Kinship and Group Solidarity in Determining Victory of the 2020 Pacitan Regent Candidate Pair

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the role of ethnopolitics and kinship solidarity in determining the victory of candidate pairs in the 2020 Pacitan Regency Election, with the aim of understanding the influence of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) as a political patron on voter preferences and political networks. Theoretical Framework: This research is underpinned by concepts of kinship solidarity, ethnopolitics, and political patronage. These frameworks provide a solid basis for analyzing informal political networks and social ties and their influence on local democracy and voter behavior. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a qualitative approach utilizing a phenomenological lens. Data collection involved in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis. This multi-method strategy enabled an exploration of the dynamics between kinship solidarity, group solidarity, and political preferences among voters. Result and Discussion: The results revealed that kinship solidarity serves as a social-emotional and informal political network, effectively mobilizing electoral support. SBY's personality strengthens these ties, creating legitimacy beyond traditional program-based campaign strategies. Ideologically driven group solidarity and shared interests also play a crucial role in mobilizing societal elements with collective values. However, risks associated with kinship-dominated politics, such as nepotism and favoritism, were identified as potential threats to meritocracy and local democratic integrity. These findings are contextualized within the theoretical framework, emphasizing the dual impact of such networks on voter behavior and democratic processes. Research Implications: This research highlights practical and theoretical implications, offering insights for designing effective, context-sensitive political campaigns. It also underscores the need for balancing kinship-based networks with merit-based practices to enhance local democratic integrity. These findings are particularly relevant to the fields of political science and public administration. Originality: This study contributes to the literature by providing an in-depth understanding of the integration of social networks and political preferences in Sustainable Cities, particularly in terms of political patronage and access to sustainable resources and voter preferences. This study highlights the strategic role of ethnopolitics in shaping local democracy, offering a new perspective on strengthening democratic practices through community-oriented strategies.