| Summary: | How grass roots in Bangka Belitung construct the definition of Indonesia defense among
discourse battles produced by the state is the focus of investigation in this research.
Theoretically, state defense is regarded as a reality that is socially constructed.
This research is qualitatively conducted with phenomenological tradition. This method is
chosen because the problems investigated need to have a number of actual and contextual field
data that are based on the connection of problems analyzed and primary data from subjects of
research that can be separated from their natural setting. Data are collected by means of intensive
interview and focus group discussion.
The result shows that grass roots create symbols and define them by their own ways. The
meanings for the symbols are constructed based on their interpersonal communication
experiences, observations on objective reality in their lives, and agreement among the symbols
users as a tool of social communication.
State defense discourses growing in grass roots are partly dominated by the government
though through symbols and discourses that are constructed by the state in the form of rules or
policies. This asserts that discourses are representations of power and means of domination. In
apposition to this, grass roots create their discourses that are functional in organizing and
controlling their lives.
Construction of state defense meaning among grass roots is represented in symbols created
by them. What symbolizes can be one thing or a discourse. This meaning representation is
exchanged in interpersonal communication process. Besides creating representation of state
defense meaning based on their experiences and observations, grass roots interpret symbols
produced by the state. The interpretation from the grass roots on the symbols of state defense is
modified based on their reasoning.
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