Political Education in Local Communities: Challenges and Practices of Political in Sorong

Abstract

Political education plays a significant role in strengthening citizens’ political awareness,
participation, and understanding of democratic processes. This study aims to examine the practices of
political education conducted by political parties in local communities and to identify the challenges
affecting its implementation in Sorong Regency, Indonesia. The study employed a descriptive qualitative
approach involving two political parties, namely the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Berkarya Party.
Data were collected through interviews with selected informants using purposive sampling and analyzed
descriptively to identify patterns related to political education practices, community participation, and
implementation barriers. The findings indicate that political education at the local level has not been
implemented optimally. PAN’s political education activities were primarily directed toward party cadres,
while educational activities targeting the broader community remained limited. Meanwhile, the Berkarya
Party emphasized public outreach concerning political participation and the prevention of money politics.
Both parties encountered challenges, particularly declining public trust, transactional political attitudes, and
limited commitment among political actors. The study demonstrates that political parties need to transform
political education from predominantly internal and electoral activities into a more inclusive, continuous,
and community-oriented learning process. Such an approach may strengthen political literacy, encourage
meaningful civic participation, and contribute to the development of a more democratic political culture in
local communities.