The Influence of Human Capital and Welfare on the Quality of Democracy in Indonesia

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe relationship between democracy and human development as a part of welfare has been a long debate among scholars, and lately it becomes increasingly important to question, especially for countries that are on the one hand now change their political structure, while on the other hand also fights in the welfare of its people, including in Indonesia. This study focuses on analyzing the relationship between democracy and human development, and the process of democracy in Indonesia from the aspect of failure or the success of democracy as a means of achieving the well-being of the Indonesian people. The important issues examined are to explore and explain the factors of legitimacy of democracy, and their impression of human development in Indonesia. This research question, which is: discussing the condition of democracy in Indonesia during the Administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; discussing the political policies undertaken to create human development; analyze the relation between democracy and human development in Indonesia. Democracy in this study is considered as an independent variable, while human development is a dependent variable that relies on indicators of human development index. This thesis uses a qualitative approach supported by quantitative data, using purposive sampling techniques, and triangulation data collection techniques. The findings of this study, first, Indonesia have generally succeeded in strengthening the democratic political system, although there is still much dissatisfaction with the performance of a poor democratic institution. Secondly, democratic transition process in Indonesia tends to move forward, but still continues to position Indonesia in procedural democracy category, but has not yet reached the substantive democracy. Thirdly, during the administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono there was an increase in the achievement of the human development index marked by an increase in the level of public education, health and purchasing power of the community, but could not eliminate the overall. Theoretical implications of this study, though it confirms the various theories and arguments that democracy can promote human development of society, but the case in Indonesia is very slow and insignificant.Keywords: democracy, reform, policy, human development