The Substantive Justice in Regional Elections: A Philosophical and Sociological Comparison of Asian, European, And African Countries
Keywords:
Election, Inclusivity, Justice, Representation, SubstantiveAbstract
Substantive justice in regional elections, which focuses on election outcomes that reflect social justice, inclusiveness, and fair distribution of power, requires a contextual approach in Asia, Europe, and Africa to address the unique challenges of each region and create more inclusive and just political systems. This study aims to explore the philosophical and sociological understanding and application of the concept of substantive justice and its impact on political representation and inclusiveness in regional elections in Asian, European, and African countries. This study uses normative legal methods with legislative, conceptual, and comparative approaches to analyze the concept of substantive justice and its application in regional elections in Asia, Europe, and Africa, relying on qualitative analysis of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials. The results of the study show that substantive justice in regional elections focuses on outcomes that reflect social justice, equality, and inclusiveness, with highly contextual applications in Asia, Europe, and Africa. In Europe, this concept is influenced by John Rawls’ theory of justice as fairness, with a proportional electoral system that is effective in representing the diversity of society. In Asia, values of social harmony and cultural plurality influence the implementation of substantive justice, although challenges such as money politics and social inequality remain significant. In Africa, the philosophy of Ubuntu encourages community solidarity, but obstacles such as corruption and ethnic conflict hinder its implementation. In general, affirmative action policies, ongoing reforms, and public education are needed to strengthen inclusiveness and political representation at the local level in various regions.
Downloads
References
Abubakar, Ibrahim, Sarah L Dalglish, Blake Angell, Olutobi Sanuade, Seye Abimbola, Aishatu Lawal Adamu, Ifedayo M O Adetifa, et al. “The Lancet Nigeria Commission: Investing in Health and the Future of the Nation.” The Lancet 399, no. 10330 (March 2022): 1155–1200. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02488-0.
Acemoglu. “IV Political Process : Public Opinion, Attitudes, Parties, Forces, Groups and Elections / Vie Politique : Opinion Publique, Attitudes, Partis, Forces, Groupes et Élections.” International Political Science Abstracts 71, no. 4 (August 2021): 542–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208345211038643.
Amiruddin, Amiruddin, and Rizki Ramadani. “Judicial Activism in Regional Head Election Dispute: The Practice and Consistency of The Indonesian Constitutional Court.” Substantive Justice International Journal of Law 6, no. 1 (June 2023): 56. https://doi.org/10.56087/substantivejustice.v6i1.230.
Andersson, Emil. “Distributive Justice, Social Cooperation, and the Basis of Equality.” Theoria 88, no. 6 (December 2022): 1180–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/theo.12433.
Azevedo, Mario J. “The State of Health System(s) in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities,” 1–73, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32564-4_1.
Bauer, Gretchen, and Jennie E. Burnet. “Gender Quotas, Democracy, and Women’s Representation in Africa: Some Insights from Democratic Botswana and Autocratic Rwanda.” Women’s Studies International Forum 41 (November 2013): 103–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2013.05.012.
Bhangaokar, Rachana, and Shagufa Kapadia. “At the Interface of ‘Dharma’ and ‘Karma’: Interpreting Moral Discourse in India.” Psychological Studies 54, no. 2 (June 2009): 96–108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-009-0018-1.
Burnet, Jennie E. “Women Have Found Respect: Gender Quotas, Symbolic Representation, and Female Empowerment in Rwanda.” Politics & Gender 7, no. 3 (September 2011): 303–34. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743923X11000250.
Creary, Melissa S. “Bounded Justice and the Limits of Health Equity.” Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 49, no. 2 (June 2021): 241–56. https://doi.org/10.1017/jme.2021.34.
Edor, Edor J. “John Rawls’s Concept of Justice as Fairness.” PINISI Discretion Review 4, no. 1 (December 2020): 179. https://doi.org/10.26858/pdr.v4i1.16387.
Endri, Endri. “INDONESIAN LEGAL PLURALISM FOR STATE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES: BETWEEN CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.” Jurnal Hukum Peratun 3, no. 1 (February 2020): 19–34. https://doi.org/10.25216/peratun.312020.19-34.
Ewuoso, C, and S Hall. “Core Aspects of Ubuntu: A Systematic Review.” South African Journal of Bioethics and Law 12, no. 2 (December 2019): 93. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJBL.2019.v12i2.679.
Fredman, Sandra. “Substantive Equality Revisited.” International Journal of Constitutional Law 14, no. 3 (July 2016): 712–38. https://doi.org/10.1093/icon/mow043.
Funke, Carolin, and Dennis Dijkzeul. “Institutionalizing a New Understanding of Disability in Humanitarian Action at the International Level,” 27–42, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-53809-4_3.
