Political Infrastructure and Superstructure

This paper is made to fulfill the assignment of the Introduction to Political course.
Lecture:
Jamroji, S.Sos, M.Comms.

Written By:
Anggita Astri Mahadewi 202210040311010
Moh. Alvian Efendi 202210040311018
Iqbal Avriellyan Azzura 202210040311039

COMMUNICATION SCIENCE STUDY PROGRAM

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
2022/2023
 PREFACE

First of all, our gratitude goes to God Almighty for His blessings and grace so that we
can complete the task of making a political paper entitled "Political Infrastructure and
Superstructure". This paper was made in order to fulfill the assignment of the Introduction to
Political course and to deepen knowledge about political material. On the occasion of making
this paper, we do not forget to express our gratitude to Mr. Jamroji, S.Sos, M.Comms. As the
lecturer in charge of the course Introduction to Politic. We compile this paper from various
online sources. In writing this paper we feel that there are still shortcomings, both in technical
writing and material. Hopefully this paper is useful for readers, therefore criticism and
suggestions from all parties are constructive. and suggestions from all parties that are
constructive are highly expected to achieve perfection in making the next paper. That's all the
author would like to thank to those who have contributed. May God Almighty. always bless
our efforts. Amen.

Malang, November 29th, 2022

Writer’s

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

PREFACE............................................................................................................................................ii
TABLE OF CONTENT......................................................................................................................iii
CHAPTER I.........................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER II.......................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Interest Groups..........................................................................................................................2
2.2 Presssure Group........................................................................................................................3
2.3 Executive Agency.......................................................................................................................4
2.4 Representative Agency..............................................................................................................5
2.5 Auxiliary institutions.................................................................................................................6
2.6 Judicial Institution.....................................................................................................................7
CHAPTER III......................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8
BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................................................................................9

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 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background

The structure of a country can be divided into two, namely the political superstructure
and political infrastructure. Both have very clear differences, but they also serve an equally
important function. The superstructure and political infrastructure are related and attached to
one another. The superstructure is capable of managing everything in the infrastructure for
the sake of achieving the goals of the political infrastructure itself. And vice versa,
infrastructure can affect the operation of the superstructure.

The political superstructure is everything that relates to the state apparatus. The state
apparatus includes position, power, authority, formation tasks and the interrelationships
between all the state apparatus.

The superstructure and political infrastructure consist of interest groups, pressure

groups, executive agency, representative agency, judicial institution, auxiliary institution

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 CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL STUDY

2.1 Interest Groups

Interest groups are often defined as, a group of persons who share a common
cause, which puts them into political competition with other groups of interests (Benditt
1975:34). Based on this definition, the function of interest groups is limited to the
aggregation and articulation of interests. They are organized groups with common goals
that actively seek to influence government (Janda, Berry, & Goldman 1997). In other
words, their goal is simply to try to "influence" the government's policy-making process
to suit the wishes of the group it represents. Therefore, when compared with the
functions of political parties, it is somewhat different and narrower. As defined by
Giovanni Sartori, political parties as, any political group that presents at elections, and
is capable of placing through elections, candidates for public offices (1984:64). Based on
this definition, political parties actually deliberately aim to place their representatives in
government, or to gain positions in government.
There are various types of interest groups operating in society, in which they seek
to influence government policy. As non-governmental players, they can be: Professional
groups, labor unions, traders, entrepreneurs, religious organizations, trade unions, student
union organizations, company associations, universities, ethnic-based organizations,
regions, descent (dynasty), and others.
Interest groups can be divided into two, namely: first, private interest groups; and
second, public interest groups. Private interest groups are interest groups that try to fight
for the interests of the members they represent (certain groups) in the context of public
life, such as: lawyers, doctors, accountants, lecturers, teachers, judges, and other
professional groups, including workers or laborers. Also in this context are the interests
of producers in certain business fields. While public interest groups are interest groups
that are more oriented towards influencing the government to take certain actions that
benefit the public interest as a whole, rather than its members. Examples of this type of
interest group are social movements advocating environmental issues, education, mining,
women, employment, corruption, violence, human trafficking, consumers and so on.

