Identity-Based Administrative Involution in Indonesia: How Political Actors and Community Figures Do It?

Erond L Damanik

doi:10.1177/2158244020974015

Abstract

The article aims to explore and discuss administrative involution in the context of the establishment of autonomous regions in Indonesia. The problem focuses on the role of actors to consolidate identities as a strategy of cleavage and the emergence of provinces. The study compares four cases of provincial cleavage in Sumatra, where two provinces have been formed, Bangka Belitung and Riau Islands, as well as two pending provinces of Tapanuli and Nias Islands. Data were collected through in-depth, personal interviews and self-report measures. The study refers to the constructive identity paradigm. Administrative involution, the findings of this study, is a product of ethnic politics that consolidates identity, determines the main political actors and categories, and changes its particular characteristics into a significant predictor of self-esteem for power-sharing. Administrative involution, the conclusion of the study, is an actor’s game of dividing the province, the power-sharing mechanism.

Highlights

This study is motivated by the phenomenon of ethnic identity consolidation during reforms in the formation of autonomous provinces
This study focuses on the cleavage and formation of four autonomous provinces on the island of Sumatra
Consolidation links situations of ethnicity with economic inequality, respectively, through the exploration of significance, creation of new boundaries, immersions in social identity, equality, and continuous experimentation according to ethnic situations

Summary

Introduction

This study is motivated by the phenomenon of ethnic identity consolidation during reforms in the formation of autonomous provinces. During the 20 years of the Reform era (1999– 2019), the number of autonomous provinces increased from 27 to 34. Three new provinces were formed: North Maluku, East Irian Jaya, and Central Irian Jaya. In 2000, the number of provinces increased to 32 after the formation of Babel, Gorontalo, and Banten provinces. In 2001, East and Central Papua merged to become Papua Province. The 34th province is North Borneo, formed in 2012. The number of provinces is confirmed to increase in line with the plan to form eight new autonomous provinces: Tapanuli and Nias Islands in North Sumatra, Kapuas Raya in West Borneo, Bolangmangondow in North Celebes, Sumbawa Island in West Nusa Tenggara, as well as Southwest Papua, South Papua, and Central Papua in Papua

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion