Islamic Populism as Identity Politics: Dynamics and Challenges in Indonesian Democracy

Abstract

Islamic populism has grown rapidly in Indonesia as one manifestation of political identity that plays an important role in the dynamics of democratic politics. This phenomenon is considered a form of dissatisfaction of some Muslim communities with political and economic structures that are considered unfair and elitist. Islamic populism emphasizes the dichotomy between the holy group (ummah) and marginalized groups that face the political elite who are considered corrupt and do not represent the interests of the majority. The purpose of this article is to examine the development of Islamic populism in the context of Indonesian democracy, with a focus on how religion is used as a tool for political mobilization and the formation of collective identity. This study uses qualitative and quantitative approaches involving the analysis of various political events, including the 2014 and 2019 General Elections, the 2017 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election, and social movements such as the 411 and 212 Islamic Defense Actions. Quantitative data from research institutions such as LSI, SMRC, and political indicators Indonesia are used to measure public perceptions of politics based on religious identity and show a significant increase in preferences for identity politics among the Muslim community. This article also discusses the main challenges faced by Indonesia in managing Islamic populism, in line with the principles of integrative and pluralistic democracy. The results of this study are expected to contribute to academic understanding and become a guide in responding to the dynamics of Islamic identity politics in the era of modern democracy in Indonesia.