header

Articles

Vol. 1 No. 8 (2026): SEPTEMBER : MUJAHADAH JURNAL ILMU MULTIDISIPLIN

Local Wisdom and Electoral Democracy: Exploring the Role of Malay Jambi Cultural Values in Strengthening Political Participation in Tebo Regency

Submitted
September 2, 2026
Published
2026-09-01

Abstract

This study examines the role of Jambi Malay local wisdom in strengthening political participation within the implementation of electoral democracy in Tebo Regency, Jambi Province, Indonesia. Amid concerns over declining civic engagement and the increasing influence of pragmatic political practices, local cultural values provide an important social foundation for fostering democratic participation that is ethical, inclusive, and community-oriented. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study draws on interviews, observations, and document analysis involving community leaders, traditional leaders, election organizers, and local residents. The findings reveal that core Jambi Malay cultural values, including musyawarah (deliberation), gotong royong (mutual cooperation), respect for customary leadership, social harmony, and collective responsibility, continue to influence political behavior and encourage community involvement in electoral processes. These values contribute to strengthening political awareness, increasing voter participation, promoting peaceful elections, and enhancing public trust in democratic institutions. However, the study also identifies several challenges, such as political clientelism, generational shifts in cultural understanding, and the declining influence of traditional institutions in the digital era. The research argues that integrating local wisdom into civic and political education, electoral governance, and public policy can reinforce democratic resilience while preserving cultural identity. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on the relationship between indigenous cultural values and democratic governance, demonstrating that local wisdom remains a relevant resource for promoting meaningful political participation at the local level.

