Paradigma Dakwah Struktural: Gerakan Anti Politik Uang pada Pelaksanaan Pilkades oleh Masyarakat Desa Gerlang Batang dari Era ke Era

Abstract

This study aims to explore the phenomenon of community resistance against money politics in the village head election (pilkades) of Gerlang Village, Batang Regency. Despite the persistence of money politics in local political culture across Indonesia, the people of Gerlang demonstrate strong moral and social resistance to such practices. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The analysis employs McCombs Agenda-Setting Theory to explain how the moral issue of rejecting money politics became a salient public agenda, intertwined with the role of Islamic preaching (dakwah) as a moral communication medium at the local level. The findings reveal that resistance emerged through moral persuasion, religious communication, and continuous social interaction, where religious leaders acted as opinion builders (agenda setters). The synergy between face-to-face dakwah and digital communication via village social media groups strengthened public awareness grounded in religious values, social ethics, and political accountability. This study concludes that moral communication serves as an effective instrument to foster ethical political consciousness and social integrity within grassroots communities.