Journal of Social and Political
Sciences
ISSN 2615-3718 (Online)
ISSN 2621-5675 (Print)
Published: 28 June 2023
Utilization of Social and Moral Capital by Female Legislative Candidates for East Java’s Regional Legislative Assembly in the 2019 General Elections
Audra Jovani, Definitif Endrina Kartini Mendrofa, Sidratahta Mukhtar, Ervi S.B. Ketaren, Vainels K.L. Lawolo
Universitas Kristen Indonesia
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10.31014/aior.1991.06.02.424
Pages: 290-297
Keywords: Social Capital, Moral Capital, Female, Representation, General Election
Abstract
This study is prompted by the election of female legislative candidates in East Java’s 2019 General Elections. The notable presence of women in the East Java Regional Legislative Assembly serves as a cause for celebration, as it has observed a commendable quantitative surge from a previous count of seven individuals in the 2014 election to a noteworthy tally of 21 individuals in the 2019 election. The research aims to investigate how these four female legislative candidates utilized their social capital to secure their positions as elected members in the 2019 General Elections. The primary informants selected for the study met certain criteria, including being the incumbent legislative member of their electoral area, being the representative of their respective regions, and having a top or early sequence number in the election. This study is founded upon Robert Putnam's social capital theory and is bolstered by Claudia Derich's, Andrea Fleschenberg's, and Momoyo Hustebeck's moral capital theory. The methodology employed in this study is qualitative, employing a case study approach centered around in-depth interviews with four female legislative candidates who were successfully elected as legislative members. The primary findings of this study highlight several key factors that contributed to the election of these four female legislative candidates. These factors include significant support from their family members (spouses and parents) as well as endorsements from various colleagues representing religious organizations, social organizations, and alumni networks. Additionally, their success in the elections can be attributed to the moral capital they possess, which derived from their professional backgrounds as advocates, businesswomen, retired civil servants, and academicians. This moral capital directly resonated with the public and influenced their voting decisions.
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