2024 election has many challenges in making the election a success, so it is necessary to have a role for Bawaslu in enforcing the law. The purpose of this study is to describe the challenges carried out by Bawaslu in enforcing violations of the law in Indonesia. The method of this research is qualitative descriptive. The results of this study show that there are four challenges for Bawaslu in the 2024 elections, including identity politics, money politics, neutralization of ASN, TNI, and Polri in election campaigns, and the spread of hoax news. In this case, it shows that Bawaslu plays an important role in law enforcement of simultaneous election violations in 2024. With the role played by Bawaslu in law enforcement, it can create a democratic and just country for the community.

Penyuluhan Hukum Tentang Politik Uang Bagi Siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas Sebagai Upaya Mewujudkan Pemilih Cerdas

This service activity aims to increase legal knowledge about money politics for high school students as an effort to create intelligent voters. This activity was carried out at SMA Negeri 2 South Konawe and Madrasah Aliyah DDI Nurul Qalbi Ranomeeto. The method of implementing this community service used interactive counseling with evaluation instruments, namely pre-test and post-test. Furthermore, the data analysis technique for this community service was analyzed descriptively. The results of this community service showed that there was an increase in students' understanding of the criminal law aspect of money politics practices. Through insight into criminal regulations on money politics practices, it could guide students in acting in society in accordance with legal provisions so that it has implications for the realization of smart voters.

Peningkatan Pelaksanaan Fungsi Badan Pengawas Pemilu (Bawaslu) dalam Mengatasi Pelanggaran Pemilu Legislatif Tahun 2024 di Kota Kupang

The process of holding elections must implement the principles of the election itself, namely: Honest, Fair, Direct, Public, Free, Secret, and Transparent. However, the implementation of general elections in Indonesia is inseparable from all forms of election violations and election disputes. One of the institutions responsible for supervising general elections in Indonesia is the General Election Supervisory Agency (BAWASLU). This type of research is empirical juridical legal research using the type of legal sociology study (Socio-legal research) which emphasizes the importance of interview steps and literature studies and qualitative descriptive analysis, namely by explaining, elucidating, and describing problems and close solutions. The results of this study show that: (1) The main functions of Bawaslu include monitoring, studying, and supervising the election process and preventing election violations. Therefore, monitoring, studying, preventing and supervising every stage of the general election in Kupang City properly and the implementation of Bawaslu's functions involves monitoring, investigating, and enforcing rules during the election process. (2) Efforts made by Bawaslu include maintaining the integrity of the election by ensuring that all processes run according to the rules, preventing and handling violations such as money politics and black campaigns. The efforts made by the Kupang City Bawaslu in overcoming Election Violations in Kupang City can be considered successful.

Penegakan Hukum terhadap Tindak Pidana Politik Uang oleh Calon Anggota Legislatif pada Pemilihan Umum 2024 di Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur

This study aims to find out and analyze law enforcement against money politics crimes by legislative candidates in the 2024 general election in East Nusa Tenggara Province. This research is a normative judicial legal research sourced from primary legal materials and secondary legal materials with a case approach and a legislative approach. Data collection in this study uses interviews and documentation Furthermore, the legal materials that have been collected are described in a qualitative descriptive manner in order to obtain a picture that can be understood clearly and directed to answer the problem. The results of the study show that (1) Money politics actors have not been fully held criminally accountable for what they have done. Law enforcers must provide criminal penalties to perpetrators who have fulfilled the elements of criminal responsibility fairly so that they can have a deterrent effect so that it is hoped that in the future money politics cases will be minimized. (2) The role of the Integrated Law Enforcement Center (Gakkumdu) in handling cases of violations of the 2024 simultaneous elections in East Nusa Tenggara Province is to resolve violations of election crimes.

