Decentralization and Local Democracy Examining Governance Innovation in Eastern Indonesia

Abstrak

This study is motivated by the dynamics of decentralization that have yet to fully create effective local democracy, particularly in Eastern Indonesia. Geographical, social, and institutional challenges highlight the need to understand governance innovations that adapt to local conditions. The study aims to analyze governance innovation practices within the context of decentralization and their impact on local democracy in the region. The research employs a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with 20 key informants, field observations, and document studies. The main findings reveal that successful governance innovations involve active community participation, the use of simple information technology, and policy adaptations based on local wisdom. This study contributes to contemporary political science by providing empirical insights into how decentralization can strengthen democracy through local innovations, especially in complex geographical and social contexts. Research recommendations include strengthening institutional capacity at the local level, enhancing community participation, and developing mechanisms for evaluating governance innovations. The study’s limitations lie in its focus on a specific region and a relatively small number of informants, making result generalization cautious.