Meritocracy and the Political Reality in Indonesia: An Analysis of the Gap Between Competence and Political Practice

Abstract

Meritocracy is a principle that bases the recruitment and distribution of political positions on competence, capacity, and achievement. However, in Indonesian political practice, there remains a gap between the ideal of meritocracy and the reality of patronage, oligarchy, transactional politics, and the dominance of capital and popularity. This study aims to analyze how meritocracy is understood and implemented in Indonesian political dynamics, identify the factors that cause the gap between competence and political practice, and examine its implications for the quality of democracy and governance. The study uses a qualitative, narrative approach, analyzing various scientific articles, books, and other relevant literature sources. Data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and the drawing and verification of conclusions. While the validity of interpretations is strengthened through theoretical triangulation. The results show that although meritocracy has become part of the discourse on political reform, its implementation still faces various structural and cultural obstacles that prevent competence from fully becoming a primary factor in the political process. This condition impacts the quality of leadership, government effectiveness, and the strengthening of substantive democracy. Therefore, strengthening the political cadre system, promoting transparency in recruitment, and fostering a capacity-based political culture are important steps toward encouraging more professional, accountable, and public-interest-oriented governance.