Gotong royong as social citizenship in Indonesia, 1940s to 1990s

Abstract

This article examines gotong royong as social citizenship in the second half of the twentieth century in Indonesia. Gotong royong was traditionally understood as a collective spirit among neighbours to strengthen economic and social resilience. However, the institutionalisation of the system through massive development programmes since the 1940s has influenced the common people's perception and practice of it. This article argues that the co-option of gotong royong as part of the discourse of nation-state building transformed the popular view of labour and capital mobilisation from an openly critical stance to apparent submission. Gotong royong became a means of social engineering and an ingenious linguistic strategy by which state elites orchestrated control over the making of citizens. Still, Indonesians have remained vigilant of their participation in gotong royong, and about the potential for its misuse by corrupt officials.

Gotong Royong as social capital to overcome micro and small enterprises' capital difficulties

“…Borrowing is based on a sense of togetherness and the obligation to help one another as people who must help one another in life. This condition is done by the community in solving problems of daily life, both for personal and collective interests ( Hadi et al., 2014 ; Rosyani et al., 2019 ; Suwignyo, 2019 ). From the past, an understanding of togetherness was formed by emphasising the concept of brotherhood with the surrounding community.…”

“…The value of Gotong Royong is a form of togetherness in the society which is manifested in the form of Gotong Royong to complete a job, both for personal and community interests. Helping is an action that produces or benefits others, activities that are more beneficial to others than oneself ( Hadi et al., 2014 ; Rosyani et al., 2019 ; Suwignyo, 2019 ). Gotong Royong can take the form of assistance in the form of labour, time or funds ( Rosyani et al., 2019 ).…”

“…The original form of this pattern is the Gotong Royong culture. In the perspective of cultural sociology, Gotong Royong is a spirit manifested in the form of individual behaviour or actions performed without expecting any recompense for working on something together in favour of the common interest or specific individuals ( Koentjaraningrat, 1984 ; Suwignyo, 2019 ). By performing Gotong Royong , various mutual life issues can be solved effortlessly and inexpensively.…”

“…Loans are given voluntarily without taking an interest. This culture is often referred to as social capital owned by the community in solving problems including those related to an economic and social issue ( Susanto, 2016a , b ; Suwignyo, 2019 ; Thobias et al, 2013 ).…”

“…Many studies have been revealing that Gotong Royong as social capital help solves social problems in society. For instance, solve in school operational problems ( Rahayu et al., 2015 ; Suwignyo, 2019 ), infrastructure problems and public facilities ( Rolitia et al., 2016 ; Rosyani et al., 2019 ; Suwignyo, 2019 ; Thobias et al., 2013 ), poverty alleviation problems ( Suwignyo, 2019 ; Unayah, 2017 ), and so on. However, how Gotong Royong as social capital can play as a role in solving business problems has never been discussed before.…”