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ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION APPROACH AS A
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
MCO 456 - POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
WEEK 5
Expected End Capability:
After studying this material, readers are expected to be able to analyze:
•
Definition of Organizational Communication
•
four political organizations as political communication media,
Definition of Organizational Communication:
As mentioned earlier, the flow of communication in the organization includes vertical
communication and horizontal communication. Each of these communication flows
has a very distinctive function. Ronald Adler and George Rodman in the book
Understanding Human Communication, try to describe each, the function of the two
communication flows in the organization as follows:
1.
Downward communication, which is communication that takes place when people
who are at the management level send messages to their subordinates. The functions of
this top-down communication flow are:
a) Provision or storage of job instructions
b) Explanation from the leader about why a task needs to be carried out
(job retionnale)
c) Submission of information on applicable regulations (procedures and
practices)
d) Providing motivation to employees to work better.
2.
Upward communication, which is communication that occurs when subordinates
send messages to their superiors. The functions of this bottom-up communication flow
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are:
a) Delivery of information about work or tasks that have been carried out
b) Submission of information about work problems or tasks that cannot be completed
by subordinates
c) Submission of improvement suggestions from subordinates
d) Complaints from subordinates about themselves or their work.
3.
Horizontal communication, which is an act of communication that takes place
between employees or sections that have equal positions. The functions of this
horizontal communication flow are:
a) Improve task coordination
b) Troubleshooting efforts
c) Share information with each other
d) Conflict resolution efforts
e) Foster relationships through joint activities.
In order for the communication process in educational organizations to run
effectively, it is necessary to know the various forms of communication that are often
done, so that it can be known whether someone is doing interpersonal communication,
intergroup communication or mass communication.
This is in accordance with Djajadistra's opinion in Edi that the form or method of
communication is divided into three parts, namely: Interpersonal communication or
commonly referred to as interpersonal communication. Besides interpersonal
communication, the term intergroup communication is also known. In this intergroup
communication can be divided into two parts, namely large group and small group
communication.
Next is mass communication, which is a type of communication that involves
many people. In this mass communication, mass media is needed in order to reach
many targets with a very wide range and even unlimited. The media that can be used in
mass communication are newspapers or newspapers, magazines, radio, television,
internet, Facebook, and so on.
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Political Theory in Organizational Communication
Organization comes from Greek: ὄργανον or can be read Organon which means Tool.
So it can be interpreted as a group of people in a container to carry out a common goal.
The organization is basically used as a place or container where people gather, work
together rationally and systematically, planned, organized, guided and controlled, in
utilizing resources (money, materials, machines, methods, environment), infrastructure,
data, and so on which are used efficiently and effectively to achieve organizational
goals as the definition of communication according to experts.
There are several definitions of organization according to experts, namely:
•
Stephen P. Robbins states that an organization is a consciously coordinated social
entity, with a relatively identifiable boundary, that works on a relatively
continuous basis to achieve a common goal or group of goals.
•
James D. Mooney suggests that an organization is any form of human association
to achieve a common goal.
•
Stoner says that organization is a pattern of relationships in which people under the
direction of superiors work on common goals.
•
Chester I. Bernard argues that organization is a system of cooperative activities
carried out by 2 or more people.
Politics comes from the Greek, namely: Politikos, which means from or relating
to citizens. In English, it is called politics, which means wise, civilized, or reasonable
as the theory of interpersonal communication.
Politics can basically be interpreted as: the process of forming and distributing
power in society, which among other things takes the form of a decision-making
process, especially in the state. This definition is an effort to combine various different
definitions of the nature of politics known in political science.
In addition, politics can also be viewed from different perspectives, among others:
•
Politics is the effort taken by citizens to realize the common good (Aristotle's
classical theory)
•
Politics is a matter relating to the organization of government and state.
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•
Politics is an activity directed at gaining and maintaining power in society.
•
Politics is all about the process of formulating and implementing public policy.
Political organizations are organizations or groups that are engaged or interested
or involved in the political process and in the science of statehood, actively play a role
in determining the fate of the nation. Political organizations can include various types
of organizations such as advocacy groups that lobby for change to politicians, think
tanks that propose policy alternatives, political parties that put forward candidates in
general elections, and terrorist groups that use violence to achieve their political goals.
In a broader sense, a political organization can also be considered a political system if
it has a complete system of government.
Basically, political organizations are part of a unit that is interested in the
formation of social order in a certain area by a legitimate government. This
organization can also create a form of structure to be followed as part of cognitive
social theory.
Political theory is a study of the concept of determining political goals, how to
achieve these goals and all the consequences. Discussions in Political Theory include
political philosophy, the concept of a political system, state, society, sovereignty,
power, legitimacy, state institutions, social change, political development, comparative
politics, etc.
federalism, feminism, religious fundamentalism, globalism, imperialism, capitalism,
communism, liberalism, libertarianism, marxism, meritocracy, monarchy, nationalism,
racism, socialism, theocracy, totalitarianism, oligarchy etc. in the function of
communication function.
Political theorists see power, conflict and the distribution of scarce resources as
the central issues in organizations. In other words, they view organizations as living
political arenas, which contain a complex variety of individual and group interests. The
propositions of the political perspective according to Bolman (1988) are as follows:
1. Most of the important decisions in organizations involve the allocation of scarce
resources.
2. An organization is a composite composition of a number of individual and group
interests
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3. Individual and group interests vary in their values, preferences, beliefs,
information and perceptions of reality.
4. Organizational goals and decisions arise from the process of bargaining,
negotiating and jockeying for position among individuals and groups.
