Political Education as the Civic Application Engagement for Strengthening Democracy (The Case Study in Grobogan Regency)

Political education as a means of political socialization is certainly needed in an effort to improve the democracy quality. Political education can be carried out through political socialization and a process of transforming political values from society to individuals. Political education aims to increase public knowledge so that they can participate optimally in the political system. In accordance with the understanding of people sovereignty or democracy, people must be able to participate. Civic engagement is defined as collective and individual action taken to identify and demonstrate the relevance of general issues. To realize civic engagement, political knowledge and political information are needed. Civic engagement is synonymous with civic participation in which citizens participate in making policy. Civic engagement requires the citizens' engagement in policy making and other political activities for strengthening democracy. This study discusses political education, civic engagement and strategies or models in political education by all parties. This research is conducted by using an explanatory approach, and the finding shows that one of the most widely used and effective models in the implementation of political education is the extension model, religion recitation with the involvement of community leaders who have an interest in political activities.