Visualizing Politics in Indonesia: The Design and Distribution of Election Posters

Authors

  • Colm A. Fox Singapore Management University

Keywords:

visual communications, election posters, election campaigns, democracy, electoral systems, Indonesia

Abstract

Where studies have shown that visuals are the primary means of political communication, research continues to focus largely on text-based information. To add to our understanding of visual-political communications, this article analyses Indonesian election posters since the 1950s. Drawing on historical materials and on a content analysis of 4,000 election posters, it asks why election posters have been designed and distributed in particular ways. Findings indicate that in the past, posters used singular, though powerful, social symbols to mobilize demographic groups behind political parties. However, contemporary posters are more visually complex and more candidate-centered, making arguments as to what the candidates represent. Furthermore, although the wide distribution of posters has always been used to signify strength, the number of posters has proliferated in recent elections. These trends can be explained by underlying social forces, advances in technology, institutional reforms, and the identities and types of parties and candidates.

Author Biography

Colm A. Fox, Singapore Management University

Colm A. Fox is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Singapore Management University. His research focuses on democracy, elections, the media, and identity politics in Asia. His work has been published in international peer-reviewed journals such as Comparative Political Studies, Journalism Studies, and Democratization. 

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Published

2022-08-19

Issue

Vol. 16 (2022)

Section

Articles

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