What the study found
The study found that the decline of LBH Kalbar is tied to a deeper ideological conflict, not just technical problems or personal shortcomings. It describes how NGOization, managerialism, and a fragmented civic space have undermined the movement's emancipatory aims and altered internal power relations.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the findings matter because the legal aid movement's original goal was to build political and legal consciousness among marginalized groups. They suggest that revitalizing the movement requires reconfiguring power relations through greater regional autonomy and dialogical, participatory governance.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used an empirical legal approach informed by socio-legal ethnography and participant observation. They studied the organizational dynamics, work culture, and advocacy practices of LBH Kalbar through participant observation as an external supporter in project-based initiatives and advocacy programmes, and they used internal documents obtained with institutional permission as secondary data.
What worked and what didn't
The findings indicate that advocacy shifted away from community organizing and toward performance-driven project work. The study reports associated depoliticization, weakened solidarity, activist burnout, discriminatory governance practices, and disciplinary mechanisms including standardization, performance metrics, symbolic surveillance, and organizational restructuring.
What to keep in mind
The abstract focuses on one case, the hierarchical relationship between LBH Kalbar and YLBHI in West Kalimantan. It does not describe broader comparative cases, and additional limitations are not described in the available summary.
Key points
- The decline of LBH Kalbar is presented as an ideological conflict rather than a technical failure.
- NGOization and managerialism are described as redirecting advocacy toward performance-driven project work.
- The study reports depoliticization, weakened solidarity, activist burnout, and discriminatory governance practices.
- Power is described as operating through standardization, performance metrics, symbolic surveillance, and organizational restructuring.
- The authors suggest greater regional autonomy and participatory governance as part of revitalization.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- NGOization is linked to crisis in West Kalimantan legal aid
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-25
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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