<![CDATA[Across the world, the rise of authoritarian populism has reshaped political systems and eroded democratic norms. This article examines whether Indonesia’s democratic decline during President Joko Widodo’s second term reflects this broader trend. Using a combination of statutory analysis, conceptual inquiry, and an interdisciplinary framework that draws from both law and political science, the study situates Indonesia’s experience within global debates on illiberalism. Although Jokowi remained highly popular throughout his presidency, his leadership increasingly displayed the core features of authoritarian populism: the concentration of executive power, the weakening of legislative and judicial oversight, pressure on independent media, and the erosion of democratic institutions. These developments were accompanied by anti‑elite rhetoric and a personalized style of political communication that bypassed party structures and formal accountability mechanisms. The analysis shows that Jokowi meets the defining characteristics of an authoritarian‑populist leader, as reflected in the weakening of the checks‑and‑balances system including interventions affecting the KPK and DPR, the strategic use of autocratic legalism, the shrinking of civic space, and the re‑expansion of military influence in civilian affairs. The article concludes by emphasizing the need to strengthen civil resistance, bolster non‑party opposition rooted in civil society, reinforce parliamentary oversight and judicial independence, and expand political education to prevent the normalization of authoritarian practices.]]>
