Political Family Dynasties in South Sulawesi: A Closer Look

A family dinner table where politics is the main course. In South Sulawesi, political conversations aren't just small talk; they're how the next generation gets interested in governance. This intriguing phenomenon of political kinship is on the rise. Families pass down not just genes but also political networks and even family brands. This fascinating process is what makes some candidates in South Sulawesi popular among the public.Direct elections of local leaders and a voting system favoring proportional open lists have given political families a big boost. More family members are now in leadership positions, which sounds great, but there's a catch. The average age of these candidates is dropping, and so is their political experience. New political parties and a lack of fresh faces are creating a perfect power vacuum for these dynasties to swoop in early on. So, what's the big deal? The quality of candidates matters a lot in kinship politics. Are they really up to the task, or are they just riding on the family name? This is an important question to explore, especially when you look at what experts like Hess, Casey, Asako, and even Dal Bo and Querobin have said about the characteristics of kinship politics.