5. Because of scarce resources and enduring differences, power and conflict are
central to organizational life.
Examples of conflicts from political organizations that we often encounter are during
mayoral, governor or presidential election campaigns in the context of communication.
There are 2 conflicts in this case that we encounter, namely direct or indirect conflicts.
Direct conflicts that occur include riots between the two camps of these political
organizations during direct campaigns in the field. Clashes occur due to a number of
provocations from between the camps of these political organizations.
For example:
In the New Order era, physical clashes between masses of party supporters also
occurred. Although the security apparatus was tightly controlled at that time, political
violence between masses of party supporters is also difficult to avoid. In the 1992
elections, for example, Yogyakarta saw the carrying of a coffin as a protest against the
"death of democracy". This incident was triggered by the discriminatory treatment of
PDI and PPP. Golkar, which was supported by the government and security forces, was
allowed to campaign with allegorical marches and motor vehicle convoys. But when it
was PDI's turn to campaign, it was suddenly banned from using motorized vehicles.
This included the riots in Jakarta known as the Banteng Field incident (1982).
-Indirect conflicts that occur include black campaigns.
The term black campaign is a translation of the English black campagne, which
means campaigning in a bad or evil way. Bad or evil in the sense of harming other
people or political opponents or other political parties (parpol), while the owner of the
black campaign hopes that he or his party will benefit. It's like the proverb: muddy the
water, hope the fish appear that was the Political Theory in Organizational
Communication and its explanation. Hopefully it can be a reference and additional
knowledge for you. And hopefully this article can be useful.
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Political Communication Strategy:
Communication is fundamental in human life. This is based on human nature as a
social being who needs others. Interaction or communication between individuals with
individuals, individuals with groups, and groups with groups will always be done every
day. Like a human chain, one to another is connected through a chain called
communication. From communication people know something information, the more
people know something, the more they are considered to have information, and if they
control information then they control the world.
Not to be overlooked are political parties. Political parties also have this function.
According to Leo Agustino, every party has a political communication function.
Through this intertwined communication, it is hoped that the party will be able to reach
all stakeholders sympathizers or those who are still politically illiterate so that they are
not just in a growing wave of political apathy. However, what happens instead is that
many political parties in this country do not communicate well and correctly and
efficiently. Many political parties play shortcuts in conducting this political
communication. Many of the ways chosen are pragmatic politics. That is, ways that are
considered fast such as money, basic necessities, etc. during the campaign before the
election, or also communication that brings down opponents in order to gain public
sympathy. Even though it can cause political abuse for the audience or the masses who
follow the campaigns Political Communication carried out by a political party is very
useful for the victory of the political party itself. Considering that one of the elements
of communication is to show self-identity, the correct communication will introduce to
others self-identity in this case is the identity of the political party to the masses
present.
From this identity, political parties can create sympathy from the people which
leads to victory. Indonesia is a democratic country. This is explained in the 1945
Constitution article 1 paragraph 2 which reads "The Sovereignty is in the hands of the
People and is implemented according to the Constitution". This is also emphasized in
the 4th Pancasila principle "Democracy led by the wisdom of the people in the
deliberation of representatives". During its existence for almost 68 years, the state
constitution has always emphasized the aspect of demoration with the highest
sovereignty in the hands of the people, not in the hands of God, let alone in the hands
of the ruler.
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The very democracy that has been composed since birth makes the Indonesian
State feel very thick with everything to realize the democratic process, one of which is
general elections or what is often called elections. However, the fact is that elections in
Indonesia are currently experiencing a slight setback with many voters who ultimately
do not use their voting rights. As a country that upholds this, it is very ironic
considering that a country's democracy is measured through elections. This is where the
role of political communication of political parties to the wider community should be
needed. According to Burhanudin Muhtadi, said that out of 2290 people, 67 percent
were not interested in anything political.
One of the manifestations of democracy in the sense of "procedures for forming
government at large", is the General Election (Pemilu). In a sense, elections are an
important manifestation of "procedural democracy". According to Samuel P.
Huntington in the book "The Third Wave of Democracy" states "The main procedure
of democracy is the competitive election of leaders by the people they (will) lead." In
addition, elections are very much in line with the spirit of democracy in substance or
"substantial democracy", namely democracy in the sense of a government organized
from the people by the people and for the people. This means that it is the people who
hold the highest power (sovereignty).
So it can be concluded that elections are an institution as well as a political
practice procedure to realize the sovereignty of the people which may form a
representative government which, according to the opinion of Robert Dahl, is the ideal
and maximum picture for a government in modern times.
Communication media is one of the elements of political communication that is
indispensable in political life. The role of political communication media is to provide
space for individuals who have the same interests in politics to channel ideas and ideas,
and discuss various issues related to politics.
There are many media that can be used to support political communication needs, one
of which is in the form of political organizations.
Political organizations are the right choice for those who share common interests
and goals. Moreover, the influence of an organization is also greater than that of a lone
movement when it comes to engaging in the political and statecraft process.
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We can see the fact now that solid and strong political parties have considerable
control in determining the fate of the nation.
Well, in this article we discuss four political organizations as political communication
media, which are as follows:
1. Political party
Political parties are political organizations that are established with specific goals
and have certain ideologies. Just like other organizational characteristics, political
parties also consist of organized groups that have the same orientation, values and
goals.
Political parties are one of the right steps for someone who wants to contribute
and get involved in advancing the country. But again, here we need to pay attention to
the vision and mission of the political party before really jumping in and joining it.
