Political Polarization in Indonesia's Digital Public Sphere: Online Communities, Identity Politics, and Democratic Deliberation

Yuni Kartika

doi:10.65815/4z052g66

Authors

Yuni Kartika Universitas Bangka Belitung Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65815/4z052g66

Keywords:

Political polarization, digital public sphere, identity politics, deliberative democracy, Indonesia

Abstract

The expansion of digital political communication has created unprecedented opportunities for citizens to participate in public debate while simultaneously intensifying political polarization. Indonesian social media users increasingly encounter political information through communities organized around ideological, religious, or candidate-based identities. This article examines the relationship between online political communities and democratic deliberation in Indonesia. Using qualitative digital discourse analysis, the study investigates political identity formation, interaction patterns, disagreement, and information sharing. The article argues that polarization is strengthened when algorithmic recommendation systems and interpersonal networks repeatedly expose users to politically homogeneous content. However, online communities can also facilitate political participation and collective identity formation. The study proposes a deliberative communication framework emphasizing cross-community dialogue, media literacy, exposure to diverse perspectives, and responsible platform governance. The article concludes that the democratic impact of digital polarization should not be evaluated solely by the existence of political disagreement but by whether citizens retain opportunities to encounter alternative perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue.

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