Hamjad, Hamjad, M. Galang Asmara, and Roro Cahyowati. “Impact of Campaign Regulations on Electoral Freedom.” Indonesian Journal of Law and Economics Review 19, no. 1 (January 2024). https://doi.org/10.21070/ijler.v19i1.998.
Hughes, Melanie M. “Electoral Systems and the Legislative Representation of Muslim Ethnic Minority Women in the West, 2000–2010.” Parliamentary Affairs 69, no. 3 (July 2016): 548–68. https://doi.org/10.1093/pa/gsv062.
Hughes, Melanie M., Pamela Paxton, and Mona Lena Krook. “Gender Quotas for Legislatures and Corporate Boards.” Annual Review of Sociology 43, no. 1 (July 2017): 331–52. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-060116-053324.
Indarto, Ervan Kus, Arya Wanda Wirayuda, Oni Dwi Arianto, Rima Firdaus, and Henry Ufomba. “Election Dispute Resolution and Justice as Fairness: A Study of Regional Head Elections in Indonesia.” Jurnal Mengkaji Indonesia 2, no. 2 (November 2023): 357–73. https://doi.org/10.59066/jmi.v2i2.258.
Intentilia, Anak Agung Mia. “Analyzing Patriarchy, Political Participation, and Active Citizenship in ASEAN.” Intermestic: Journal of International Studies 5, no. 1 (November 2020): 12. https://doi.org/10.24198/intermestic.v5n1.2.
J. Moleong, Lexy. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: PT Remaja Rosdakarya, 2017.
Jared. “V Political Process : Public Opinion, Attitudes, Parties, Forces, Groups and Elections / Vie Politique : Opinion Publique, Attitudes, Partis, Forces, Groupes et Élections.” International Political Science Abstracts 73, no. 6 (December 2023): 878–912. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208345231218241.
Johannesburg, University of. “Terms of Reference Preparation : Terms of Reference,” no. July (2018): 1–20.
Klimczuk, Andrzej, and Delali Adjoa Dovie. Bridging Social Inequality Gaps - Concepts, Theories, Methods, and Tools. Edited by Andrzej Klimczuk and Delali A. Dovie. Vol. 21. Sustainable Development. IntechOpen, 2024. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1001812.
Lin, Li, Peter Ping Li, and Hein Roelfsema. “The Traditional Chinese Philosophies in Inter-Cultural Leadership.” Cross Cultural & Strategic Management 25, no. 2 (April 2018): 299–336. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCSM-01-2017-0001.
Luhiste, Maarja. “Party Gatekeepers’ Support for Viable Female Candidacy in PR-List Systems.” Politics & Gender 11, no. 1 (March 2015): 89–116. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743923X14000580.
Lwamba, Etienne, Shannon Shisler, Will Ridlehoover, Meital Kupfer, Nkululeko Tshabalala, Promise Nduku, Laurenz Langer, et al. “Strengthening Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in Fragile Contexts towards Peaceful and Inclusive Societies: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis.” Campbell Systematic Reviews 18, no. 1 (March 2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1214.
McCrudden, C. “Human Dignity and Judicial Interpretation of Human Rights.” European Journal of International Law 19, no. 4 (September 2008): 655–724. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejil/chn043.
Mirza, Heidi Safia, and Ross Warwick. “Race and Ethnic Inequalities.” Oxford Open Economics 3, no. Supplement_1 (July 2024): i365–452. https://doi.org/10.1093/ooec/odad026.
Mkhize, Nkosingiphile, Sobongile Moyo, and Sipho Mahoa. “African Solutions to African Problems: A Narrative of Corruption in Postcolonial Africa.” Cogent Social Sciences 10, no. 1 (December 2024). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2327133.
Molefe, Motsamai. An African Philosophy of Personhood, Morality, and Politics. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15561-2.
Mosse, David. “Caste and Development: Contemporary Perspectives on a Structure of Discrimination and Advantage.” World Development 110 (October 2018): 422–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.06.003.
Muhaimin. Metode Penelitian Hukum. Mataram: Mataram University Press, 2020.
Mulkan, Hasanal, and Serlika Aprita. Hukum Otonomi Daerah. Jakarta: Mitra Wacana Media, 2023.
Nightingale, Andrea J. “Power and Politics in Climate Change Adaptation Efforts: Struggles over Authority and Recognition in the Context of Political Instability.” Geoforum 84 (August 2017): 11–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2017.05.011.