In Indonesia, there are many political parties, and each party has different
principles and directions. Every party wants to gain political power so that they can
implement policies in accordance with their respective ideologies. Therefore, recognize
your intentions and goals before deciding to become one of the cadres in a political
party.
2. Political advocacy:
Advocacy is a movement or action carried out in a planned, structured manner,
and with a communication strategy in shaping public opinion to change policies.
Advocacy serves as a space for those who want to demand protests or provide support.
Advocacy is usually done to criticize the abuse of power or to demand justice for
the weak. Advocacy can be spearheaded by individuals, groups, non-governmental
organizations, or organizations that focus on solving human rights issues.
In terms of political communication, advocacy is usually done by readers to
criticize the abuse of the law. One form of movement is by organizing the community
to reject any type of law violation. Usually they will also provide mass action pressure
so that their goals can be achieved.
However, in doing advocacy, we should pay attention to the aims and objectives,
whether they are based on research and facts or are simply controlled by emotional
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things. Because in an era where hoaxes are widely circulated, we need to be wise in
processing news and not be easily provoked.
3. Think Thank
By definition, a think thank is a research institution tasked with collecting data
and analyzing research results that will be used by policy makers. Think tanks are
oriented towards public policy which can be either domestic or international issues.
Policy makers are not entirely dependent on think tanks, as the reports are only used for
consideration.
Think tanks are independent organizations that are affiliated with the government.
They usually serve as a bridge between academics and policy makers. Think tanks
serve the public interest by translating research results into language that is easily
understood by the public.
We may often think, how do leaders make decisions? While we know that leaders
have many tasks and may not have the time to dig into the problem in detail. Well, this
is one of the roles of think tanks in government, which is to help leaders make
decisions.
In general, think tanks have three main functions, namely:
•
Providing advice or input to leaders or political parties with which they are
affiliated.
•
Train and educate political party members and candidates for legislative or
executive positions.
•
Provide a network or space for like-minded people.
4. Terrorist group
One example of organizations as a medium of political communication is
terrorism groups. However, unlike the three organizations above, terrorism groups are
destructive and damage the existing political order. Because one of the goals of
terrorism is to achieve political goals.
In this era of globalization, threats in people's lives are not only limited to major
wars, but can also take the form of terrorism that can have an impact on changing the
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order of society. This threat or terror usually comes from radical groups that have a
vision and mission that is contrary to the government.
Terrorism is not an action to gain casualties, but to cause fear and to intimidate
the public in order to achieve certain political interests. And as a form of action,
terrorism can use violence, suppression, and coercion to spread threats to other parties.
Terror is said to be successful if the threat succeeds in influencing society. The
reason why terrorist groups are included in political organizations is because terrorist
groups have a vision, mission, and strategy before carrying out their actions.
That's all the article about some examples of organizations as political
communication media. Hopefully this article can provide new insights and knowledge
to readers. Thank you.
Political Theory in Organizational Communication and its Explanation:
Humans are social creatures who cannot live alone. Humans always need other
creatures to survive. So, humans must carry out activities called communication. In
organizational communication activities, humans usually need other humans to interact
and other relationships. With the interaction of fellow humans, it can create a group
and can develop into an organization as the theory of wear in interpersonal
communication.
Very many organizations - organizations related to the life of a human being. One
of them is the political organization. Namely organizations engaged in government and
political parties. Political organizations are no different from other organizations.
Because in political organizations also have theories that explain the organizational
aspects that exist in the political realm as part of communication psychology.
Community Organizations in Relation to Political Parties:
The extent of involvement of community organizations (CSOs) in political
parties. For now, many opinions state that the closeness of community organizations
(CSOs) is indeed seen with certain political parties. The closeness of the community
organization (CSO) to one of the political parties is also due to some of the members of
the community organization (CSO) participating in the political party. The involvement
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between the community organization (CSO) and the political party is only seen in the
form of political party activities carried out directly by inviting members of the
community organization (CSO) in political party activities by using the uniform of the
community organization (CSO). The background of the involvement of community
organizations (CSOs) with political parties is due to the encouragement and support
and assistance provided by one of the members of the political party to the community
organization (CSO), thus creating an interest in being involved in political activities,
especially in one of the political parties that pay attention to the community
organization (CSO). In this case, of course, community organizations (CSOs) prioritize
activities that are social in nature to the community rather than political in nature, but if
it is political then we can divide ourselves between those who want or not, even though
the attributes of community organizations (CSOs) are still used as a form of identity for
members of community organizations (CSOs) participating in political party activities.
Strategies Implemented by Community Organizations (CSOs) to Political Parties. In
the records of community organizations (ormas) there are indeed figures in certain
political parties who participate in the organization and their position is as advisors.
With the intention of providing encouragement and figures to community organizations
(CSOs) and having strength for community organizations (CSOs) and interest for
people who want to participate in joining community organizations (CSOs) as well as
indirectly the existence of community organization activities (CSOs) becomes close to
existing political parties through figures who are placed as advisors in community
organizations (CSOs).
Not only members of community organizations (CSOs) are close or approached
by members of political parties, but there are also some members of political parties
who join or are only close to the extent of making friends and establishing closeness
with members of our community organizations (CSOs), which in the future will indeed
look politically close. Such closeness is usually used as a form of mass mobilization or
support to enliven, guard and at least be able to provide support and contribution to a
member of a political party or maybe to his party when there are political party
activities organized.
In community organizations (CSOs) in general, they certainly have a way or
strategy that can be used and applied in building and developing the structure of the
community organization (CSO) they lead, even in showing their existence and showing
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their activities must also have and use a strategy including political strategies.
