International Law Discourse in Southeast Asia
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): January-June, 2026

Democracy for Sale to the Algorithm: How Platform Power Is Rewriting Political Participation in Indonesia

Valerio Sebastian (Sociedad Civil de Derecho y Políticas Públicas (SOCIPOL))
Souad Ezzerouali (United Arab Emirates University)
Muhammad Iqbal Baiquni (Universitas Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Jan 2026

Abstract

The growing influence of digital platforms has transformed political communication and participation in Indonesia, raising critical questions about the relationship between technological power and democratic governance. Although social media has expanded opportunities for political expression, its algorithmic systems also determine the visibility of political messages, shape public attention, and potentially reproduce existing inequalities in political representation. This study aims to examine how platform power mediates political participation in Indonesia and how algorithmic content distribution intersects with political influence, commercial interests, and democratic accountability. It proposes a qualitative research design combining critical discourse analysis, digital ethnography, and semi-structured interviews with political communication practitioners, content creators, and digitally engaged citizens. Selected political content circulating on major social media platforms would be analyzed to investigate patterns of visibility, political framing, and the construction of public opinion. The theoretical framework integrates platform capitalism, algorithmic governance, and deliberative democracy. Rather than treating digital participation as inherently democratizing, the study conceptualizes it as a contested process shaped by unequal access to visibility and influence. The proposed analysis seeks to contribute an Indonesia-grounded perspective to international debates on digital democracy, platform accountability, and political communication in emerging democracies. Its findings could inform discussions on digital literacy, electoral integrity, and institutional responses to the growing political power of commercial platforms.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

indi

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Indonesia Discourse is a multidisciplinary, semi-annual journal that provides a timely and comprehensive study of Indonesias culture, history, government, economy, society, technology, and health. The journal is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary research that examines Indonesias evolving role ...