POLITICAL LINKAGES DAN MODEL REPRESENTASI POLITIK DI INDONESIA

Empirical fact indicates that the representation established between legislators and their constituents has yet to exhibit adequate quality. There is still a gap between the desires of the people and their legislative representation, as well as the models of representation in effect. Generally speaking, this low degree of representation is indicated by: (1) a lack of commitment on the part of legislators to further the aspirations and needs of their constituents, (2) a lack of a political communication system which is capable of offering active channels for effective communication between legislators and their constituents, (3) and a lack of legislator-formulated mechanisms for realizing programs promised during election campaigns, which leads to a low degree of political accountability.

Meanwhile, in terms of demand, the low quality of representation is rooted in: (1) constituents’ limited capacity to negotiate with legislators and promote their aspirations and desires as public policy, (2) constituents’ limited networks and ability to promote access to the legislative process, as part of public policymaking mechanisms, (3) contituents’ lack of complete information regarding the frame in which legislators must act in carrying out their public mandate.

From a methodological perspective, this evaluation program involves evaluating program effects on participation; as such, active involvement of main stakeholders is part of the evaluation process. This method has been selected to ensure that the evaluation process can identify program benchmarks, potential, obstacles, and results. Program effects can thus be mapped, and this map can be used as a tool for future program development.