DEVELOPING PLURALISTIC GOVERNANCE IN RURAL INDONESIA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Pluralistic governance has emerged as an approach capable of accommodating multiple decision-making systems, cultural norms, and institutional arrangements, particularly within diverse rural societies. In Indonesia, rural governance often reflects a coexistence between formal state structures and informal indigenous or community-based institutions. However, limited scholarly attention has examined how pluralistic governance develops and operates at the local level, especially in rural contexts. This qualitative study explores the development and practice of pluralistic governance in rural Indonesia, focusing on the dynamics, drivers, and challenges of institutional coexistence. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory observations involving village government officials, community leaders, traditional authorities, and civil society actors. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging patterns and conceptual categories. The findings reveal that pluralistic governance in rural Indonesia evolves through three interconnected processes: (1) institutional negotiation between formal regulations and customary norms; (2) collaborative decision-making shaped by shared legitimacy and power relations; and (3) adaptive governance practices influenced by local wisdom, socio-cultural values, and development priorities. Despite its benefits in fostering inclusiveness and social cohesion, pluralistic governance faces challenges such as regulatory ambiguity, power imbalance, and inconsistent policy implementation. This study contributes to the broader discourse on governance reform by demonstrating how pluralism can strengthen rural resilience and participatory governance in Indonesia and similar multi-cultural contexts.