Characteristic and Social Processes of Poverty Reduction in Rural Community: An Empirical Finding

Abstract

Indonesia faces really serious problems of poverty.  Data from Central Bureau of Statistics or BPS in September 2012 showed that the number of the poor was 28.59 million people or 11.66% and it was found mostly in rural areas.  In the same period, the number of the poor in rural areas was 18,594,600 or 14.70%.  The Government has implemented various poverty reduction programs, such as rice for the poor, direct cash assistance, a public health insurance program, Gerdu Taskin, and the National Program for Community Empowerment.  In the implementation of the programs, there are various problems such as demonstrations, protests, and conflict.   The findings showed that the government had tried to address and reduce poverty through such programs.  However, the programs were less effective because they were charitable, short-term, direct, and populists. In addition, the government used the wrong paradigm in understanding poverty, which used basic need approach.  The research data also showed that poverty in rural areas is more absolute, it was proven by low income, no valuable assets and unability to meet the basic needs.  Cultural and structural factors intertwined into the determinants of poverty.   Moreover, in implementing poverty reduction followed by the social processes such as accommodation, conflict, and the contravention.

Keywords: poverty, poverty reduction, rural poverty, absolute poverty, accomodation, contravension, conflict