Politics of Entrepreneurship

Study of the Role of Nusantara Gilang Gemilang in Shaping Businessmen and Politicians in Malang Raya in the 2024 Legislative Election

Abstract

Democracy provides an open space for all citizens to be involved and participate in electoral political activities, such as elections. This openness allows entrepreneurs to also be directly involved in practical political activities. Previously, many entrepreneurs were supporters of legislative candidates and officials in the executive. This is because political campaigns require large funds, including the cost of installing campaign equipment, organizing events, advertising in the media, and operational costs of the campaign team. This causes many prospective legislative members, especially those who do not have strong economic support, to hope for assistance from third parties, namely entrepreneurs. Now entrepreneurs are no longer political players behind the scenes, but have become political actors on the front stage. According to the political economy theory of legislators put forward by Kenneth A. Shepsle and Barry R. Weingast (1981), which states that legislators behave rationally to maximize their personal interests in the political world. This study expands the theory about the existence of entrepreneurs, after entering the world of politics, can use the assets and networks they have for electoral victory, starting from recognition (popularity, likeability), to electability). This is also a theoretical novelty in this study. In addition, there is also a practical novelty, namely the role of the Nusantara Gilang Gemilang (NGG) organization in forming entrepreneur-politicians who become legislative members in the 2024 Election. This research is a qualitative study, data collection techniques are carried out by in-depth interviews with various main informants and supporting informants consisting of the founders and administrators of the NGG mass organization, legislative candidates, winning teams and candidate volunteers, and voters. To obtain valid data, cross-checking (triangulation) is carried out on the informants and data submitted. This is done with a variety of informants interviewed in each informant group. This research was conducted for one year, starting in 2024 to mid-2025. To support validity of the research, also displayed documents in the form of photographs of research activities, and photographs related to the object of research. This research contributes to the theory of political economy, and practically contributes to general election policies, especially Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections, especially in the article on financing legislative candidates.