Effects of Political Predispositions, Media Use, and Media Evaluation on Policy Malaise among Indonesian and German People

Authors

Irma Garnesia, Technische Universität Ilmenau, GermanyFollow

Abstract

This study explores a comparative analysis of Germany and Indonesia in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of addressing cross-cultural dimensions in global health crises—a field that remains underexplored. By enhancing preparedness for future emergencies, the research critically examines whether theoretical assumptions developed in Global North contexts can be meaningfully extended to Global South settings. Specifically, this study hypothesizes that political predispositions, media use, and media evaluation are associated with policy malaise, and investigates these associations in light of cross-cultural differences. Using data from Germany (n = 1,458) and Indonesia (n = 1,043), the findings reveal significant differences between the two nations in the prevalence of political predispositions, media consumption habits, media evaluations, and levels of policy malaise. Further analysis demonstrates that while assumptions developed and tested within Global North contexts are partially applicable to Global South settings, the observed effect sizes vary. Finally, the study situates its results within the distinct cultural and political contexts of each nation, offering a nuanced critique of how social constructs shape policy perceptions in non-Western societies.

Bahasa Abstract

Studi ini berusaha membandingkan evaluasi masyarakat Jerman dan Indonesia dalam penanganan pandemi Covid-19 pemerintah. Peneliti ingin ini menekankan pentingnya memperhatikan dimensi lintas budaya dalam krisis kesehatan global—sebuah bidang yang masih kurang diteliti. Dengan tujuan meningkatkan kesiapsiagaan terhadap krisis internasional di masa depan, penelitian ini mengkaji bagaimana asumsi teoretis yang dikembangkan dalam konteks mayoritas global dapat diterapkan di lingkup selatan global. Secara khusus, studi ini berhipotesis bahwa kecenderungan politik, penggunaan media, dan evaluasi media memiliki hubungan dengan rasa ketidakpuasan masyarakat terhadap kebijakan pandemi, dan melihat hubungan tersebut dalam kerangka perbedaan lintas budaya. Menggunakan data dari Jerman (n = 1.458) dan Indonesia (n = 1.043), hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya perbedaan signifikan antara kedua negara dalam hal prevalensi kecenderungan politik, kebiasaan konsumsi media, evaluasi media, dan tingkat ketidakpuasan terhadap kebijakan. Analisis lebih lanjut mengungkapkan bahwa meskipun asumsi yang dikembangkan dan diuji dalam konteks mayoritas global masih dapat diterapkan di konteks selatan global, efek dari variabel yang diamati bervariasi. Penelitian ini berusaha mengkontekstualisasikan hasil penelitian dengan menempatkan konteks budaya dan politik yang khas dari masing-masing negara serta menawarkan kritik yang mendalam tentang bagaimana konstruksi sosial yang dibentuk dengan persepsi Barat berlaku di negara non-Barat.

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Recommended Citation

Garnesia, Irma (2025) "Effects of Political Predispositions, Media Use, and Media Evaluation on Policy Malaise among Indonesian and German People," JURNAL KOMUNIKASI INDONESIA: Vol. 14: No. 1, Article 7.
DOI: 10.7454/jkmi.v14i1.1307
Available at: https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/jkmi/vol14/iss1/7