Etika Moral Jean-Jacques Rousseau dalam Ruang Perpolitikan di Indonesia

Abstract

The study of moral ethics in the political sphere in Indonesia today shows a situation of a drastic degradation. The problem is caused by the imbalance of political knowledge and practical actions applied in human life as political beings (zoon politikon). The policies of the political elite tend to be based on the individual interests rather than on the common good of citizens (bonum commune). Jean-Jacques Rousseau considers this as a crisis of national moral ethics. This article aims to discuss Rousseau’s perspective on this issue. This article employs a qualitative study, applying the method of critical analysis of comparative literature data. Rousseau describes four themes of the studies of moral ethics in the socio-political life of the nation which include the ideas such as humans are naturally good, morality as an expression of feelings, freedom and authenticity, and social contracts and public morality. Reading the four main points of Rousseau's moral ethics, the author finds three main points of the relevance of Rousseau’s moral ethics for the context of the political sphere in Indonesia as well as a space that offers the concept of political practice in the lives of the political elite in Indonesia. First, freedom of expression in expressing opinions and the right to determine considerations for political policies by people’s representatives. Second, the existence of a participatory political education system for the political elite in Indonesia. Third, Indonesia as a democratic country consisting of various ethnicities, religions and cultures requires a deliberation process to achieve the general will.