The state of the community organization (ormas) does appear to have forms of
closeness to one of the political parties, but that does not mean there is full work for the
political party. We certainly do not have a special political method or strategy that we
apply to enter political parties, it can be said that some members of community
organizations (CSOs) who may move personally use certain methods and efforts that
direct some other members of community organizations (CSOs) to participate in one of
the desired political parties. But there are aims and objectives that are indeed expected
after being able to enter the political space and even encouraged by a member of a
political party that requires energy in the party.
Obstacles Faced by Community Organizations (CSOs) in Their Involvement with
Political Parties. While the obstacles that community organizations (CSOs) face in their
closeness to political parties are (1) The difficulty of members of community
organizations (CSOs) rejecting invitations to participate in political party activities
because they see the benefits obtained for the existence and activities of community
organizations (CSOs) (2) The difficulty of members of community organizations
(CSOs) agreeing on the form of cooperation agreements with political parties due to the
difficulty of building agreements that can be mutually supportive, especially for the
existence and activities of community organizations.(3) The space for members of
community organizations (CSOs) to convey something and other things seems to be
very limited because members of community organizations (CSOs) only function as
support and a form of security or escort in the political party.
And another thing that we find difficult to get is a form of trust from the
community towards the existence and activities of our community organization (ormas)
which may have been considered as a form of politics by the community. The birth of
community organizations (ormas) is inseparable from the history of the Indonesian
nation which provides free and open space for its people to gather together, this is
because the formation of interested groups began and then regulated more clearly into
Law No. 8 of 1985 concerning community organizations (ormas). In the history of
political parties, people first joined groups that already had certain names or identities
and then with various forms of support provided by certain parties and also supported
by the ability, power and good or qualified leadership, political parties were formed
which can be said to have more free and open space in regulating the government when
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compared to existing community organizations (ormas).
Indeed, for a person's activities in a political party to win the support of the
people, they must be able to show an attitude or form of political participation in the
community as described in the function of political parties, one of which is (Budiardjo,
2001: 163): namely political parties as a means of political socialization. Things like
political socialization are what must be carried out by political party members in
certain activities to build a good political culture in the community so that it is likely
that public trust in political parties will grow slowly and surely.
Meanwhile, the function of community organizations is also explained in Article
5 of Law Number 8 of 1985, namely: as a forum for the guidance and development of
its members in an effort to realize organizational goals. Currently, the existence of
community organizations (mass organizations) that have been licensed and recognized,
is now experiencing ups and downs as is experienced by community organizations
(mass organizations).
The existence of community organizations (ormas) can also be a supporting force
for members of political parties or political parties themselves and the existence of
community organizations (ormas) can also be said to be an additional force for political
parties and members of political parties. Seeing the existence of community
organizations (mass organizations) in the Sukawati sub-district which experienced ups
and downs, this was also due to the weak system that was built and the lack of
strategies implemented to build management structures in several existing villages,
especially in the Sukawati sub-district. However, even though the management
structure is not formed in all villages in the sub-district, the attributes of their
community organizations (ormas) can still be displayed and installed clearly on the
roadside to show their existence. With the condition of community organizations
(ormas) like this, it will usually be an advantage for some political party members who
can take advantage of the existence of these community organizations (ormas) to play a
role and participate in helping political party members to gain political support. The
activities of community organizations (CSOs) with political parties are not visible
continuously, but their movements can always be observed with activities carried out
with political parties or certain parties that require the energy of these community
organizations (CSOs), both in social activities, personal activities and activities in
political matters.
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The efforts of community organizations (CSOs) to become independent
organizations or organizations that do not take sides with any political party look very
difficult, these difficulties are seen because they are constrained by the attitudes of
political party members who always approach with various kinds of strategies that are
carried out to be able to bring community organizations (CSOs) into the activities or
activities of political parties. And with the weak system built in the community
organization (CSO), it results in the ease of strategies launched by certain parties to
enter their political strategies to members of the community organization (CSO).
Tasks and exercises
Do the following task:
1. Explain what organizational communication is?
2. Explain what is meant by Political Organization?
3. Explain the political perspectives according to Bolman (3 of them)
4. Organizational conflicts are both direct and indirect. Give an example?
5. Explain the meaning of political communication strategy?
6. Describe four political organizations asmedia in Political Communication?
Intercultural Communication as a Strategy and Tactic in Political Communication
The goal of this material is for the reader to be able to explain:
1. Definition of intercultural communication
2. Functions of intercultural communication
3. Differences between intercultural and cross-cultural communication
4. Political culture
5. Elements of intercultural communication
6. Political communication strategy
7. Categorization of political communication strategies
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Intercultural Communication as a Strategy and Tactic in Political
Communication
A.
Intercultural Communication
When there is communication between people who have different cultures, that is
where intercultural communication occurs. Stewart L. Tubis says that intercultural
communication is communication between people of different cultures. This statement
assumes that the different ways of life that develop and are adopted by a group of
people and last from generation to generation.
Intercultural Communication according to Experts:
Besides Stewart, Hamid Mowland also argues that intercultural communication as
human flow across national boundaries. The assumption is a group of people who
cross across cultures. Such as the involvement of an international conference where
nations from various countries gather and communicate with each other. In other
words, intercultural communication will occur when there is communication between
people who have different cultures in order to achieve a common communication goal
and smooth interaction in essence.
Meanwhile, according to other experts, there are opinions such as Sitaram (1970)
who says that intercultural communication is the art of understanding and mutual
understanding between audiences of different cultures.
Unlike the case with Srnover and Porter (1972) who argue that intercultural
communication occurs when the parts involved in the communication activities have
different cultural backgrounds and experiences. The background reflects the values
adopted by the group in the form of experience, knowledge, and values.
