By Thomas Yulianto

Having held the first two discussions, Stube HEMAT continued to learn more on democracy in the 3rd discussion on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Wisma Pojok Indah, Condongcatur, Yogyakarta with a theme "Analyzing the Practices and Strategies of Democracy in Indonesia". The resource persons invited in this third discussion were Dr. Budiawan, a lecturer at Graduate School of Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta and George B.L Panggabean as a practitioner and former politician.

The event started at 09:30 WIB led by Daniel Prasdika and Kresensia Risna Efrieno as master of ceremony. At the beginning of this discussion, Putri Laoli as the moderator asked a question, "What do you know about democracy?" According to Ari Gunawan as a participant, he expressed his opinion, "Democracy comes from the words ‘Demos’ and ‘Kratos' which mean the highest power is in the hands of the people, and  everything returns to the people themselves."

Dr. Budiawan explained material about the history of democracy starting from the independence of the Republic of Indonesia (1945-1949), the Republic of the United States of Indonesia (1949-1950), the RIS Constitution into the provisional constitution (1950-1959), Guided Democracy (1959-1966), the New Order Era (1966) -1998), and the Reformation Era (1998-present). At the end of the presentation, Dr. Budiawan concluded that the year 1998 up to now there is a euphoria of democracy, freedom in a democracy is glorified, and even tends to be 'going too far.' George B.L Panggabean explained several materials which is related to the experiences he had in the past, “Democracy cannot be separated from a developing culture, the cultures possibly ‘color’ the growth of democracy. The characteristics of democracy are people, deliberation, and human rights."

Based on the material presented by these two resource persons, it sparked Ari Surida's curiosity about the material presented by Dr. Budiawan about the meaning of ‘the democracy is going too far.' Dr. Budiawan clarified his statement that democracy is called excessive because there are parameters that are used, such as the legislation. So if it is not fit the regulations, it is called excessive. According to George B.L Panggabean, the current democracy has shifted from its paths, such as the loss of regeneration or the stages to bear organizational leader, instead, everyone who has the capital (money, influence, popularity) can quickly occupy political positions without stepping through the process and instantly become a leader or legislative member. So that each leader gives their own assumption on democracy and this condition is neglected by the power groups in society.

The theories and realities that occur must be different, the democracy itself has a good purpose, but the inability of the actors to run democracy properly changes its essence. Every democratic leader should fight for prosperity and if the democratic leader is unable to make it, it is called the failed leader. If democracy does not fight for prosperity it is not a real democracy. That is why democracy needed to fight for.***