Conservatism and Regional Elections
Propaganda is a powerful weapon in any political election. It will be more powerful if the propaganda is based on conservative dictums. Initially, conservative propaganda was frequently underestimated. Engaging in politics by selling an identity is antiquarian in today\'s pluralistic period. When we talked about citizens of the world, racism was no longer something that was politically promising. However, alas, the seizure of power rests on strong identity politics. Trump\'s triumph is like a bell that awakens conservative groups across the planet, especially religious groups.
Politicization of fears
Conservatism was originally a piece of political philosophy. In the middle of the rushing roar of social change, tradition needs to get a philosophical defense. Rapid changes tend to be uncontrollable and break segments of tradition. Here, an initial conservative philosopher named Edmund Burke said tradition, families and religious institutions should not be torn down in the name of social revolution. Changes, if any, should be allowed to proceed organically, not through social engineering.
The philosophical proposal gradually becomes a practical politics. It is no longer a philosophical abstraction, but rather an ideology that is operational. Various political groups are emerging with "conservative" trademarks. They sell the romanticism of tradition, family and religion. When the liberal groups propagate freedom, conservatives emphasize kinship. This kinship is unfortunately often interpreted strictly and in a sectarian manner. In the end is the supremacy of race and even religion.
The conservatism also meets with religion. Thought meets with belief. The combination of the two leads to relatively formidable political power. Because, basically, the slices of the two are fairly thick. Both rely on identity politics. They equally glorify tradition. They reject the various social novelties that are considered excessive and threaten the establishment. They equally share a romance for the past. History moves downward. The two assume that we need to return to past glory to heal the misguided present condition.
Religious conservatism then becomes a new commodity in practical politics. However, do not think this is happening only in developing countries with a relatively large uneducated population. Developed countries do not escape from the snare of religious conservatism in daily politics. Bush Junior when he was running for the president of the United States often cited verses to attract the support of religious groups. He also carried the principle of the sanctity of life that departed from theology to oppose abortion. Gay and lesbian subculture is considered as a social anomaly that endangers the theological grip of heterosexuality.
Politics that relies on religious conservatism tends to be quite promising. It will undoubtedly get public support. Why is that? Because this type of politics is actually a politicization of fear. Parents who fear their children will live with free sex support raids against condoms and boarding houses.
Religious followers who fear competition from other faiths support restrictions on the construction of houses of worship of other religions. Communism haunts the fate of the younger generation. Therefore, the anti-communist political program must be supported completely.
The politicization of fear is the kernel of religious conservatism. Talking about religion always leads to the vocabulary of purity. Purity must be protected by all means. The threat to purity needs to be continuously guarded so as to awaken it from its latent slumber. Conservative politics undoubtedly talks about the rules, restrictions and procedures that protect purity from the contamination of others.
Conservative politics resonates in every electoral moment. Public psychology that is constantly gripped by the aggression of others is utilized optimally. In short, choose a leader who will not let misguided ideology scatter in public space. Choose a leader of the same faith so that he will not adopt any policy that will be contrary to the belief. Choose a leader who will protect the faith from possible temptation. Finally, choose a leader who will remove all temptations through rules and policies.
Regional elections
Religious conservatism has gained its electoral moment in the current election in the capital city. When meritocratic politics is not powerful enough to gain votes, the religious sentiment is also played out. Since the first launch of the regional elections, the religious issue has been played in such a way. Propaganda is continuously disseminated to garner votes. Demonstrations, flyers, lectures. All possible methods are used to play up religious sentiment among the middle class.
The question is whether religious conservatism has the political power to mobilize the educated middle class in the capital city? The educated middle class is the class that prioritizes common sense rather than emotional affiliations. However, many forget that the character of the middle class is constantly looking for distinction or difference.
When socio-economic distinction fades, religion becomes a new distinction that attracts the middle class. Therefore, religious study activities are mushrooming at star-rated hotels. Socialites make religion as an identity in the daily elite relationship.
Here religious conservatism becomes very effective when it is used as a political strategy. The religious sentiment of the middle class that is hungry for identity is easily played into. Moreover, globalization produces adverse effects, namely the strengthening of the identity of asylum. When everything becomes liquid and possible, restrictions, prohibitions and isolation increasingly strengthen.
I remember how one gubernatorial candidate in the Jakarta election criticized the weakness of the incumbent candidate in realigning one of the nightclubs in the capital city.
The first round of the regional elections proved that religious conservatism was effective to garner votes. Initial surveys showed how the electability of the incumbent pairs was far above the electability of the two other pairs for governor and deputy governor. However, when the religious card was played, the map of power changed.
A part of the vote of the middle class switched to the other candidates. However, the "political accident" experienced by the “number one” pair failed to utilize religious conservatism maximally. The middle class apparently does not consider religion merely as a symbol, but also as a kind of behavior manifesting belief. Corruption charges against the vice governor of the number one pair reduced the electability of the pair significantly.
The second round is in sight. I think the religious sentiment will still be used to fight against the meritocratic politics of the incumbent pair because in terms of programs and public managerial competence, the incumbent pair is difficult to overpower. The number three pair will continue to sell "religious" policies to differentiate them from the incumbent pair. The educated middle class will become an "electoral battle" fought between the two candidate pairs. Here are the stakes. Can the votes of the middle class be seized through the politics of religious conservatism? Can the politicization of fear gain votes in the middle class?
We cannot yet foresee. To be sure the second round will be tight. The votes of the number one pair will not necessarily switch totally to the number three pair. The politics of religious conservatism can be counterproductive as well. The middle class in the capital city tends to avoid conflict that affects the economic establishment.
The politics of religious conservatism tends to be aggressive and can likely give birth to dangerous horizontal conflicts. The closed sectarianism can trigger social friction that is heated and protracted. The middle class will be the key to victory. The fight to get support from the middle class will prove: whether meritocratic politics or religious conservatism will win. Let us see it later.
DONNY GAHRAL ADIAN
Lecturer of philosophy, University of Indonesia