Kedai Kopi: Ruang Publik Strategis bagi Masyarakat di Tanah Karo, Sumatera Utara

ABSTRACT Talking about public sphere becomes inevitable when related to the participation of citizen in democratic state. The interesting phenomena can be found in Tanah Karo, North Sumatera, which dwelled by Karo ethnic. Public sphere in this area has been a part ofpeople life. The cultural public sphere which lasting for centuries in Tanah Karo is Kedai Kopi. This sphere is comfortable for people to spend their time in there and construct a discourse. Discursive process which started from Kedai Kopi in Tanah Karo can not be seperated from tradition and kinship relations. The interaction among people in kedai kopi is influenced by theirposition in tradition. Next, the position of each individu in tradition does not make individual existeng as the main point in the discursive process which brings in to the potential space, but what need to be focussed is solidarity relations based on daliken sitelu or kinship gstem in Karo society. It is clear that the discourse which developed by society has different rationality with the discourse developed by the state. State discourse has the instrumental rationality aim at programmes and formal process, while society has the defferent idea with the state's discourse. The discourse of society has communicative rationality and aim at the society needs. Meanwhile, these two discourses still alive in society, because there is not frontal action againts gaints the state. Key word: Public Sphere Sphere, Discourse, Socialy, Stat