Political and Administrative Dynamics In Public Sector Decision-Making In The Era Of Decentralization

Abstract

This study examines the political and administrative dynamics of public sector decision-making in Indonesia’s era of decentralization. Decentralization is viewed as a key instrument of democratization that not only transfers administrative authority but also reshapes power relations between central and local governments. Using a qualitative, descriptive-analytical approach, this research explores the meanings, perceptions, and interactions among political actors and public administrators in the decision-making process. Data were collected through literature review and policy analysis of post-reform decentralization. The findings reveal that while decentralization provides opportunities for policy innovation and community participation, its implementation faces overlapping authorities, fiscal disparities, and weak vertical coordination. Uneven local administrative capacity further affects service quality, while local political actors such as regional heads and local councils play a decisive role in shaping policy outcomes. These results highlight the need for stronger regulations, improved bureaucratic capacity, and the adoption of adaptive, context-responsive decentralization models to achieve more effective, inclusive, and sustainable local governance.