The Dynamics of Political Systems in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Analysis of Indonesia and Malaysia from the Perspective of David Easton’s Political System Theory

Abstract

The debate over the efficiency of presidential and parliamentary systems is generally driven by 
normative assumptions that do not necessarily align with empirical reality. This study aims 
to compare the influence of the political systems in Indonesia and Malaysia on the state’s 
response to public demands and on the formulation of effective policies. This is a qualitative 
study. Using a qualitative approach based on a literature review and David Easton’s political 
system theory framework, this study examines the relationship between inputs (demands and 
support), the conversion process, and policy outputs in both countries. The results show that 
Indonesia, with its relatively open presidential system, has a high level of political participation 
but risks experiencing an overload that affects the complexity of decision-making and policy 
inconsistency. Conversely, Malaysia demonstrates efficiency in the policy conversion process 
through a more consolidated parliamentary system, but with limitations in the inclusivity of 
political participation. This study affirms that the effectiveness of a political system is not 
solely determined by institutional design, but rather by the interaction between historical 
factors, elite dynamics, social structures, and institutional capacity. These findings contribute 
to enriching the field of comparative politics by challenging institutional determinism and 
emphasizing the importance of strengthening institutional capacity and the quality of 
substantive political representation.