Then, Rich (1974) concluded that intercultural communication occurs when
people of different cultures are brought together. So, it can be concluded that
intercultural communication is communication that occurs when two or more people
are in the process of communicating, to achieve understanding, or understanding that
occurs between audiences with different cultures. Therefore, it is this activity that
brings harmony in communication.
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The Nature of Intercultural Communication:
The nature of intercultural communication is an activity that occurs in
communicating every individual with another individual. Either two people or more.
Thus, creating ease and understanding of all kinds of differences that exist.
Intercultural communication can essentially create harmony and togetherness. In
addition, it can also understand the sides of differences between individuals. This often
happens in Indonesia, because Indonesia is a country that has a variety of cultures. And
this difference must be supported, maintained and preserved.
In addition, in essence, intercultural communication contains intercultural
dimensions. In other words, the existence of intercultural communication has had a
positive impact on making it easier to socialize and minimize misunderstandings.
Functions of Intercultural Communication:
There are several functions of intercultural communication including:
1. Expressing Social Identity: With intercultural communication, the individual can
show their own social identity.
2. Stating Social Intergation: Intercultural communication can unite and unite the
individuals in the interaction.
3. Adding Knowledge: Intercultural communication can also provide new insights,
even insights that have never been known by the individual.
4. Relationship Interaction: In addition, intercultural communication can also create
complementary relationships as well as harmonious relationships.
In intercultural communication there are also social functions, including :
1)
Monitoring: In general, intercultural communication activities occur when
communicators and communicants are culturally different. This function is
mostly used by mass media.
2)
Bridging: Intercultural communication can also be used as a bridge for
individuals who have different cultures. Usually, different individuals or
more will convey their different perceptions.
3)
Value Socialization: Here, the function of intercultural communication is to
teach and introduce the values of another society's culture.
4)
Entertaining: Even in entertainment, there are intercultural communication
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activities. This can be found in watching dancing, singing, and even dramas
at the same time.
B.
Purpose of Intercultural Communication:
Intercultural communication occurs to reduce the level of uncertainty. As is the
case when there are two individuals who are communicating, but the two individuals
use different languages because of different cultures.
Thus, intercultural communication will act as a tool to reduce the level of
uncertainty in the logic and definition of the topic being discussed. In fact, intercultural
communication also aims as a means of communication effectiveness. So that the
information conveyed can be understood effectively, this intercultural communication
is needed.
Factors of Intercultural Communication:
This intercultural communication can occur due to several factors including:
Mobility:
Traveling from one country to another is no longer a special thing, aka, this activity has
become a common activity that is often carried out by the community. It happens
because of the lucrative business opportunities and education that guarantees. So that
there is extensive mobility and there are various cultures that converge in one region.
Economy:
Economic factors also affect intercultural communication. For example, Indonesia,
which has a developing economy, will experience dependence on countries that have a
high economic level. So, there is a transfer of work and there is a unification of
cultures in one place.
Technology:
Technology these days is growing more and more rapidly. So that technology is also
able to bring a broad culture into an area that can affect the culture of the nation.
Therefore, technology can make intercultural communication easier and more
practical. In fact, sooner or later, technology can have an impact on the occurrence of
cultural exchange on a large scale.
Immigration:
It is no longer strange that when we walk in our own homes, we see strangers around
us. This happens because of immigration activities for a purpose. Thus, there is a
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unification of cultures or commonly referred to as acculturation. Acculturation leads to
intercultural communication.
Politics:
Political interests also contribute to the emergence of intercultural communication. For
example, when the King of Arabia visited Indonesia, or vice versa, when President
Jokowi visited Australia. These state visits bring intercultural communication.
The Role of Language in Intercultural Communication:
Intercultural communication often sounds difficult to do. Because their different
cultures or lifestyles will create misunderstandings between the two individuals. So,
there needs to be something that can reduce the level of misunderstanding between the
two individuals so that there is no conflict. This can be found in both verbal and
nonverbal language.
The role of language today is a very important tool in intercultural
communication. For example, coastal people who have a strict lifestyle often speak
loudly, which can make people misinterpret. They think they are angry, but they are
not. So, language is needed here.
By using Indonesian or the national language, misunderstandings will decrease
and slowly disappear. Because, language itself can sort out which one is angry, which
one is happy, and which one is sad. And also, language is symbolic of feelings.
C.
Differences between Intercultural and Cross-Cultural Communication
Intercultural communication is something that has a general meaning in
communication between individuals who have different backgrounds or lifestyles.
However, it is often heard that intercultural communication has the same meaning as
cross-cultural communication.
In fact, cross-cultural communication itself focuses more on the differences in
communication phenomena in culture between individuals. For example, men's
communication styles are different from women's. So, there is a cross between
languages in communication between men and women. That is what is called cross-
cultural communication.
Meanwhile, intercultural communication is communication between two
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individuals who have different lifestyles or ways of life. Therefore, the difference lies
on the other side of the cross-cultural results. Then, cross-cultural communication can
be seen from the results of cross-communication.
Benefits of Studying Intercultural Communication:
In contrast to intercultural communication, which lies in a person's different
lifestyle or way of life and makes misunderstandings between individuals when
communicating. So, it is necessary to study this intercultural communication.
Because, by studying intercultural communication, you will get benefits in
communicating when you find people with different lifestyles. In order to avoid
misunderstandings and even conflicts when communicating with these people.
Then, another benefit can also be felt when we are the third person who sees two
people fighting because their communication is misunderstood. So, that's where we can
be a bridge between the two.
