A Stage for Social Identity Induction

The outcome of the Jakarta gubernatorial election highlights the effectiveness of social identity-based bonds in influencing voters. Under such conditions, a rational choice based on a candidate’s performance or program is not the biggest determinant.

This reflected consistently in several surveys during the Jakarta gubernatorial election. The latest survey, Kompas’ exit poll, verified that fact. The proportion of votes for each candidate mostly refers to similarity in social identity, mainly religious and ethnic background, between voters and the candidates.

The victory of Anies Rasyid Baswedan and Sandiaga S Uno was a real-world example. Votes for this pair came mostly from voters who think Anies-Sandi best represent their identity. The exit poll showed that similarity of religion and ethnicity between voters and candidates are the biggest reason. Those who voted for Anies-Sandi based their choice on such reason. Other issues, such as the intellectuality, high education and personality of Anies-Sandi, were the second consideration.Meanwhile, voters did not really take the candidate’s performance or program into their consideration.