Noor, Firman, Sarah Nuraini Siregar, Ridho Imawan Hanafi, and David Sepriwasa. “The Implementation of Direct Local Election (Pilkada) and Money Politics Tendencies: The Current Indonesian Case.” Politik Indonesia: Indonesian Political Science Review 6, no. 2 (August 2021): 227–46. https://doi.org/10.15294/ipsr.v6i2.31438.
Norris, Pippa. “The New Research Agenda Studying Electoral Integrity.” Electoral Studies 32, no. 4 (December 2013): 563–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2013.07.015.
Okedele, Adebusola. “Women, Quotas, and Affirmative Action Policies in Africa.” In The Palgrave Handbook of African Women’s Studies, 449–63. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28099-4_80.
Omenma, J. Tochukwu. “Courts’ Involvement in the Electoral Process and Their Impact on Improving Election Quality in Nigeria.” Politeia 38, no. 1 (August 2019). https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6689/4377.
Prince, Adamaagashi Izuchukwu, Olutosin Collins, Chidozie Princewill Nwimo, and Kehinde Oluwafemi Bello. “The Intersection of Economic Inequality and Political Conflict in Africa: A Comprehensive Analysis.” INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH 9, no. 6 (September 2023): 69–87. https://doi.org/10.56201/ijssmr.v9.no6.2023.pg69.87.
Ren, Fuxing, Jun Wang, and Wenming Lv. “Confucian Harmony and the Idea of Sustainable Development in Modern Society.” Trans/Form/Ação 45, no. spe2 (2022): 37–58. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-3173.2022.v45esp2.p37.
Saputra, Inggar, and Nisa Wening Asih. “Kepemimpinan Perempuan Dan Pilkada Serentak.” Arist 5, no. 1 (2017). https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.24269/ars.v5i1.424.
Sasaki, Innan, and Sofiane Baba. “Shades of Cultural Marginalization: Cultural Survival and Autonomy Processes.” Organization Theory 5, no. 1 (January 2024). https://doi.org/10.1177/26317877231221552.
Singh, Pragya. “Electoral Reforms in India: Comparative Analysis with U.S.A. & U.K.” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2013. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2361595.
Sitapati, Vinay. “Reservations.” In The Oxford Handbook of the Indian Constitution, 720–41. Oxford University Press, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1093/law/9780198704898.003.0040.
Sugiyono. “Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, Dan R&D.” Bandung: CV. Alfabeta, 2019.
Sunaryo, Sunaryo. “Konsep Fairness John Rawls, Kritik Dan Relevansinya.” Jurnal Konstitusi 19, no. 1 (March 2022): 001. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1911.
Suryani, Ade Irma, and Dodi Jaya Wardana. “Legal Aspects of Women’s Political Participation in a Gender Perspective.” JURNAL USM LAW REVIEW 7, no. 3 (December 2024): 1967. https://doi.org/10.26623/julr.v7i3.10634.
Tanti, Hak Denny Mim Shot. REKONSTRUKSI REGULASI PERSYARATAN CALON KEPALA DESA YANG BERBASIS NILAI KEADILAN. Semarang: Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, 2024.
Taylor, Robert S. “Rawls’s Defense of the Priority of Liberty: A Kantian Reconstruction.” Philosophy & Public Affairs 31, no. 3 (July 2003): 246–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1088-4963.2003.00246.x.
Wardana, Dodi Jaya, Sukardi, and Radian Salman. “The Concept of Special Courts in the Settlement of Regional Head Election Cases in Indonesia.” Justitia: Jurnal Hukum 6, no. 2 (2021). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30651/justitia.v6i02.9718.
WRAGE, BIRTE, DENNIS PAPADOPOULOS, and JUDITH BENZ-SCHWARZBURG. “Ubuntu in Elephant Communities.” Journal of the American Philosophical Association 10, no. 4 (December 2024): 814–35. https://doi.org/10.1017/apa.2023.24.
Wu, Zhongmin. “Procedural Justice.” In Why Is Social Justice Possible?, 151–62. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-5380-2_8.
Yusuf, Isah Musa, and Mansur Sulaiman Shugaba. “CONTEXTUALIZING JOHN RAWL’S THEORY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY.” Journal of Political Discourse 2, no. 2 (2024).
Zhang, W. The Right to Development. Edited by Wei Zhang. Brill | Nijhoff, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004364455.
Zubaidah Rahim, Lily. “Discursive Contest between Liberal and Literal Islam in Southeast Asia.” Policy and Society 25, no. 4 (January 2006): 77–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1449-4035(06)70091-1.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2025 Nurlaily Nurlaily, Agusta R. Minin, Dinesha Samararatne

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The authors hold the copyright. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. How ever the author should affirming that the article is their original work should accompany the article via online submission form. Authors are permitted to share a Preprint of their article anywhere at any time. Link Declaration of originality (PDF)