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2.2 Presssure Group
Pressure Group is organizations with a plan to campaign or induce government or
businesses to alter behavior, arrangements, choices, or take action on a specific issue. A
few individuals may allude to their organizations as campaign bunches and intrigued
bunches to dodge negative assiliations and recognitions almost their organization.
Pressure groups usually have relatively limited members. Meanwhile, in their operations,
they usually have a constitution to guide all group activities and member behavior.
Pressure groups and political parties have differences. Political parties consist of
individuals with the same political ideology and join to form organized voluntary groups.
While, pressure group consist of like-minded people who seek to promote and campaign
for a common cause, possibly related to members or the public.
There are many examples of pressure groups. They can be local or national
organizations. Others may have a wider reach and operate internationally to voice their
aspirations to governments or businesses in different countries. The following are
examples of pressure groups:
 Amnesty International, focuses primarily on human rights issues, strongly
opposes and campaigns for an end to human rights abuses.
 Greenpeace, focuses on environmental issues and campaigns for
environmental protection and sustainability with a voice for climate change,
biodiversity, and renewable energy.
 Fairtrade Foundation, aims to promote justice for farmers and workers in
developing countries by promoting changes in the way trade works, such as
through fairer trade deals, better prices, and decent working conditions.

Although they do not seek power and participate directly in elections, the role and
function of pressure groups cannot be underestimated. Here are some of them:
 Raise attention to issues such as social and environmental by voicing them out
and trying to get governments and businesses to change their policies.
 Help educate citizens, especially members, about government policies and
programs related to issues they raise, such as human rights.
 Increase political education and citizen awareness through pressure group
activities, encouraging them to develop constructive criticism.

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 Increase political education and citizen awareness through pressure group
activities, encouraging them to develop constructive criticism:
 Government policies and regulations are related to the issues they raise.
 Business policies and practices, for example, are related to how companies
balance profit goals with two other aspects: people and planet (triple bottom
line).
 Changing consumer behavior and habits, for example by encouraging them to
buy environmentally friendly products.

2.3 Executive Agency

A permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is
responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions. Examples of
executive agency consist of:
A. Independent Agencies
Independent executive agencies operate as regulatory and service agencies to oversee
federal government functions. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is an
example of an executive agency, and acts as an outpost of the executive government to
regulate communications technology and media in the U.S. In the United States
federal government, Congress and the President have the ability to delegate authority
to independent executive agencies, sometimes called federal agencies or
administrative agencies. However, executive agencies have to remain nonpartisan.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is one of many
independent executive agencies.
B. Making Policy
The executive and legislative branches of the United States pass and enforce laws.
However, the actual development and implementation of policies are under the
purview of different bureaucratic institutions mainly comprised cabinet departments,
independent executive agencies, government corporations, and regulatory agencies.
The remaining government organizations within the executive branch outside of the
presidency are independent executive agencies. Some agencies, such as the U.S.
Differentiate between cabinet departments, independent executive agencies,
government corporation, and regulatory agencies in making policy
C. Regalating Executive Branch Lobbyists

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 Lobbying the Executive Branch is similar to any other branch of the U.S. government
and is regulated by laws pertaining to disclosure. Complexity encouraged more
specialized lobbying, often with more than one agency affected by any one piece of
legislation. Executive branch agencies added a new layer of rule-making to
congressional legislation. However, it is true that
many executive branch agencies have the power to write specific rules and are a target
of lobbying. Federal agencies, like the State Department, make rules to give aid
money to countries like Egypt.

