Understanding Politics and Social Policy in Global and Indonesian Contexts

Understanding Politics and Social Policy in Global and Indonesian Contexts examines social policy as a fundamentally political process shaped by power relations, institutional arrangements, and competing visions of justice. Challenging perspectives that treat social policy as a purely technical matter of program design and implementation, this book argues that political dynamics are central to understanding why social policies succeed, fail, or produce uneven outcomes across contexts. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the book integrates insights from political science, economics, sociology, public administration, and development studies. It explores the political dimensions of social policy, welfare state institutions, and comparative global experiences, emphasizing the importance of Global North–South perspectives in understanding inequality and social justice. Through comparative discussion, the book demonstrates how similar policy instruments can generate vastly different results depending on political coalitions, governance structures, and institutional capacities. Indonesia is presented as a key case, illustrating the paradox of expanding social protection alongside persistent poverty, inequality, and implementation challenges. The book highlights how governance issues, corruption, power asymmetries, and political incentives shape policy formulation, delivery, and outcomes. Beyond diagnosis, it also discusses social policy innovation, implementation processes, and strategic responses to poverty and inequality. Concluding with a forward-looking perspective, the book addresses future challenges and possibilities for social policy reform in Indonesia and globally. It is intended for students, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking a critical and politically informed understanding of social policy in contemporary societies.