From Practice to Stability: Examining the Impact of Political Practice on Democratic Stability through the Lens of Good Governance and Power Distribution

Abstract

Incorporating the Political Opportunity Structure theory and the Power-Distribution theory, this study investigates the direct and indirect effects of political practices, including political leadership, political culture, and public policy, on democratic stability via the mediating role of good governance. Additionally, the study examines the moderating influence of power distribution on the relationship between good governance and democratic stability. A cluster survey of citizens and communities in the Indonesian province of West Java gathered data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and regression analysis. The results indicate that ethical, political leadership, political culture, and public policy have a substantial direct effect on democratic stability, while good governance functions as a mediator between political practices and democratic stability. In addition, the relationship between effective governance and democratic stability is moderated by power distribution. The findings have theoretical and practical implications for policymakers striving to promote good governance and democratic stability. Ultimately, this research will deepen our understanding of the intricate relationship between political practice, good governance, power distribution, and democratic stability, essential to the efficient operation of democratic systems worldwide. In addition to comparative analysis, future research directions include intervention studies, mixed-methods research, and multi-level analysis.