Politik Pembangunan Jalan Raya di Kawasan Liang Melas Datas, Kabupaten Karo Tahun 2022-2023

Abstract

This study analyzes the political dynamics surrounding the road construction in Liang Melas Datas (LMD), Karo Regency, during the 2022–2023 period. Unlike conventional development planning mechanisms that typically adhere to formal procedures, the political process behind the LMD road construction exhibits a non-conventional pattern, characterized by the interaction between community political aspirations and government responses. To examine this phenomenon, the study employs the concepts of politics, development, and the theory of political development as its primary analytical framework. This research adopts a qualitative approach with a case study method, aiming to explore in depth how the political dynamics of development in LMD unfold. The case study method enables an in-depth investigation of specific phenomena within a particular context by collecting detailed data through various techniques over a certain period. Data collection is conducted comprehensively, drawing from multiple sources, including observations, interviews, audiovisual materials, documents, reports, and other relevant materials. The findings reveal that the road construction in LMD is not merely an infrastructure project but part of a broader political dynamic. The project did not take place in a neutral space; rather, it resulted from the convergence of grassroots aspirations—mobilized through sustained social movements—and Joko Widodo’s political interests within the framework of his strategy as a popular leader. This process illustrates how public demands can be accommodated in government policies when they align with the populist political strategies pursued by Jokowi.