Revitalisasi Masyarakat Sipil dalam Mengawal Peradaban Demokrasi: Respons terhadap Populisme di Indonesia

Abstract

The wave of populism that has swept through Indonesia over the past decade has posed serious challenges to democratic consolidation. This phenomenon is reflected in the 2024 elections, marked by populist rhetoric, identity politics, and the weakening of checks and balances. This article analyzes the urgency of revitalizing civil society as a pillar of democracy amid the threat of populism. Using Jürgen Habermas' (1989) deliberative democracy theoretical framework and Antonio Gramsci's (1971) concept of counter-hegemony, this study examines three crucial dimensions: (1) the anatomy of contemporary Indonesian populism and its impact on the space for deliberative democracy; (2) the crisis of civil society's role in safeguarding checks and balances; and (3) strategies for revitalizing civil society through strengthening political literacy, building cross-sector coalitions, and utilizing digital spaces. This study finds that although Indonesian civil society faces a shrinking civic space, there are strategic opportunities to strengthen deliberative capacity and build resistance to divisive populist narratives. The revitalization of civil society requires a transformation from elitist approaches toward inclusive grassroots movements, as well as the strengthening of strategic alliances with independent media, academia, and progressive business sectors. Keywords: Civil Society, Populism, Deliberative Democracy, Counter-Hegemony, Indonesia