Youth, Protest, and Democratic Imaginaries: Indonesia’s 2019 Student Movement as a Case of Political Socialization

Abstract

This study investigates Indonesia’s 2019 student movement as a case of political socialization, focusing on how youth-led protests contribute to shaping democratic imaginaries and civic identity in a transitional democratic context. The 2019 protests, sparked by proposed legislative reforms perceived as undermining civil liberties and democratic institutions, mobilized thousands of students across the country and became a defining moment in contemporary Indonesian politics. Using qualitative methods, including discourse analysis of protest slogans, speeches, social media content, and interviews with student activists, the research examines how young participants construct political meanings, negotiate collective identities, and articulate visions of democracy. The findings show that the movement functioned as a formative space for political learning, where students developed critical awareness of governance, justice, and civic responsibility through collective action. Protest rhetoric combined moral narratives, constitutionalism, and participatory ideals, enabling youth to position themselves as guardians of democratic values and future stewards of the nation. Moreover, digital platforms amplified the movement’s reach and facilitated political socialization by providing spaces for debate, coordination, and identity formation. The novelty of this study lies in conceptualizing the 2019 student movement not only as political resistance but as a process of democratic education and identity formation, emphasizing the role of protest in shaping long-term political attitudes. The study contributes to scholarship on youth politics and democratization by demonstrating how collective mobilization influences civic socialization and democratic commitment among young citizens. It concludes that sustaining democratic resilience in Indonesia requires recognizing youth activism as a vital site of political learning and recommends strengthening civic education and participatory mechanisms that integrate student voices into democratic governance.