MODEL PEMBANGUNAN SEKTOR SOSIAL, EKONOMI DAN PENDIDIKAN MASYARAKAT MULTIKULTURAL BERBASIS KOMUNIKASI ANTARBUDAYA

Abstract

Indonesia has experienced several severe ethnic conflicts since 1998. One of
the most severe ethnic conflicts is Dayak and the Madurese conflict in Kalimantan.
However there is a case of successful Madurese adapt and resolve conflicts with
Sundanese in the village Kebon Kelapa. Identity Negotiation Theory, Hall’s cultural
dimensions, and intercultural conflict management styles serve as the theoretical
foundations for this research. The research data were collected by conducting indepth
interviews with 9 Madurese residents and 9 Sundanese residents who represent three
generations of conflict parties. Focus group discussions with Madurese and Sundanese
were held to generate richer data. This study found that conflicts related to the content
and relational issues as cultural differences; Madurese’s low context culture and
Sundanese’s high context culture, resolved through compromise styles that led to better
intercultural interpersonal relationship and working relationship. Improving those
relationships were able to reduce an unresolved identity issue conflict that was usually
exacerbated by economic disparity issues. More importantly, the second and third
generations of those ethnic groups are found to have significant role on resolving
conflicts. In this situation, the opinion leader of each ethnic group is a critical component
that can facilitate dialog between conflicting parties, whereas the monumental event that
symbolize the success of resolving conflict also plays a role as media of uniting Madurese
and Sundanese as an community. It suggested principles or lessons for effectively
handling intercultural conflicts.