Adaptive Governance After the 2024 General Election in Indonesia

The aftermath of the 2024 general election has produced intense political and social upheaval, with power dynamics permeating state institutions and political structures at every level. The global rise of populism, grounded in a people-elite divide and fueled by dissatisfaction with traditional politics, globalization, and neoliberalism, has clear historical roots in Indonesia, exemplified by leaders such as Sukarno and Jokowi. Today, governmental influence reaches into the judiciary, raising serious concerns about the effective functioning of democracy. Strengthening governance becomes the key means of resisting authoritarian tendencies disguised as populism. This requires a neutral, professional bureaucracy able to serve public needs independently of partisan interests, alongside adaptive and anticipatory governance anchored in merit-based recruitment. A forward-looking government must integrate evidence-based technocratic planning into political agendas and involve the public in oversight from the planning stage. Such an approach, applied from village to national level, can enhance competitiveness while safeguarding democratic principles.