After all the reviews above, we already know how intercultural communication
happens. Starting from factors to the benefits of intercultural communication.
Intercultural communication is something that is familiar to us. So, it is important for
us to learn how intercultural communication is. With good and correct intercultural
communication in accordance with its essence, we as humans will reduce
misunderstandings and live in harmony with other cultures.
Intercultural communication is the exchange of information or messages that
occur between people who have different cultural backgrounds. When doing
intercultural communication, then indirectly intercultural communication provides a
very important function for everyone who does it. The function of intercultural
communication, such as:
1. State your identity
2. Stating social integration
3. Increase knowledge of other people's cultures
4. Improves interaction or relationships with others
5. Conducting cultural supervision
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6. Become a link between cultures
7. Socializing cultural values
8. Being an entertainment medium
For these various functions, intercultural communication cannot be separated
from the Ethics of Intercultural Communication, such as honesty, mutual respect,
mutual support, not demonizing other people's cultures, being sensitive to diversity,
considering all cultures important to listening to other people's opinions. In addition, in
Intercultural Communication Theory, to carry out various intercultural
communications, you must first study the existing Elements of Intercultural
Communication. These elements are:
1. Communication media
2. Giver or receiver of information
3. Message or information to be discussed
4. Knowledge of the information or message to be discussed
5. Code to feedback
6. Decoding or recording
7. Disorders.
After learning the elements of intercultural communication to the ethics of its use,
the next stage before conducting intercultural communication is to know the purpose of
the communication.
The general purpose of intercultural communication is:
1.
Reducing Uncertainty
Similar to the purpose of other types of communication, intercultural
communication also aims to reduce uncertainty by Overcoming Communication Gaps
that may occur. Because this communication will be carried out by people with
different cultural backgrounds, reducing uncertainty is very necessary for the
communication process to be effective and provide benefits.
2.
Creating Effective Communication
As we know that to create an effective communication process, communication
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must use how to communicate well and follow every stage of communication. When
communication is carried out by people with different cultural backgrounds, for
example Acehnese with Javanese, then to create effective communication, the use of
regional language must be replaced by using Indonesian.
3.
Conducive Environment::
Sometimes, environmental influences can be a trigger for divisions. Divisions can
come because of cultural differences, religious differences or beliefs to ethnic or racial
differences. Therefore, intercultural communication also aims to conducive the
environment. Environmental influences in Intercultural Communication that are bad
and negative must be able to be eliminated and conducive so that unwanted things do
not happen. The intercultural communication model commonly used for this purpose is
the cultural dimension model or intercultural communication that is carried out and
based on the situation and conditions.
4.
Influencing Social Life:
The next goal of intercultural communication is to influence social life towards a
better and more positive direction. The influence of intercultural communication in
social life will provide a good reaction or effect for the sustainability of life in an area.
This one goal is very important to use in Indonesia, which is very pluralistic and
different. Just imagine when intercultural communication is not able to influence the
lives of 714 tribes in Indonesia, then maybe Indonesia will be destroyed to pieces
because of civil wars caused by cultural differences.
5.
Cultural Acculturation:
The definition of cultural acculturation is a process carried out to combine one
culture with another culture where from the fusion a new culture will emerge without
deleting or eliminating the original culture. In Indonesia, the process of intercultural
communication acculturation can be seen in many places, where the culture brought by
religious propagators combines with local culture and creates a new religious culture.
For example, the Arabic culture that was brought into Indonesia gave rise to a
new culture in the lives of Indonesian Muslims. For example, Muslim communities
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continue to use their original culture such as speaking Javanese or Sundanese but also
use Arabic culture such as the use of turbans, caps, headscarves, veils, and so on.
6.
Cultural Inculturation
If cultural acculturation is a combination of outside culture with native culture
without eliminating the characteristics of the original culture, then cultural inculturation
incorporates the characteristics of a culture into the culture of others. For example,
Sunan Kali Jaga was spreading Islam. At that time, the sunan requested that every
recitation first play the gamelan and put the gamelan in front of the mosque door. This
is where the process of incorporating other cultural characteristics into other cultures
occurs, in this example is religion. This purpose of intercultural communication is still
often encountered in Cross-Cultural Communication, for example, jaipong dance but
accompanied by musical instruments from Betawi.
7.
Removing Barriers
Intercultural communication also aims to eliminate various barriers that may exist
in an area. Some barriers to cross-cultural communication, for example, are the
construction of houses of worship in a place, because they are considered disturbing,
they are finally rejected. This certainly should not happen, because the law clearly
regulates freedom of religion, for this reason intercultural communication is needed as
a means of mediation and eliminating these obstacles.
8.
Expanding Relationships:
The context of cross-cultural communication is of course to establish good
relations with other cultures. Therefore, intercultural communication also aims to
expand relationships between people of different cultural backgrounds. The trick is to
communicate the entire existing context and seek mutual agreement, in order to create
this goal.
9.
Streamlining Cross-Cultural Business
Intercultural communication also aims to facilitate cross-cultural business. For
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example, when a Javanese cultured person wants to do Cross-Cultural Business
Communication with a person of Javanese culture. Karo or Malay, then the
communication carried out certainly aims to facilitate Javanese cultural people to do
their business in the territory of Karo or Malay cultural people.
10.
Increase Knowledge
The next goal is to provide additional knowledge for people who do intercultural
communication. For example, in a cultural discussion forum, when Papuan culture is
raised and discussed, Javanese or Sundanese people will understand and become more
knowledgeable about Papuan culture. Likewise, when, for example, culture or dances
from regions in North Sumatra are raised, people from other regions outside North
Sumatra will have additional knowledge of culture in North Sumatra. (read also:
Impact of Communication Errors in Management)
11.
