A vehicle called the Satire Party about the politician moved to the boat

By: Mustamin Raga, Author of Sound Book from the Hug of Fog

In this country, the phrase “Political Party is only a vehicle” has long been a kind of public joke. Initially, he was born as a satire, ridicule of the behavior of politicians who often treat parties such as rental carts. However, more and more, the joke is increasingly incarnated. There is no more shame when a politician lightly said: “The party is only a vehicle, the important thing is to reach the destination.”

The language sounds like a joke, but in fact it is a grave for ideology. Because, if it is true that the party is only a vehicle, then we can easily exchange buses on a motorcycle, or exchange carts with luxury cars, as needed. In fact, on paper and in the conception of democracy, political parties are not merely vehicles, but houses of ideas, ideological schools, and a forum for struggle.

To understand how serious this issue is, we need to turn a moment to turn into the history and nature of political parties. Maurice Duverger, a political scientist from France who examined a lot of parties, said: “Parties are not just organizations for winning electors; they are schools of thought, Vehicles of Ideology, and Institutions of Democracy.”
(The party is not only an organization to win the election; they are schools of thought, vehicle ideology, and democratic institutions).

Look at the statement: the party can indeed be called a vehicle, but a vehicle for ideology, not a vehicle for personal ambitions. This difference is thin, but therein lies our fall.
At the beginning of the 20th century, political parties were born as articulation of struggle. In Indonesia, nationalist, Islamic, and left parties, all bring big ideals. The party is not only a flag, but a belief that is fought for with blood and tears.