Adaptive Voter Rationality in Celebrity Politics: Evidance from West Bandung’s 2024 Local Election

Sintia Lisnawati, Ratnia Solihah, Yusa Djuyandi

Abstract


This study aims to analyze the rational approach to voting behavior among the public for celebrity candidates and how rational considerations influence voting decisions. The method used is quantitative with a descriptive design. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 100 respondents in 3 subdistricts in West Bandung Regency, selected using cluster sampling. There are two main variables measured, namely the rational approach, which includes four main aspects, namely the calculation of benefits and welfare, information orientation and program evaluation, participation costs, and attitudes towards money politics and material gains. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. The results of the study show that voters continue to demonstrate strong rationality in determining their choice of celebrity candidates. The aspects of information orientation and program evaluation, as well as the calculation of benefits and welfare, are the dominant considerations, while the popularity of candidates serves as a means of information efficiency that reduces the cost of political participation. On the other hand, there is tension between normative and pragmatic considerations in responding to money politics. The main contribution of this study lies in enriching the rational choice perspective by showing that voter rationality in Indonesian local democracy operates adaptively and is integrated with the logic of political personalization, particularly in the context of celebrity candidates.


Keywords


Rational Approach; Voter Behavior; Celebrity Candidates; PILKADA; West Bandung Regency.

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35308/jpp.v12i4.14990

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