A paradigm loss, not paradise lost<\/p>\n
Aloys Budi Purnomo
\nContextual Theologian
\nPontifical Faculty of
\nTheology \"Wedabhakti\"
\nYogyakarta
\naloybudipurnomo@plasa.com<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, politics in future will have to engage with a
\nnew paradigm of the political aesthetic. If politics has not had
\nan aesthetic experience, if politicians as a whole have not had
\nit, if they are taught only the throne of power, all will die,
\nlittle by little! Whether or not politicians have the political
\naesthetic, they are mediocre men and women not to be trusted with
\nsuch great promises for the entire nation of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Yet, in the darkest hours of the endless multidimensional
\ncrisis, I will declare that a paradigm on the political aesthetic
\nis most urgently needed in Indonesia. Within the context of a
\nlack of paradigm on the political aesthetic, however, we believe
\nthat there is a paradigm loss, not paradise lost!<\/p>\n
Indonesia's 2004 election should provide for our nation to be
\nable to rebuild itself from its destruction by constructing a new
\nparadigm on a political aesthetic! It means the art of political
\ndemocracy should be engraved in truth and justice. Art, truth and
\njustice represent three aspects of the manifestation of politics.<\/p>\n
With regard to politics in Indonesia, we should note that the
\npolitical aesthetic is still far from our hopes and ideals. That
\npolitics should be the art of public services for the sake of all
\npeople in Indonesia is irrevocable!<\/p>\n
Within the context of Europe in the eighteenth century, which
\nwas barbarian, egotistic, materialistic and full of people who
\nwere disunited because of unsatisfactory sociopolitical
\nconditions, Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1805) prophesied the
\nimportance of the political aesthetic as the way to freedom. He
\nwas a leading 18th century German dramatist, poet, historian and
\nliterary theorist. The political aesthetic would be an instrument
\nfor the moral and political education of man. For him, the
\npolitical aesthetic was a moral symbol: Art plus beauty was
\nconducive to a moral life. That is the political aesthetic, the
\nart of political education for humankind. It is the way to build
\na humane and just civil society.<\/p>\n
To some extent, democracy in Indonesia is also fragmented
\nbecause of rotten politicians who ignore the political aesthetic:
\nThere is no aesthetic experience of politics in Indonesia.
\nAccording to Italian poet and politician Dante Allighieri (1265-
\n1321), however, politics should be an aesthetic expression for
\nthe glorification of God through humankind, to whom much has been
\ngiven as justice, peace and wealth.<\/p>\n
Politics, then, should be full of fascinating experiences for
\nthe people. Thus, politics should be the art of holiness that
\nproduces justice, peace and wealth for all mankind.<\/p>\n
However, it is a pity that political democracy in Indonesia
\nhas left the country in ruins because of the activities of rotten
\npoliticians! As a result, civilization in Indonesia lacks a sense
\nof its own destiny. Politics is bereft of aesthetic qualities
\nunless it relies on the experience of God!<\/p>\n
Politics in Indonesia has been dimmed indeed due to bad
\npoliticians, whose mentality, action and attitude are
\nreprehensible and irresponsible. They have no concept of the
\npolitical aesthetic, such that the nation finds itself in a
\nrunaway situation, socially, economically and politically.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's transition to democracy in the post-Soeharto era
\ncarries no sign yet of the political aesthetic. Public services
\nlack humanity in their quality or delivery. The political
\naesthetic, as idealized by Friedrich, Dante and many Indonesians,
\nhas not been made manifest yet! Unless a political aesthetic is
\nestablished in Indonesia, the nation will destroy its people and
\ncast them aside for the sake of power!<\/p>\n
The multiparty system in Indonesia's 2004 election is really
\nurging both the people and would-be leaders to participate much
\nmore in the democratic life of this country. But the plethora of
\npoliticians participating in the dynamics of democracy has not
\nimproved the sociopolitical situation. Rather, it has become more
\nsophisticated and confusing.<\/p>\n
It is caused by the two axioms of authoritarian power, in
\nwhich the history of endless power is replayed: L'etat c'est moi
\n(I am the state), is one. (This was the famous articulation of
\nauthoritarian power by Louis XIV of France.) Second, the corrupt
\napproach to gaining power by ignoring ethical considerations is
\nstronger than ever before.<\/p>\n
The lack of a consistent commitment to wipe out corruption,
\nthe formation of coalitions merely to gain power, the rise of New
\nOrder politicians and the Supreme Court's exoneration of Akbar
\nTandjung all indicate extremely well the two aspects of
\nauthoritarianism and power: endless power and its rotten
\norientation.<\/p>\n
In the language of Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987), American
\npsychologist and a leader in moral education, the politicians of
\nIndonesia do not have a vision of the political aesthetic, and
\nare marked by five characteristics.<\/p>\n
First, they have a materialistic mentality. They seem so
\nreligiously faithful in their attitudes, as verbally expressed,
\nbut their daily lives indicate that they are indeed atheists in
\npractice. Their vertical faith toward God is not supported by
\ntheir horizontal love toward others.<\/p>\n
Second, their speeches are full of false election campaign
\npromises: They are wolves in sheep's clothing. After gaining
\npower, they forget everything they have promised. Because of
\ntheir worldliness power tends to corrupt them. Behold, there lies
\nanarchy!<\/p>\n
Third, is political opportunism, the practice of using a
\nsituation unfairly to gain advantage for themselves without
\nthinking how their actions will affect other people. They use
\npolitics as though it were a business commodity! Their status is
\ncommercialized in the pursuit of self-aggrandizement.<\/p>\n
Fourth, there are so many politicians marked by insincerity.
\nThe important thing for them is to create an artificially
\nattractive impression but ignore the oppressed, the weak and the
\npoor. Generally, they do not care about morals and principles, as
\nif such things had nothing to do with them.<\/p>\n
Last but not least, politicians who lack the political
\naesthetic usually and easily misuse the law. They may demonstrate
\nidealism for truth and justice, but this is merely lip service.
\nDo not waste your breath trying to convince them. They know well
\nhow to succeed with impunity through the use of clever
\nstrategies. For us, impunity is a much-used word today. In
\nIndonesia, the call to end impunity before the law is utterly
\nnaive!<\/p>\n
Under such circumstances, we all have the right to ask: When
\nwill the political aesthetic exist for us? When will Indonesia be
\nable to achieve truth, justice and peace for all as a
\nmanifestation of the political aesthetic? Do we seriously hope to
\neliminate corruption? May we change barbaric, vulgar, and amoral
\npolitical behavior via the political aesthetic?<\/p>\n
All of these questions can only be answered if we rebuild our
\nparadigm on the political aesthetic for Indonesia. Again, we
\nbelieve that it is a paradigm loss, not paradise lost! So, we
\nstill have hope that the possibility of capturing the political
\naesthetic for Indonesia will prevail! The 2004 election is a
\ngolden opportunity for us to do so!<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-paradigm-loss-not-paradise-lost-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}