Civil Society: Pembangun dan Sekaligus Perusak Demokrasi
Abstract: Disillusions with
the limits of parliamentary politics and the increasingly dilapidated processes
of party politics have generated a renewed interest on civil society as a means
of rejuvenating public life. In light of mounting animosity against the "high
politics" of political parties, parliament, and constitution, civil
society is perceived as the diagnosis as well as cure for current ills in
politics. This led to glorification of civil society as an alternative to
conventional practice of politics. However, experience from new democracies
suggests that civil society has been increasingly tampered with cranks,
extremists, rejectionists, and crooks. This paper attempts to present two faces
of civil society: civil and uncivil; and tries to relate them to democratization.
Drawing on Indonesian experience, it argues that civil society can be both
supportive and destructive to democracy.
Penulis: Bob Sugeng Hadiwinata
Kode Jurnal: jpsosiologidd050007