Understanding other cultures:
Intercultural communication aims to provide understanding to enable a person to
understand other cultures. When the person does not understand the culture he sees,
then he will consciously and responsively find out the culture he sees. In other words,
the person will be enabled to experiment, search for information to preserve his own
culture and the culture of others.
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12.
Affects Affective or Cognitive traits
Another goal of intercultural communication is to influence someone who has an
Affective and Cognitive nature in the hope that it will create a sense of mutual trust,
mutual respect and mutual strengthening despite different cultures. The trick is to
provide sensitivity so that the person can have a stimulus to find out the truth and
sources of information so that he will understand that his culture has a bias and other
cultures also have a bias, thus creating harmonious and lasting interactions.
13.
Expanding Cultural Horizons:
Expanding cultural horizons in intercultural communication is to bring out one's
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empathy and concern for other people's cultures. That way, the person will have the
attitude and willingness to maintain and maintain the culture even though the culture is
not his own. This one goal is certainly very necessary, because it indirectly teaches us
to respect and protect each other instead of berating each other.
14.
Regional Demographics
Demography is a science that studies an area occupied by humans and includes
the structure, size, number of inhabitants to how population behavior ranging from
death, birth, migration to culture, ethnicity, religion, to race. When conducting
intercultural communication using the science of regional demography, one will
immediately know the culture that exists in that area. By studying this demography, the
goal is to make it easier for someone who wants to go to an area.
15.
Facing Technological Change:
Intercultural communication also aims to prepare people for technological
change. This one goal will try to protect every citizen of the culture in order to avoid
the influence of negative technological changes. That way even though the
development of communication technology in Indonesia is very rapid, its people will
still be able to control themselves.
16.
Facing the era of globalization:
Changes in the era of globalization that not only occur in technology, but also
occur in lifestyles, economics and cultural changes must certainly be addressed
properly. For this reason, intercultural communication also aims to protect people from
changes in the era of globalization. As we know together that, with the rapid changes
today, many people no longer care about the people around them. For this reason,
intercultural communication must and still needs to be done, so that these changes do
not develop further towards the negative.
17.
Providing Learning:
Intercultural communication also aims to provide learning in the world of education,
because in the world of education there are many different cultures. With the learning
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provided through intercultural communication, it is hoped that readers or students will
understand each other and be able to tolerate each other despite their different cultures.
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D.
Political Culture
"Culture is communication and communication is culture" is an idiom from
anthropologists that has a broad and deep meaning, meaning that culture cannot be
created without communication in a society and conversely communication will not
exist without cultural life in it. Political culture and political socialization are the
approaches of political science, communication science and anthropology in reading
this phenomenon. Research from the United States conducted by Gabriel A. Almond
and Sydney Verba as outlined in the book "Political Culture", is the result of a study
between political culture and political socialization 1969 to 1970 on 5000 respondents
spread across 5 countries: America United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico and
West Germany.
The results of the study suggest that political culture means the tendency of
individual behavior towards the political system that applies in the country. In the
political culture approach, individuals are the main subject of study and are empirical,
so they are taken from the opinions of individuals. As for the political philosophy
approach, it is more abstract because opinions are built by someone without first seeing
field facts, or at least, through a series of studies involving many people. Political
culture is the way individuals think, feel and act towards the political system and the
parts in it, including attitudes towards the political system their own role in the political
system. Individual orientation / tendency towards the political system according to
Tumija Adipawira Wordpress, is divided into three parts, namely: Cognitive, Affective,
and Evaluative Orientation.
Cognitive orientation is knowledge. How individuals know the rights and duties
of citizens in the constitution, how individuals know the procedures for elections, how
individuals know political parties and their activities, how individuals know the
behavior of their leaders through the mass media, are examples of this cognitive
orientation. These knowledges are not fixed. Knowledge increases or remains in line
with the influences from the environment surrounding the individual.
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Affective orientation is different from cognitive orientation because it operates in the
context of feelings. Feelings such as being cared for, benefiting, feeling fair,
prosperous, liking or disliking, or the like, are often more decisive than knowledge
factors. For this reason, many state leaders issue populist policies to boost the affective
aspects of citizens. In Indonesia , policies such as Direct Cash Transfer, Askeskin, Gas
Stove Distribution, and the like aim to change the affective orientation of its citizens.
The end goal is for people to feel cared for by political leaders, and they will vote for
the aid providers in the future.
Evaluative orientation is a mixture of cognitive and affective orientation in the
form of decision/action. For example, after knowing that party A or B really voices
what they want, individuals vote for them in an election. Another case is if a group of
individuals hold a rally in support of a candidate who is being 'attacked' by his political
opponents, simply because they feel they know and know a little about the identity of
the politician in question. Evalutive orientation arises due to the influence of cognitive
and affective orientations.
E.
Political Communication Strategy
Communication strategy is a concept that is widely adopted from various
economic sciences, politics or commonly found in military terms in warfare, but the
word "strategy" refers to a set of components or elements in communication that are
very specific based on the context at hand to achieve communication success or
effectiveness.
Thus communication strategies in one context or a situation, will not be exactly
the same can be applied in other contexts. However, the role and function of
communication strategy in an institution or communication activity is very important to
achieve the expected goals. In general Thompson (2001) describes the elements of
communication strategy as follows: First, the organization's vision or perspective must
be owned and used as a reference in further organizing communication activities.
