CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL PROBLEM: AGRARIAN CONFLICT

Abstract

Purpose: Agrarian conflict is the outcome of the land policy that includes problems in land administration and land use. This research aims to analyse the agrarian conflict phenomenon as one of the contemporary social problems in Indonesia by referring to the aspects of agrarian conflict causes, agrarian conflict as a social problem, and impacts and resolutions of agrarian conflict. Methodology: This research adopted a descriptive qualitative method. The data were collected by studying literature and previous research. Causes of agrarian conflict included agrarian reform policy that was still blocked by the disorganised land administration, corruption issue, and land control of some groups. Main Findings: That condition shoved various moves to generate resistance, notably people who suffered from the poor agrarian reform policy that resulted in agrarian conflict. The agrarian conflict occurred in several sectors such as plantation, property, infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, marine, and mining. In each sector, agrarian conflict was caused by distinct factors. Agrarian conflict is classified as a social problem since it is undergone by many people; it is an unpleasant situation, and it is a condition demanding a resolution that must be done through collective social action. Impacts of agrarian conflict involved casualties, criminalisation, and job losses, which were suffered by people as the victims of the conflict. Efforts to resolve agrarian conflict generally adopt litigation and non-litigation approaches. The litigation approach is performed in court, while a non-litigation approach is carried out via negotiation, mediation, repressive approach, and community-based approach through the empowerment of local people. Implications: In resolving agrarian conflicts, it is recommended to adopt a non-litigation approach to achieve conflict resolution as a win-win solution and prioritise the parties’ concerns involved in the conflict. One of the non-litigation approaches is known as community-based conflict resolution. Novelty/Originality of this study: The current study is unique as it contributes to the literature by highlighting the conflict and problems aroused in the agrarian society and reforms developed against them. It will also shed light on the agrarian conflict phenomenon as one of the contemporary social problems in Indonesia.