Dr Pratiwi Utami completed her PhD in July 2023 at Monash University.

Thesis Title
“I’m here for the memes”:
The civic potential of internet memes in Indonesia

Summary
Memes have emerged as a powerful vehicle for political expression, offering a means for individuals to critique and satirize political figures while drawing attention to their personal foibles. Yet, the impact of meme-based engagement on political deliberation remains a subject of debate. This doctoral thesis transcends the simplistic dichotomy of memes either hindering or facilitating political participation, delving into the nuanced realm of civic engagement facilitated by memes. By advancing the argument that memes encompass diverse modes of civic involvement extending beyond mere entertainment, this research acknowledges that the act of engaging with politics through memes often leads to the coexistence of disparate outcomes. 

Through an examination of memes crafted and disseminated during the 2019 Indonesia presidential election debates, an analysis of comments on these memes, and in-depth interviews with 26 members of meme communities, this study illuminates the complex nature of meme-driven civic engagement. It becomes evident that humour can be both a source of pleasure and anxiety among Indonesian users. While the entertaining nature of memes can elicit joy, the expression of political viewpoints entails risks, such as online hostilities from fervent political adherents or legal allegations of blasphemy. For young Indonesians, memes became a conduit to reach typically disengaged voters, yet they also became a medium for interacting with politics in a careful, guarded way. During the 2019 election, memes acted as a platform for disseminating political knowledge and criticism but also generated a form of participation marked by vigilance and anxiety. Users felt compelled to adhere to a specific set of norms and rules when engaging in political humour to mitigate these risks. 

The ambivalence does not imply that memes obstruct political change; rather, it underscores the intricacies inherent in the interplay between meme culture and politics. This phenomenon highlights that memes constitute a culturally distinctive facet of Indonesian politics and that the practice of political meme-ing carries inherent risks, particularly within the context of the 2019 presidential election. It is noteworthy that such ambivalence emerged in a post-authoritarian society where public perceptions of political communication are influenced by ideological factors and the burgeoning role of social media as a polarizing political tool. Consequently, this thesis provides invaluable insights into how civic engagement facilitated by memes is entwined with the risks associated with elections and political discourse. Within this unique context, memes demonstrate a capacity to transcend their primary role as sources of entertainment, solidifying their significance in the realm of political satire. 

In conclusion, this thesis not only enriches the existing body of research on the dynamic and elusive participatory behaviours within social media but also illuminates the multifaceted landscape of meme-driven civic engagement in the Indonesian political arena. 

Supervisors
Prof Mark Andrejevic, Monash University
Dr Andy Ruddock, Monash University
Prof Julian Millie, Monash University