PCD Journal

Exploring the Relationships Between Democracy and Central Bank Independence

2025-02-10T20:38:29+07:00

This paper applies fixed-effect panel regression on observational data from both developed and developing countries to test the established models of the impact of democracy, political rights, civil liberties, and political institutions on central bank independence (CBI). Evidence shows that lower civil liberties and political risk statistically influence CBI in both developed and developing countries. The findings also show that well-exercised democracy and political rights significantly influence CBI in developing countries only. By contrast, most political variables do not significantly influence CBI in highly developed countries. Instead, CBI depends on macroeconomic variables such as higher taxes and international debt. These findings provide new insights that differ from previously established results, which predict that CBI is not sensitive to political variables. Overall, this paper reaffirms the interplay between politics (proxied by democratic practices) and economy (proxied by CBI) in the early stages of development which varies across different levels of development.

Advocacy Coalitions in Baduy Tourism Policy

2025-03-11T14:52:09+07:00

The political participation of the Baduy indigenous community in sustainable tourism policy has led to the emergence of two advocacy coalitions with differing views: one supports tourism for its economic potential, while the other opposes it to protect local values and the environment. This division reflects the community's involvement in policy-making. The pro-tourism group believes proper regulation can yield economic benefits without harming the culture or the environment. Conversely, the anti-tourism group prioritises cultural preservation and environmental conservation. The Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) helps understand these interactions. Although pro-tourism advocacy dominates policy decisions, initiatives like tourist restrictions from the Baduy Customary Organisation are also recognised and implemented, indicating that political participation can result in more balanced policies. The opposing coalitions also highlight the dynamics of political participation in shaping sustainable tourism policies in an area where an indigenous community lives.

Contestation and Representation Claims

2025-02-10T20:36:59+07:00

Theory of "the representative claim" opens up the political space of representation beyond the formal realm, and contestation over representation can take place both in the electoral and non-electoral arena. This contestation takes the form of narrative claims to justify and legitimize the representation carried out on the claimed constituents. This research analyzes the contestation between the NGOs who facilitate the Anak Dalam Tribe Indigenous Community (Suku Anak Dalam, or SAD) as a non-electoral representation actor in the alleged conflict between the SAD Indigenous Community and one of the palm oil companies in Jambi Province. Using a qualitative approach to obtain depth of data and analysis, this research shows that in the contestation of claims between companion groups, at least three claims are produced, namely representation claims, misrepresentation claims, and representation claims of interests or values. Contesting claims center on differences in views regarding the best way to improve the welfare of the SAD Indigenous Peoples. This claim itself produces various responses of acceptance and rejection by the constituents – the SAD Community – which the companion group claims to be the group they represent.

Beyond Factory Walls

2025-02-10T20:37:37+07:00

This study explores the practice of Community Unionism (CU) as a response to the challenges that member of labor union faced in the area of Mega Regency Housing complex in Bekasi Regency, Indonesia. CU emerges as an alternative strategy that expands the role of union member from mere workers in the workplace to be part of the wider community. CU views workers are not only as economic entities, but also social ones, which in return can strengthen social solidarity among union member and political bargaining power. This research uses qualitative methods, including literature review, in-depth interviews, observation, and document analysis, to answer a question and analyze how CUs operate in one of housing complexes populated by union members in the region. The results show that CUs are able to improve the bargaining position of workers while providing significant benefits to local communities. This study contributes to the Indonesian labor literature by filling the knowledge gap regarding CUs in Indonesia, as well as offering insight into the potential of CUs in strengthening the labor movement and promoting social justice at the community level. The research emphasizes the importance of community-based approaches in contemporary labor movement strategies to achieve broader social transformation.

Advocacy Strategies of Labour Unions in Demanding Workers’ Rights during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2025-02-10T20:38:09+07:00

This paper explores the strategies and advocacy steps taken by Serikat Pekerja Sejahtera Mandiri Jogja Bay Waterpark (Spektram JBW) during the COVID-19 pandemic causing 31 relieved of duty workers and 8 laid-off workers. This research uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. Through the analysis of advocacy theory from Sharma (2004) and contentious politics theory from Tarrow (2011), this paper shows that Spektram JBW's advocacy strategy follow five advocacy steps, namely identifying the root of the problem, formulating solutions, building political awareness, policy implementation, and evaluation. The five steps illustrate the process of contentious politics (movement process) with the formation of the union, and the unity of ordinary workers against the corporate elite. The advocacy resulted on two main demands were achieved but demand for worker status failed, and the process continued to the Industrial Relations Court (Pengadilan Hubungan Industrial, or PHI). The success of Spektram JBW is an example of success story providing a bright spot for other unions in Yogyakarta. The failure stems from the union culture in the area of DIY which lacks unions and the small scale of industry which makes it difficult to mobilise large numbers of workers.

From Competition to Configuration

2025-02-12T11:36:50+07:00

This article examines the transformation of two types of knowledge—government/official knowledge, which represents "scientific" and “expertise”; and local knowledge, represented by the "Jalin Merapi" community, considered as “non-scientific” and layman's understanding. Both types of knowledge are linked by a common "boundary object" (Gieryn, 1983) of Mount Merapi, but they are often in a competition to influence public discourse. The main argument of this article is that integrating government/scientific and local/non-scientific knowledge can result in more effective disaster mitigation strategies. However, in Indonesia, there is a significant gap between these two types of knowledge systems, and competition often overshadows collaboration. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research highlights a shift in knowledge dynamics, from competition to collaboration, facilitated by the "Jalin Merapi" community. Despite this progress, the inclusion of local knowledge in policy making in Indonesia remains limited. This finding emphasises the importance of more inclusive policies that combine scientific knowledge with local insights to improve disaster management system in Indonesia.