Paradoks Perlindungan Sosial: Analisis Kesenjangan antara Kebijakan dan Praktik Penyaluran Bantuan Sosial di Kabupaten Merauke

Abstract

Social protection is a crucial policy instrument in efforts to reduce poverty and social inequality; however, in practice, it is often confronted with gaps between policy design and implementation at the local level. This study aims to analyze the paradox of social protection by examining the discrepancies between policy frameworks and the actual practices of social assistance distribution in Merauke Regency, a peripheral region characterized by complex social and geographical conditions. This research adopts a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis, and subsequently analyzed using an interactive data analysis model with a thematic approach. The findings reveal several forms of implementation gaps, including targeting inaccuracies, unequal access to social assistance across regions, and issues related to data accuracy and synchronization. These findings indicate that limited institutional capacity, weak coordination among stakeholders, and insufficient adaptation of policies to local contexts are key factors affecting the effectiveness of social assistance distribution. The study concludes that although social protection policies in Indonesia are normatively designed to ensure equity and inclusiveness, their implementation in peripheral regions continues to face structural and contextual challenges. Therefore, more adaptive, context-sensitive, and participatory policy approaches are required to mitigate the social protection paradox and enhance the effectiveness of social assistance delivery at the local level.