The Politics of Poverty and Economic Development in Nigeria

This study on the Politics of Poverty and Economic Development in Nigeria examined the intricate relationship between money politics and economic development in Nigeria. The economic development variable used in the study was proxied by Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) and the politics of poverty variable was proxied by the poverty rate in Nigeria while other variables used in this study were government spending and population growth. The data used for this study was obtained from the World Development Indicator and CBN Statistical Bulletin (2022). Also, the period under review was from 1980 to 2022. The study adopted secondary and annual data for the empirical analysis using the autoregressive distributed lagged model for investigating the relationships among the variables. The findings revealed a negative relationship between poverty and economic development in Nigeria. Also, government spending has a negative and statistically significant impact on poverty in Nigeria. The study therefore proposed actionable recommendations such as strengthening political institutions, enforcing anti-corruption measures, and ensuring that economic policies are designed and implemented with a focus on poverty reduction and inclusive growth. These measures are essential for fostering transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in Nigeria's political and economic spheres.

THE PHENOMENON OF FAJR ATTACKS IN THE ELECTIONS

This research focuses on the phenomenon of fajr raids in elections analyzed using Hasbi Ash-Shidieqy’s interpretation of Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2]: 188. As a country with a democratic political system, Indonesia holds a democratic party called elections every 5 years to elect representatives of the people. The People’s democratic party, which is expected to give birth to honest leaders who are free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism, instead brings new corrupt seeds. This is based on the election system that has been corrupted by money politics. All means are used by prospective leaders to smooth their way to winning the election. Candidates distribute money to the public to buy people’s votes covered with the word alms. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between the phenomenon of fajr raids that often occur before elections with Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2]: 188. The method used in this research is descriptive-qualitative by using literature review. The results of this study indicate that the narrative of the Qur’anic text in Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2]: 188 indicates the prohibition of taking and controlling other people’s property in a way that is not justified by shara, including the practice of fajr attacks in elections because it is classified as rashwah. The gift is not based on sincerity because they expect the public to vote for the one who gave the fajr attack.

Batu city bawaslu strategy in preventing political money in the 2024 election

The aim of this research is to broaden understanding in political education and expand knowledge in Pancasila and citizenship education. Because Indonesia is a country that adheres to a democratic system which is carried out through elections and regional elections, the main aim of the research is how to find out problems in elections, namely money politics which is used as a tool in winning contestations. And what is the role and response of the community to money politics, as well as to find out regulatory weaknesses that cause weak election law enforcement. The method used in this research uses descriptive qualitative and legal and regulatory instruments to strengthen credible data, and obtains data through interviews with Batu City Bawaslu commissioners. The results prove that society is very indifferent to electoral developments and problems, as well as the weakness of applicable laws and regulations. Bawaslu increases participatory supervision to maintain the quality of democracy

Fenomena Relawan Demokrasi pada Pesta Politik di Kabupaten Pasaman Barat

This research aims to explore the phenomenon of democracy volunteers in Pasaman Barat Regency. The phenomenon of democracy volunteers in the 2024 elections in Pasaman Barat Regency shows an increase in political participation among the community. However, there are challenges associated with potential clientelism practices and limited volunteer resources that can affect the integrity of elections. The purpose of this research is to analyze the role and impact of democracy volunteers in the 2024 elections in Pasaman Barat, as well as to understand the challenges they face and how they influence the electoral process. This research employs a phenomenological type of study with a qualitative approach, focusing on political volunteers in Pasaman Barat Regency. The results of the democracy volunteers in Pasaman Barat Regency play an important role in expanding the voter base and increasing political participation. They also face challenges such as limited resources and the influence of political money. Volunteers tend to come from the general public with personal interests and often serve as a shortcut for political elites. Although it has a positive impact on participation and transparency, the presence of volunteers also reveals the potential for transactional political practices. The working mechanism of volunteers, including socialization and direct support to the community, demonstrates their efforts in enhancing political literacy and supporting candidates, despite the risks of a shift towards mass leadership.

Money Politics in a Democratic Political System: A Case study of South Korea and European Countries

The issue of money politics in Indonesia has severely undermined democratic integrity, affecting equality in political participation, increasing the risk of corruption, creating disparities in political access, influencing public policy-making, and damaging public perceptions of the political system’s credibility. This study aimed to explore how other countries address the challenges of money politics and offered concrete solutions to strengthen democratic integrity. Using a comparative approach, the study examined money politics policies and practices, as well as assessed the effectiveness of anti-corruption and transparency measures in South Korea and Europe. The findings revealed that strict regulations on campaign financing and oversight by independent bodies have effectively mitigated money politics practices in these countries. Consequently, Indonesia is encouraged to adopt a similar approach by establishing an independent oversight body and fostering active public participation to address the challenges of money politics and high political costs, promote equitable political participation, and strengthen democratic integrity.

Money in Politics: How Does It Affect Election Outcomes?

Money in Politics: How Does It Affect Election Outcomes?

The Role of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) in Preventing and Suppressing the Practice of Money Politics

This study aimed to analyze the constrained role of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) in suppressing the practice of money politics which contributes to high-cost elections during general elections. ASN’s political activities are heavily restricted, limiting its ability to actively and directly engage in the electoral process. However, statutory provisions also mandate that ASN serve as both the implementer of public policy—an inherently political product—and as a unifying force for the nation. In its role as a unifier, ASN must actively contribute to ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and appropriately for the future of the nation. The object of this study was to examine the limited authority and role of ASN in suppressing the practice of money politics. The study employed a qualitative descriptive analysis to explore the issue from the ASN’s perspective, focusing on the potential contributions of its authority and role in enhancing the quality of elections. The findings indicated that ASN can leverage its authority and role both individually and institutionally to suppress money politics practices. Individually, ASN members can contribute through socialization, advocacy, political education, information dissemination, and anti-money politics campaigns. Institutionally, contributions can be made by strengthening regulatory and policy frameworks, enhancing the integrity and capabilities of ASN personnel, conducting studies, analyses, and discussions to improve electoral process quality, and enforcing strict sanctions against perpetrators of money politics.

Reforms of Political Finance: Strengthening Democracy by Reducing the Impact of High-Cost Politics

This study has two objectives: First, to examine high-cost politics in Indonesian elections; Second, to propose measures to strengthen the Ministry of Home Affairs’ authority in political finance supervision and enhance regulations to promote electoral transparency, using the recent Indonesian elections as a case study. Indonesia’s political process is characterized by high-cost politics, where candidates often face pressure to raise substantial funds to finance their election campaigns. Consequently, elections, meant to serve as a democratic platform for all Indonesians, frequently become subject to abuse by individuals seeking to attain power. The primary goal of this study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the high-cost politics in Indonesian elections and its impacts on democratic integrity. The study utilized a normative juridical methodology, incorporating statutory and conceptual approaches. The findings indicated that transactional and money politics, along with high-cost politics in Indonesia’s elections, pose a serious threat to democracy. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the General Election Supervisory Agency must strengthen their legal instruments to monitor political party finances. Furthermore, political actors must be encouraged to reduce high-cost politics.

Do ethnic politics matter? Reassessing the role of ethnicity in local elections in Indonesia

ABSTRACT While recent scholarship has investigated the role of money politics in Indonesia, much less has been said about the part played by sentiments of identity. We argue here that ethnicity and religion remain crucial to an understanding of the processes of local politics and electioneering. We have coined the term ethnicity and religion based organization (ERBO) and used it as a basis for an examination of ethnicity and religion based identity politics in Lampung, the southernmost province of Sumatra. Ethnic identity dovetails largely with religious identity and is a dominant force in the local politics of Lampung, a province that, while multi-ethnic, has a population consisting overwhelmingly of migrants who relocated from the island of Java primarily as a result of the transmigration programme. ERBOs are the vehicle used by local leaders to channel ethnic sentiment and translate it into votes; they are often instrumental in selecting and campaigning for candidates, ensuring voter turnout and arranging rewards. Reflecting ethnic sensitivities, however, some ERBOs refrain from entering the political domain and direct their energies to social and cultural spheres. In presenting this evidence, we seek to qualify recent claims that ethnicity no longer plays an important part in Indonesian politics.

Democratic deficit and underdevelopment in Nigeria: a qualitative study of the 2023 Presidential Elections

Discontentment with democracy in West Africa centres on abuse of power and political corruption. In Nigeria, dissatisfaction lies not just with these but also with insecurity, economic recession and the electoral process – a system fraught with complications, controversies and contradictions. Using the political economy of elections as its theoretical framework together with mixed research methods, this paper interrogates the relationship between Nigeria’s democratic culture and the 2023 presidential elections. Here I present a politicised electoral management institution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Its performance is shaped, not by legislative instruments and constitutional guidelines, but by a dysfunctional democratic culture that reflects the extent to which ethnicised politics, class, institutionalised loyalty and money politics determine election results and Nigeria’s version of democracy. Although fragile and prebendal, democracy continues to consolidate amidst delayed development. The paper recommends increased media advocacy for reform.

Public Perception of Money Politics Acceptance (Case Study in Bandung Regency and West Bandung Regency)

If money politics tends to be seen as a threat to electoral democracy, what is the public's actual perception of money politics? This research uses quantitative methods, especially descriptive statistics to explain perceptions of the acceptability of money politics in elections. The case study for this research is the Bandung Regency and West Bandung Regency (KBB) areas. This locus shows the existence of spatial influences that explain geopolitical differences in the Greater Bandung area, especially in the district area. The researchers used Stratified-Systematic Random Sampling with 800 samples in Bandung Regency and West Bandung Regency. The margin of error in this study is ± 4% with a confidence level of 95%. It was found that people tend to consider the money politics that occur in elections as normal. However, some variations are variations that reflect differences in views. Apart from that, respondents who will accept money politics tend to choose according to their own conscience. However, the value of giving money or goods can also influence a person's political choice tendencies.

The Bank of England and conservative sound money politics: economic ideas in a contested political sphere

The Bank of England and conservative sound money politics: economic ideas in a contested political sphere

Phenomenon of the “dawn attacks operation” as a money politics practices in Indonesian election

The practice of handing out money before voting or dawn raids is still the choice of some legislative candidates to gain votes from citizens. Dawn attacks as a practice of money politics are an act of malpractice that can damage the democratic essence of holding general elections, because dawn attacks use money as a reciprocal tool to buy votes. This research uses qualitative methods, data is obtained from various literature, such as media, books, journals and reports related to the phenomenon of dawn attacks in the implementation of post-reform elections. The data obtained was then validated using source triangulation techniques. This research sees that several political actors who are running in the election are still carrying out dawn attacks as a political step to gain victory, however dawn attacks which are a form of money politics endanger democratic values in Indonesia, because they involve vote buying. With the dawn attacks activity, voters followed the political games of elites who only cared about getting votes without put on their capacity and capability. Once the elite who use dawn attacks are elected, then they are will be not paying attention to the public interest, corruption will continue to occur and the policies made will not be in favor of the public interest.

Awareness and Political Participation of UIN Raden Fatah Palembang Students Regarding Money Politics in General Elections

Awareness and Political Participation of UIN Raden Fatah Palembang Students Regarding Money Politics in General Elections

PENERAPAN PRINSIP DEMOKRASI DALAM SISTEM PEMILIHAN UMUM DI INDONESIA PERSPEKTIF FIQH SIYASAH

Since the reform era began in 1998 in Indonesia, political transformation has been significant. This period not only marked the end of the authoritarian government under President Soeharto, but also paved the way for changes in the political and constitutional system in Indonesia. This change not only changes the way of life of the people, but also changes the constitutional system of the Indonesian nation through amendments to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. Article 1 paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution reads, "Sovereignty is in the hands of the people and is implemented according to the Constitution. In the Indonesian state administration there are also Islamic constitutional values, this can be seen by the concept of deliberation, equality and justice which is running as it should. This research aims to review the application of democratic principles in general elections and how Islamic state administration is reviewed (fiqh siyasah ) in the implementation of general elections in Indonesia. Through a normative juridical approach, this research analyzes the regulations governing the democracy and election system in Indonesia, including the 1945 Constitution and the Election Law. Research highlights the importance of implementing democratic principles such as popular sovereignty, equal rights, free and secret elections, and accountability and transparency in the electoral process. However, challenges such as money politics, identity politics and the spread of false information are still problems in the implementation of elections. This research suggests steps to improve the electoral system to ensure that democracy can function effectively and produce results that are more representative of the will of the people and that it is in accordance with Islamic constitutional principles (fiqh siyasah)