Demokrasi di Malang: Menggali Kontribusi Masyarakat Sipil Dalam Pengembangan Demokrasi Lokal

Abstract

Nearly two decades after the government reform needs to be seen again at how the role of civil society in the development of democracy, specially local democracy. This study focuses on the contribution of civil society in the development of democracy in Malang. The purpose of this study is to seek civil society contribution in the development of local democracy. Conception of civil society that is used is the civil society version of Alexis de Tocqueville, that is civil society as a voluntary association. The research method used is a qualitative method. The results obtained from this study is the civil society in Malang grouped into six major issues, that are street children, health, development and governance, women, labor, and education issues. The contribution of civil society in a democracy in Malang is firstly, they provide the basis of state power divider. Second, civil society complements the role of political parties in encouraging participation, increase the effectiveness and democratic skills and encourage understanding of citizenship. Third, building a channel outside the political parties to articulate, accommodating and representing the interests of women, workers, and marginal groups such as LGBT and street children.