The Dynamics of Citizenship Politics in Democracy: Challenges of Dual Citizenship Regulation in Indonesia

This study examines the dynamics of citizenship politics in the context of the Indonesian diaspora’s struggle for dual citizenship recognition following the passage of Law No. 12 on Citizenship in 2006. It employs a qualitative approach, drawing on Nancy Fraser and Axel Honneth’s theoretical framework of recognition and redistribution, as well as the principles of Pancasila Democracy, to identify how diaspora demands lead to contestation between globalist, nationalist, and primordialist groups in Indonesia’s public policy and legislative political spheres. The study’s findings indicate that the quest for dual citizenship recognition confronts significant hurdles, both normatively in terms of national loyalty, security, and state sovereignty, and practically owing to a lack of political agreement in the legislative body. Pancasila Democracy, which emphasizes discussion and consensus, appears incapable of bridging the conflicting interests of social groupings on this subject. This study demonstrates that Indonesian citizenship politics are complicated and inextricably linked to state ideology, fluctuating diaspora identities, and ever-changing global forces. Empirically, a deliberate and inclusive approach is necessary to develop legislation that meets the needs of the diaspora while upholding the fundamental principles of Indonesian identity.