Democratizing Decentralization: Local Initiatives from Indonesia (original) (raw)
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DECENTRALIZATION AND GOVERNANCE IN INDONESIA Indonesia over the past two decades has embarked on a process of decentralization as part of a broader process of democratization, which followed earlier periods of centralized governance and authoritarian rule across the archipelago. The purpose of this book is to begin to explore the connections between governance and sustainable society in a wide variety of policy fields in Indonesia, and how reforming governance structures may contribute to societal benefits and the creation of a long-term sustainable society. This book bridges important theoretical debates related to governance and sustainable society and provides empirical research from Indonesia in important policy areas related to this debate. By placing research in different policy areas in a single volume, the link to the broader concepts of governance, decentralization, and societal outcomes is strengthened. The book builds on the recent interest that has focused on Indonesia and the continued development of democracy in the country. The chapters in the book show a rich variety of decentralized governance arrangements and capacity building at the local level in particular. Central standards (for example for social sustainability, anti-corruption arrangements, or for dealing with direct foreign investment), combined with local innovation (for example for municipal coordination of primary health care or metropolitan transport), are key to Indonesia as a country in a continuing process of transformation. We identify three key trends in the on-going process of decentralization and governance in Indonesia. First, we find that formal governance, the relation between the national and local government, is characterized by a system of ‘variable geometry multi-level governance’ depending on the policy area. The challenge ahead is strengthening accountability mechanisms to assure national standards while preserving and encouraging local innovation. Secondly, informal governance mechanisms are evolving to move from ‘hierarchical to network’ forms of governance. Here the challenge is to insure democratic input by citizens and civil society organizations. Finally, we identify a trend toward ‘shared value creation and sustainable cooperation.’ Indonesia is beginning to move from a rather singular policy focus on economic growth to a more complex and developing notion of policymaking for inclusive growth and the creation of a sustainable society for present and future generations. Here the challenge is sound implementation and to increase the effectiveness of governance mechanisms. There is also a noted diffusion of goals, to focus beyond the Jakarta metropolitan area to smaller regional cities, as urbanization continues and rural areas are changing. This book will be of interest for use in advanced undergraduate and graduate courses related to Southeast Asia in the fields of international relations, political science, public administration, economics, law, sociology, education, public health, and the spatial sciences. It will also be of interest to policymakers and government officials at the national and local level in Southeast Asia and middle-income developing countries, officials and policymakers in institutions of regional governance such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and of global governance such as the United Nations and World Bank. It will also be of interest to civil society organizations and other actors focused on policy development and economic development, health, education, the environment, sustainable transport, etc. The book will also be of interest to business people interested in economic and governance issues, such as the management and governance of in-bound foreign investment, inclusive growth, and corporate governance. Finally, the book should be of interest to citizens in advanced, middle-income, and developing countries motivated to learn more about the links between governance and the creation of a sustainable society for current and future generations.
M P RA Decentralization and Good Governance: The Case of Indonesia
Indonesia began a process of rapid government decentralization in 1999 from a formerly strong centralized government structure. I review the history of decentralization in Indonesia and assess how Indonesia has fared in pursuing a decentralization policy since 1999. I illustrate how Indonesia meets several criteria of successful decentralization and how it is fails the criteria in principle in other areas. Finally, I indicate the likely future challenges faced by Indonesia as it implements decentralization and provide some recommendations to improve the ongoing decentralization process.
Introduction to the mini special issue: understanding governance in Indonesia
Policy Studies
This is the first of a series of mini special issues of Policy Studies which investigate different aspects of governance in developing areas. This issue investigates the changing nature of Indonesian governance focusing on: (1) the allocation of roles and responsibilities between different tiers of governance at the centre of the political domain; (2) the implementation of the conditions of ASEAN Economic Community reform; and (3) the role of academic administrative entrepreneurs in facilitating processes of administrative change. It draws on the multi-level governance literature developed in the study of the European Union providing unique insights into the emergence of new modes of governance in a period of democratic transition paying specific attention to the interaction between domestic and international sources of policy change.
Democratic Governance_Local Politics and Public Management Issues in Indonesia.pdf
Twelve articles in this book demonstrated that the ripeness of democracy and governance whether in the national or local levels in Indonesia are moving toward a positive path. It should be appreciated. Nevertheless, an extraordinary effort from all stakeholders is extremely needed because Indonesia is not belonging to tiny people, certain tribes, certain religions and a few elites. Indonesia needs your togetherness in inventing an ideal democracy, clean and good governance, commitment in reforming bureaucracy and so on and so forth.
Decentralization and Governance in Indonesia
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Indonesia's Decentralization Policy: Initial Experiences and Emerging Problems
After over 30 years under a highly centralized national government, Indonesia decided to implement a policy of decentralization that became effective on January 1st, 2001. This paper examines the preparations that have been undertaken within the regions, some of the initial implementation measures, and some of the key problems that emerged during the process of decentralization as managed by regional governments. The paper is based on research conducted in thirteen districts across ten provinces over the past eighteen months. This presentation has two areas of focus: first, the internal processes undertaken by local governments to manage their new powers and responsibilities; second, whether the process of creating public policies under regional autonomy for the regions reflects the spirit of transparency, good governance and democracy. Law No. 22, 1999 on “Local Government” has devolved central government powers and responsibilities to local governments in all government administra...
Decentralization and Participation in Indonesia: Moving Towards More Participatory Planning?
2006
Dinamika social, ekonomi, dan politik local dan global telah mengubah konsep dan praktik pembangunan dari waktu ke waktu. Pada saat ini, paradigma pembangunan bergerak ke arah desentralisasi dan partisipasi. Kecenderungan ini dapat dilihat pada kebanyakan program-program pembangunan dan kebijakan Negara yang berfokus pada good governance. Paper ini mengkaji pokok persoalan desentralisasi dan pembangunan di Indonesia, khususnya tentang bagaimana gagasan partsipasi didefinisikan dan dikontekstualisasi dalam proses perencanaan pembangunan. Apakah Indonesia bergerak kea rah perencanaan partisipatoris? Apakah terdapat perubahanperubahan yang berarti dalam mekanisme perencanaan pembangunan? Apakah perencanaan partisipatoris benar-benar partisipatoris? Sejauh mana perencanaan partisipatoris itu mempromosikan partisipasi local dalam pembangunan? Kata kunci: Perencanaan partisipatoris, desentralisasi, partisipasi, Indonesia