Power Relation, Participation, and Local Government Reform

This paper sourced from dissertation of  presenter for doctoral studies in sociology in University of Indonesia (2013), which describes the Solo City mayor’s (during governed by Joko Widodo, 2005-2012) action facing structural challenges  (rules and resources constraints) to create inclusive populist policies in cases of arrangement of street vendors and resettlement on the banks of the Bengawan Solo. The approach used qualitative case study strategy with the individual (actor) as a unit of analysis which also presents the institution.  By using structuration theory (Giddens, 1984)  and the Polity Models (Tilly, 1978), the results of this study shows, although the head of local state government open wide enough space for public to participation in management of power (resources) in local reform, not all CSO (Civil Society Organization) and CSA(Civil Society activist) give positive respond. The factors that influence are ideology (radical democracy), mistrust with local state government because of past trauma, and doubt (skeptic) about the commitment of local state government. Additionally, the availability of alternative resources (money, networking, and people) is another important factor that affects. Finally, the right approach from the head of local state can reduce the resistance and rejection from CSO and CSA; and the most importantly, it’s because the head of local state can gives strong evidence that he does not have a personal vested interest in the management of power does (actually led to serve people).