Second, establishing a series of plans derived from the vision and mission, proper
planning also departs from a series of data and information found.
Third, establishing tactics, which are practical steps that must be taken, taking
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into account internal capabilities as well as the situation or circumstances.
field.
Fourth, placing the position or position of the organization and communication
program in the context of the environment at hand, including placing various
communication components such as communicators, sources, messages and targets;
Fifth. is to arrange a pattern of communication activities, so that the strategy
becomes clear and can be followed or carried out by all communication actors.
Specific political communication strategies related to political party participation are
difficult to determine, therefore, the diversity of internal conditions and the local
cultural environment.
For this reason, the organization, message content, language and appearance of
symbols to be conveyed, must consider the effects that will be produced. As
communicators, political parties must be selective in transmitting or rejecting a
message, repeating or repeating a message. summarize the message in order to make
the right decision for the interlocutor.
This communication strategy also considers all related communication elements,
as further stated by Applbaum & Anatol there are various interrelationship models that
depend on how the situation of the reciprocal relationship between the elements that
exist in the communication event. The relationship of the communication components
include:
(1)
The source-receiver relationship is a relationship determined by the purpose of the
communication activity;
(2)
The source-environment relationship, refers to the social, political and cultural
effects on the source in a given communication situation;
(3)
The receiver-environment relationship, refers to the social, political and cultural
effects on a set of psychological states in the receiver;
(4)
The receiver-message relationship, refers to the communication effects on the
receiver caused by the form, content and presentation of the message.
Categorization of Political Communication Strategies:
Basically, UU KIP has three main axes, namely: Transparency, Participation and
Accountability. Political parties in this case are important public institutions related to
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the implementation of UU KIP. In essence, all elements of political parties understand
the public's right to obtain the widest possible information from political parties, both
in terms of programs, recruitment systems, and in terms of budgets. However, it
appears that the political parties themselves have not socialized the existence of the
KIP Law no. 14 of 2008.
This is evident from the fact that almost all respondents in this study did not know
the exact contents of UU KIP No. 14/2008. If even the top party leaders do not know
the contents of the Freedom of Information Law, how about the administrators and
other cadres?
The facts on the ground also show that the words "openness" and "transparency"
for many circles in political parties are still multi-interpretations. Political
Communication Strategies to Constituents In political communication strategies in all
political parties that are both objects and subjects in this study, all political parties still
use traditional communication channels such as recitation, religious holiday meetings,
personal approaches, mass approach. Especially for the Golkar Party, mass
organizations that are loyal to the Golkar Party are still the mainstay and backbone in
building political communication.
Political Culture and Political Communication Culture:
In the parochial type of political culture, an individual's attachment to a political
system is not very strong, either cognitively or affectively. In this type of political
culture, there are no specific political roles.
Individuals do not expect any change from the political system. This is because
individuals do not feel that they are part of a nation as a whole. Individuals only feel
that they are bound by the power that is close to them, such as tribe, religion, or region.
In subject political culture, the level is higher than parochial because individuals feel
that they are part of the citizens of a country. Individuals with a political culture feel
that they are subjects who pay enough attention to politics but are passive. They often
follow political news but are not proud of it, in the sense that they do not feel
emotionally involved with their country. When they are talking about politics, there
tends to be a feeling of discomfort because they do not trust others blindly. At the other
end, when dealing with state institutions they feel weak and helpless. The subject
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political culture is prevalent in countries that have strong governments but are
authoritarian or totalitarian in nature.
Whereas in participatory political culture, this is at a higher level. In a
participatory political culture, individuals understand that they are citizens who have a
number of rights and obligations. For example, the right to express opinions, obtain
jobs, income, education, and on the other hand the obligation to, for example, pay
taxes. In a participatory political culture, people often and freely discuss political
issues. They feel that, to a certain extent, they can influence the course of the country's
politics.
They feel free and able to establish political organizations to either protest or
support the government. If they did not establish a political organization, they joined
many voluntary organizations, either political or not. When they participate in
elections, they are quite proud. Participatory political culture is particularly prevalent in
countries with high levels of prosperity and justice.
Rarely does a participatory political culture exist in countries that are still
authoritarian, totalitarian or economically backward.
If observed carefully and from the results of this study, it seems that the political
culture that occurs in Indonesia includes these three cultural strata. Some Indonesians
are still parochial, where neither political interest nor political ties are strong. However,
their political ties are strong with those in power who are close to them tribally,
religiously and regionally. Religious, regional and tribal political issues are still "thick"
in practical politics in Indonesia.
This parochial culture has even become the main issue of several religious-based
political parties. Even in Aceh, there are already parties that carry regional issues such
as the Aceh Party.
Meanwhile, the current subject political culture afflicts many circles. The
passivity of many circles is not due to political pressure that makes them passive, but
rather due to the many disappointments of the community towards the political process
in Indonesia which has caused many circles to be very apathetic towards politics.
This is evidenced by the large number of floating masses in local elections in several
regions and the decline in the level of political participation in elections.
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Interestingly, most Indonesians have also embraced a culture of participatory
politics, often and freely discussing political issues. They feel that, to a certain degree,
they can influence the course of the country's politics.
They also feel free and able to establish political organizations either to protest or
support the government. So it can be said, political culture and political
communication in Indonesia still occur in these three cultural strata.
Duties:
Answer the following questions:
1. Explain the definition of intercultural communication
2. What is the function of intercultural communication
3. What is the difference between intercultural and cross-cultural communication
4. Explain the definition and meaning of political culture
5. Describe the elements of intercultural communication
6. Explain political communication strategy
7. Explain the categorization of political communication strategies
