The Soldiers Welfare: The Military Keynesianism Perspective for The Indonesian Armed Forces’s Professionalism

Muradi Muradi

doi:10.5539/ass.v13n11p152

Abstract

Building professional soldiers into the wishes and commitments of many countries, this is due to the strengthening of threats that are not only traditional threats, but also non-traditional threats. This situation confirms that the presence of professional soldiers will ensure the sovereignty of the state, because the military institution can focus on its duties and functions on the defense of the country. In this context, the Indonesian Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia—TNI) is also faced with situations that place TNI institutions to become professionals, relying on democratic civilian government through the defense ministry with an emphasis on improving the welfare of soldiers simultaneously with efforts to modernize Indonesia's defense system. Because the Military-Keynesianism approach believes that improving the welfare of the army is part of the consequences of increasing defense budgets. The paper argues that the increase in defense budget will be correlated with the welfare of the army, although the policy is not directly for the welfare of the army. The article also argues that the increase in the defense budget should improve the TNI foundation as an ideal institution by emphasizing the welfare of soldiers.

Highlights

Heidi Garret-Paltier is question in his article “Is Military Keynesianism a Solution?” related to the US government plan to send 10,000 soldiers to Afghanistan last 2010, is an interesting subject. i Military Keynesianism perspective is based on a concept that the increase of military budget may support the country’s economic growth
Based on Military Keynesianism approach, the assumption of professionalism and military spending will accelerate the welfare of soldiers
The positive impact of the raise of defense budget in State budget is that welfare of soldier is adjusted to the limited state budget

Summary

Introduction

Heidi Garret-Paltier is question in his article “Is Military Keynesianism a Solution?” related to the US government plan to send 10,000 soldiers to Afghanistan last 2010, is an interesting subject. i Military Keynesianism perspective is based on a concept that the increase of military budget may support the country’s economic growth. The soldier welfare is an issue in most countries related to professional military organization and management. Building a professional military organization should be based on welfare of soldiers. Potential threat against professionalism in military still haunts when soldiers are not in a welfare situation. In this context, Indonesia Armed Forces (TNI) relies on the ruling civil administration to ensure professionalism of TNI soldiers. Steps to increase Indonesia defense budget are based on State budget system, not on State needs to strengthen and modernize military posture.iv Limited state budget to support defense budget us the main key why defense budget is not in line with hopes of TNI.v The condition has made TNI steps to be professional soldiers are difficult. This article argued that the increase of defense budget should improve the foundation of TNI as ideal institution with stressing on the welfare of soldier

Military Keynesian and the Management of Military Organization

The Soldiers Welfare and Indonesia’s Military Professionalism

Findings

Conclusion