Keywords
Abstract
Development is not only understood as a process of economic growth and physical development, but also as a process of development in social aspects influenced by power relations among various actors in society. This article aims to analyze local power structures in social change within the context of development at the local level, as well as their implications for development policy and social change in Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical design through a literature review of various scientific sources relevant to the study of political elites, local power structures, and social change. The analysis employs an elite theory perspective to explain how elite groups hold dominant positions in public decision-making processes and control the distribution of development resources. The findings indicate that local power structures are formed through interactions among political elites, bureaucracy, economic actors, and community leaders who build both formal and informal power networks, such as political patronage and patron-client relationships. This condition often gives rise to the phenomenon of elite capture which can influence the direction of development policies and potentially exacerbate social inequality. Therefore, more inclusive and participatory development is needed so that development policies can promote fairer and more sustainable social change in society