Kajian Simbol-Simbol Etnisitas dalam Kampanye, Komunikasi Politik dan Pergeserannya pada Pemilukada Kabupaten Poso

Abstract

This research was based on the issue of the use of ethnicity and religion in politics that happens in the election of regional head in a conflict prone area. This happens mostly in an area with diverse ethnicities and religions, for instance Poso district. Besides that, Poso has long story of violent conflict caused by ethnicity and religion, and this makes it even more interesting to know how ethnicity is constructed in the election of regional head recent context. The method used was qualitative research with symbolic interaction approach, where social life is essentially a human interaction with the use of symbols. The result of the research in the 2010 election of regional head showed that the construction of ethnicity and religious symbols by potential candidate of District's Head and its vice has emphasized on local candidates, use of traditional customs, ethnicity's organization, local language, and symbols of religious organization. But it's unfortunate that those issues have been undermined by security and legal order that become very interesting for the voters. The image of conflict, which has traumatized society of Poso, has swept away the ethnic issues, because they realized the importance of living in peace and secure.