Ambiguity in Indonesian Cartelized Democracy: An Analysis on the Political Communication

This paper describes and analyzes political parties in Indonesia's democratic transition from their political communication patterns in ambiguity of cartelized democracy, where political parties work together to enjoy the state's resources and conflict simultaneously. Three conceptions are being used to explain the patterns of political communication occur among coalition parties: first is the output of political process, which contains political impression management and substantive action; secondly, the definition of the situation; and finally the cartel party. The conclusion shows that of political communication among coalition parties tend to be most stable when there is an entity that could dominate the popularity and public support. The pattern changed to be in conflict when there is no one could dominate the popularity and political structure.