Discovering and Analysing Ways to Optimise National Economic Development Through Rural Autonomy

Abstract

Rural autonomy is concept that was born based on the village initiative, not gift from the state (government). Rural autonomy even became basic idea in shaping the Indonesian State and also implementing decentralization. Rural autonomy should not be understood as derivative or branch of regional autonomy.  Recognition of rural autonomy according to Bagir Manan  , there are two things that must be considered. First, rural government does not have to always use the  name village. Allowed to use names according to the character of village customs, such as hamlets, clans, nagari, meunasah, and so on. Second, recognition of genuine autonomy. The village existence as a government, should be able to be utilized by the government to increase national growth, both in the economic, social, cultural and political fields. This is considering that historically, villages have the ability to be independent in carrying out village management. The problem is recognition of rural autonomy has not yet been fully delivered, meaning that the government is still hesitant to maximize rural autonomy. Villages can manage village natural resources, but it turns out that the authority for managing natural resources is mostly borne by the regional government through other regulations. It is as if the village is given authority, but it is limited by other regulations. As result the village is unable to develop independently.