References

  1. Aristawidya, Abel Eka, and Rahmat Santoso Agus. “Consolidating Democracy: Political Communication and Public Trust in Early Leadership Post-Election in Indonesia” 6, no. 6 (2025): 6. https://www.city.kawasaki.jp/500/page/0000174493.html.
  2. Aspinall, Edward, and Ward Berenschot. Democracy for Sale: Elections, Clientelism, and the State in Indonesia. Democracy for Sale, 2019. https://doi.org/10.7591/9781501732997.
  3. Brinkerhoff, Derick, and Arthur Goldsmith. “Clientelism, Patrimonialism and Democratic Governance: An Overview and Framework for Assessment and Programming,” January 1, 2002.
  4. Budiana, Muhammad. “POLITICAL CULTURE AND SOCIETY’S POLITICAL ORIENTATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).” Jurnal Multidisiplin Sahombu 3, no. 01 (2023): 108–15. https://ejournal.seaninstitute.or.id/index.php/JMS.
  5. Chen, Hung-Chieh, Tzu-Chao Lin, and Ying-Hui Chen. “The Impact of Social Capital and Community Empowerment on Regional Revitalization Practices: A Case Study on the Practice of University Social Responsibility Programs in Wanli and Jinshan Districts.” Sustainability, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104653.
  6. Corstange, Daniel. “Clientelism in Competitive and Uncompetitive Elections.” Comparative Political Studies 51 (March 9, 2017): 76–104. https://doi.org/10.1177/0010414017695332.
  7. Davidson, Jamie. “Dilemmas of Democratic Consolidation in Indonesia.” The Pacific Review 22 (August 5, 2009): 293–310. https://doi.org/10.1080/09512740903068354.
  8. Hatak, Isabella, Richard Lang, and Dietmar Roessl. “Trust, Social Capital, and the Coordination of Relationships Between the Members of Cooperatives: A Comparison Between Member-Focused Cooperatives and Third-Party-Focused Cooperatives.” Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations 27 (January 1, 2026): 1218–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-015-9663-2.
  9. Höglund, Kristine. “Electoral Violence in Conflict-Ridden Societies: Concepts, Causes, and Consequences.” Terrorism and Political Violence - TERROR POLIT VIOLENCE 21 (June 29, 2009): 412–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546550902950290.
  10. Huda, Mi’rojul, Mubarok Muharam, Mochamad Affandi, Agus Adi, Silkania Swarizona, and Eko Hermawan. “Indonesia’s Struggle For Democratic Resilience: Issues and Institutional Reforms.” International Journal of Law and Society 2 (February 1, 2025): 145–53. https://doi.org/10.62951/ijls.v2i2.379.
  11. Jamin, Mohammad. “SOCIAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION THROUGH EMPOWERMENT OF LOCAL WISDOMS.” Yustisia Jurnal Hukum 9 (May 6, 2020): 1. https://doi.org/10.20961/yustisia.v9i1.39430.
  12. Kuokkanen, Rauna, and Sarah Maddison. “Reclaiming Democracy through Indigenous Self-Determination: What Does a ‘Functioning Country’ Mean?” Settler Colonial Studies 15, no. 3 (July 3, 2025): 603–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/2201473X.2025.2495459.
  13. Lensru, Antonita Asriani. “The Cultural Influence of the Noken System on Political Participation in Papua.” Tamalanrea: Journal of Government and Development (JGD) 2, no. 1 (2025): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.69816/jgd.v2i1.43564.
  14. Moonti, Roy, Rustam Akili, Yusrianto Kadir, Marten Bunga, and Amro Halfaoui. “Living Constitution in Islamic Constitutional Law: A Comparative Study of Gorontalo Customary Constitutional Law in Majority and Minority Enclave Contexts.” Jurnal Ilmiah Al-Syir’ah 23 (December 30, 2025): 339. https://doi.org/10.30984/jis.v23i2.3566.
  15. Perreault, Kadija. “Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches.” Manual Therapy 16, no. 1 (2011): 103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2010.09.003.
  16. “Political Process : Public Opinion, Attitudes, Parties, Forces, Groups and Elections / Vie Politique : Opinion Publique, Attitudes, Partis, Forces, Groupes et Élections.” International Political Science Abstracts 76, no. 3 (June 1, 2026): 520–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208345261458466.
  17. Rathakrishnan, Banupriya, Kartini Khalid, and Sity Daud. “A Systematic Literature Review on the International Trends of Indigenous Peoples’ Political Participation.” Frontiers in Political Science 7 (August 1, 2025). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2025.1601300.
  18. Sa’di, Ahmad H. “Democracy as a Utopia and Democracy as a Tool of Domination: The Structural Roles of Race, Class, and Coloniality in Western Democratic Regimes.” Politikon 52, no. 1 (January 2, 2025): 81–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/02589346.2025.2487323.
  19. Sjoraida, Diah Fatma, Iriana Bakti, Aat Ruchiat Nugraha, and Priyo Subekti. “Negotiating Democracy Through Symbols and Social Media: A Thematic Analysis of Political Communication in West Java’s Indigenous Communities.” Sage Open 15, no. 4 (October 1, 2025): 21582440251405176. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251405174.
  20. Sugiyono. “Metode Penelitian Kualitatif Bandung. Metode Penelitian Kualitatif.” Yogyakarta Press 2, no. 6 (2020): 919–30.
  21. Sulanjari, Amalia. “The Role of Political Culture in Forming Civic Engagement.” International Journal Of Humanities Education and Social Sciences (IJHESS) 5, no. 2 (2025): 776–84. https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v5i2.1846.
  22. Tohari, Amin, Ainil Wahyudi, and Uin Sunan Ampel Surabaya. “Revitalizing Local Village Wisdom as a Mechanism for Social Conflict Resolution amid Economic Change Pressures and Urban Cultural Penetration.” The Journal of Academic Science 3, no. 1 (2026): 9–18. https://thejoas.com/index.php/thejoas/article/view/532.
  23. Umasugi, Achdjam Syahfan, Marthinus J Saptenno, Jantje Tjiptabudy, and Saartje S Alfons. “Identity Politics in the System of Regional Head Elections in a Democratic Rule of Law State.” Lex Localis - Journal of Local Self-Government 23, no. 11 (2025): 1157–81. https://lex-localis.org/index.php/LexLocalis/article/view/802145.
  24. Warni, Warni, and Rengki Afria. “The Content of Local Wisdom in Traditional Expressions: Revealing the Characteristics of Jambi Malay Community.” Sosial Budaya 20, no. 2 (2023): 159. https://doi.org/10.24014/sb.v20i2.19356.
  25. ———. “The Content of Local Wisdom in Traditional Expressions: Revealing the Characteristics of Jambi Malay Community.” Sosial Budaya 20 (December 31, 2023): 159. https://doi.org/10.24014/sb.v20i2.19356.
  26. Wicaksono, Kristian Widya, and Komang Monday Sari. “Redefining Citizenship in Democratic States: Toward a Public-Centered Governance Paradigm in Indonesia.” Kebijakan : Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi 17, no. 01 (2026): 109–19. https://doi.org/10.23969/kebijakan.v17i01.39945.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.