The Indonesian Version Of The Welfare State -By Tomy Michael

Prosperity is often defined as a life of abundance and the elimination of poverty. This thinking is not wrong, as humans are synonymous with pleasure. Prosperity at the state level is the fulfillment of the needs of life for the people, and the state is the ruler. The definition of needs involves restrictions on what people desire. Before technology developed, necessities included food, shelter, and a place of worship. Today, the most important need is the internet. People spend much of their daily time looking at their phones or laptops. This need often negates other needs, such as food or shelter. However, the need for religious practice and prayer is also important today. This means that when people browse the internet, not everyone is looking for pleasant news; each person has the right to define pleasure according to their own preferences.

For example, a pastor might search for the latest sermon material or various versions of Bible study models. I, too, have compared legal studies in Indonesia with news readings in Nigeria. This means that when access to fulfill these desires is available, a welfare state will emerge.

Although the welfare state does not focus on fulfilling economic needs, a prevailing societal mindset exists that all information will be readily available. The Indonesian version of the welfare state can be implemented through the Pancasila ideology, which emphasizes Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). Starting from collective desires, their achievement must also be collective. This has legal implications, as the Western version of the welfare state begins with individual desires. The desires of many individuals differ, so when those desires are achieved, individuals forget the role of the state.

Conversely, when a collective desire begins, and when desires are not met, community groups will make maximum efforts. This means there is a shared goal with the state, and society ultimately cares for the state.

Pancasila teaches that God is the true owner and that justice is social for all nations. When a state acts, it must consider the results for which it is intended. When it acts for its own sake, there must be something that can be felt by the community. What is the essence of a state not having diplomatic relations with other countries? Not having diplomatic relations with other countries does not mean that Indonesians cannot visit them, but rather that it provides a benefit for both parties. Cooperation between countries remains in place, including tourism.

The Indonesian version of the welfare state upholds the fulfillment of human rights, but the public must be aware of whether they have fulfilled their basic obligations. In this reciprocal relationship, the concept of welfare emerges, which can be sustainable. The state fulfills collective desires, and the results are still felt by future generations. Pancasila makes the welfare state an important part of the entire nation. Let’s consider the existence of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 14 of 2019 concerning Social Workers, which states that social work practice services aim to prevent social dysfunction in individuals, families, groups, and communities; restore and improve the social functioning of individuals, families, groups, and communities; and increase the social resilience of communities in facing social welfare issues. Improving the quality of social welfare management in order to achieve individual, family, group, and community independence; and increasing community capacity and concern in the implementation of social welfare in an institutionalized and sustainable manner. The welfare state ultimately guides society to care for itself and the life around it. The Indonesian version of the welfare state is characterized by Pancasila, which has not left a global influence because a country cannot survive without other countries. Likewise, other countries cannot survive without Indonesia, although they have not yet visited each other, but welfare is the ideal of the entire nation.

Tomy Michael is a lecturer at Faculty of Law Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya