Journal of Local Government Issues
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): September

Governance Paradox in Regulating Civil Society Organizations in Indonesia

Diah Ayu Pratiwi (Department of Government Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Bina Bangsa, Indonesia)
Ibrahim Sahidjun Miguel (Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College, Philippines)
Yustinus Farid Setyobudi (Department of Government Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Riau Kepulauan, Indonesia)
Meri Enita Puspita Sari (Department of Government Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Riau Kepulauan, Indonesia)
Rahmayandi Mulda (Department of Government Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Riau Kepulauan, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Sep 2026

Abstract

This article examines the governance paradox in regulating civil society organizations (CSOs) in post-Reform Indonesia by analyzing how administrative regulation, securitization, and inter-institutional governance interact within a formally participatory political system. Using qualitative document analysis, the study examines regulations and official governmental and institutional materials, with 2017–2025 as the principal analytical period and earlier regulation as a baseline. The materials were analyzed through deductive and inductive coding and interpretive policy analysis. The findings show that administrative procedures generate organizational visibility, security-oriented categories shape governmental assessments of particular organizations and activities, and inter-institutional arrangements facilitate the coordination of information and supervisory responsibilities across national and subnational institutions. These mechanisms reveal a governance paradox in which broad formal civic participation coexists with administrative capacities for organizational oversight. The article develops the concept of administrative surveillance governance to explain how administrative visibility, security-oriented interpretation, and inter-institutional coordination can become partially coupled within a formally participatory governance system.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

LOGOS

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

The LOGOS accepts article drafts in the field of local government issues. Papers with following topics (but not limited to): Public Policy, Policy of City Management, Legislation Processes, Disaster Management, Social Movement, Conflict Management, Social Empowerment, and Local Elites of Political ...