2.4 Representative Agency

A person assigned by a primary, assisting, or cooperating federal, state, local,
or tribal government agency or private entity that has been delegated authority to
make decisions affecting that agencies or organization’s participation in incident
management activities following appropriate consultation with the leadership of that
agency. Area: The lands in a described geographic area that are managed and/or
protected by the Parties within this Agreement. Paul Christopher Manuel and Anne
Maria Camissa explained, that the main function of a people's representative
institution is the function of making laws (UU). In carrying out these legislative
functions, members of the people's representative institutions carry out a series of
activities until the law is passed. The functions of representative institutions are as
follows:
A. Legislation
The main function in this representative institution is the regulatory
function
or legislature. This representative institution is also often referred to as
legislative power. Legislative power is a branch of power that first reflects
the sovereignty of the people. Therefore, the authority to enact regulations
must first be given to the people's representative body or parliament or
legislature.
B. Control
the control function that is obligatory for representative institutions to keep
the wheels of government running axis and prioritize the welfare of the
people without violating legal realm in it. People's representative

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 institutions are given authority to exercise control in three respects, there
are:
1. Control of Executive
2. Control of expenditure
3. Control of Taxation

C. Deliberative Functions and Conflict Resolution

In carrying out regulatory, supervisory and representative functions, in
parliament or the legislature there is always debate between members
representing groups and interests, each of whom has different
considerations in understanding and responding to a problem. The
deliberative function and conflict resolution in representative institutions
are:
1) Public debate in the context of run the show and approach making.
2) Debate in the context of carrying out supervision.
3) Channel diverse aspirations and interests.

2.5 Auxiliary institutions

The emergence of supporting or auxiliary state institutions, mostly functioning as
supervisors of the performance of existing state institutions and is a form of distrust of
existing supervisory institutions. This is part of a crisis of confidence in all enforcement
agencies, for example the establishment of the KPK through UU no. 30/2002.For
example, because the existing government institutions, both the prosecutor's office and
the police, have not functioned effectively and efficiently in dealing with corruption. The
presence of various state auxiliary institutions has marked the transition to democracy.
Currently, more than 20 auxiliary state institutions have been formed. This number is
predicted to increase in the future. The formation of auxiliary state institutions is carried
out according to a different legal basis. Some are based on the 1945 Constitution,
including the Judicial Commission and General Elections Commission, and some are
based on laws, such as the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission. However, along the
way, this demand has not only created institutions that are deemed capable of responding
to needs, but has also had a negative effect, namely creating friction or conflict between

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 them. For example, Komnas HAM and the DPR when determining whether a case
constitutes a human rights violation or not.

2.6 Judicial Institution

Judicial institutions are formed by the state as part of the state authority in the field of
judicial power with the legal sources being the applicable laws and regulations.
Judiciary is a process carried out by institutions that are given the authority to decide,
examine, hear, and resolve cases in accordance with applicable law. Judicial institutions
are related to judicial powers which are classified according to their functions.
Judicial institutions are contained in various laws and regulations to serve as
guidelines for judicial institutions in carrying out their duties and authorities as
institutions that exercise judicial power freely without any intervention from other
parties.

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 CHAPTER III

CLOSING

3.1 Conclusion
The state is a form of life in large groups with a large number of members so that it
can be classified into the type of "secondary group". State life as a form of group life has
similarities with other forms of life such as villages, forests, and others. There are two
kinds of characteristics of the state as a form of social life that are not shared by other
forms of social life that are not the state, namely (1) the state has higher power than other
forms of social life, (2) the state has a higher position higher than other forms of social
intercourse. Therefore, in running its government, the Indonesian government has a
constitution that contains structures of power. According to the description above, the
existing structures carry out their respective duties. All parts of the government must
work properly so that a country achieves goals that are in line with the expectations of its
people. In fact, the essence of the state is an organization of power, which was created by
a group of people, this organization has an authority that can impose its will on everyone
covered by that organization to maintain the interests and organize the welfare of its
citizens. Thus, from the past until now, the human aspiration to become a state has been
to translate the interests of the people into law so that a just and prosperous life can be
achieved.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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