Susiatingsih, Hermini (2015) Anomalies of Direct Local Democracy in Semarang City. In: Proceeding International Conference on Democracy and Accountability (ICoDA) 2015. Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya. ISBN 978-602-18461-3-1

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Abstract

Theoretically, direct democracy is intended to achieve three main goals, namely (1) increase public
participation in political process, (2) improve public accountability and (3) enhance public welfare.
However, current research in Semarang cities indicated that these three ideal goals of direct
democracy do not take place. There are many obstacles and cultural context why this idealism of
direct democracy does not occur. This research is aimed at exploring this interesting research
findings. The research methodology in primarily based on qualitative research by deepening
informant views or opinions in regard to three main focuses, namely the connection between (a) direct
democracy and political participation, (b) direct democracy and public accountability and finally (c)
direct democracy and public welfare. Relevant secondary data are also used such as other research
reports and books.
The research results showed that there are three main anomalies happen in Semarang direct mayor
election. Firstly, Semarang voters do not ensure themselves that direct participation is strongly needed
in local political processes. They believe that participation will happen if there are money or other
forms given to them as the substitution of income loss in the day of election. Secondly, Semarang
voters do not believe that there is correlation between direct election and public accountability. They
argue that there are still many corruption, collusion and nepotism occur although the mayor is
directly voted by people. They perceive the meaning of democracy in very low level of
understanding and knowledge. Thirdly, Semarang voters do not believe that democracy will be able
to make their life better. They are pessimistic and hopeless to the future of direct democracy.

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