Bringing Local Wisdom-Based Local Government into Practice: A Quadrant Strategy Analysis

Abstract

Managing local government in a multicultural state is a big challenge. Governing style whether using Continental or Anglo-Saxon style cannot be fully implemented in a multicultural state such as Indonesia. Conflict reconciliation in Aceh Province of Indonesia had left some conceptual anomalies including the practice of local government. Local wisdom-based local government implemented in Aceh made the public curiosity aroused on how it was brought into practice. This research was carried out qualitatively with phenomenological approach focusing on strategy of bringing local wisdom-based local government into practice. The result showed some lessons learned from the phenomenon in Aceh such as the success story of conflict reconciliation although not following the standard conflict reconciliation done in many countries, ‘small gifts’ from Aceh, and conceptual anomalies. We proposed some re-conceptualizations on (1) theory of conflict reconciliation, (2) theory of exit and voice, (3) concept of six dimensions of local government, and (4) concept of separatist movement transformation. The proposed strategy on local wisdom-based local government was based on quadrant strategy analysis which combined the directed system of government and identity. Of the four quadrant strategies, local wisdom-based local government can be realized in scenario Quadrant I which combined the self-directed government (decentralized government) system and cosmopolitan identity. The recommended framework also suggested that both local and national wisdom should be concerned at all stage of governing along with quadrant strategy analysis in order to bring local wisdom-based local government into practice.

Keywords: local government, local wisdom, quadrant strategy, conceptual anomaly