From Critical Diagnosis to Progressive Reconstruction: An Integrative Model of Future-Oriented Indonesian Legal Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59240/kjsk.v6i2.594Keywords:
Legal Development, Critical Legal Theory, Progressive Law, Substantive JusticeAbstract
This article proposes an integrative model for future-oriented legal development in Indonesia by combining critical legal theory and progressive law within a unified analytical and prescriptive framework. Legal reform in Indonesia has predominantly focused on normative and procedural adjustments, yet persistent structural problems remain, including weak management of legal pluralism, the dominance of formalism, institutional bias, and unequal access to justice. This study employs normative legal research using conceptual, statutory, and historical-contextual approaches. Critical legal theory is applied as a diagnostic instrument to uncover power relations and structural injustices embedded in legal design and practice. Progressive law is subsequently positioned as a prescriptive framework to reconstruct law toward substantive justice through contextual interpretation and the protection of vulnerable groups. To ensure accountability and prevent subjectivism, the proposed model incorporates an accountability lock-in mechanism grounded in substantive rule of law, constitutional control, and reason-giving requirements. This study contributes both theoretical insight and a practical roadmap for developing a more just and accountable legal system in Indonesia.
References
Aagaard, Todd. "Compensating Regulatory Losers." University of Illinois Law Review 2025, no. 2 (2025): 555–608.
Abubakari, Mohammed, Kwaku Owusu Twum, and Gertrude Amissah Asokwah. "From Conflict to Cooperation: The Trajectories of Large Scale Land Investments on Land Conflict Reversal in Ghana." Land Use Policy 94 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104543.
Achmad Hariri, and Basuki Babussalam. "Legal Pluralism: Concept, Theoretical Dialectics, and Its Existence in Indonesia." Walisongo Law Review (Walrev) 6, no. 2 (2024): 146–70. https://doi.org/10.21580/walrev.2024.6.2.25566.
Ali Safa'at, Muchamad, and Milda Istiqomah. "Critical Legal Studies (CLS): An Alternative for Critical Legal Thinking in Indonesia." Petita: Journal of Legal and Sharia Studies 7, no. 1 (2022): 11–20. https://doi.org/10.22373/petita.v7i1.122.
Amaritasari, Indah Pangestu, Faculty of Law, Bhayangkara University, Greater Jakarta, and West Java. "Legal Politics of Indonesian National Legal Development in the Perspective of Legal Theory and Legal Philosophy." SCIENTISTS: International Conference on Scientific Studies, 2023, 36–44.
Amelia, Syinta. "Progressive Legal Approach to Modern Community Law Enforcement in Indonesia." Pancasila and Law Review 4, no. 1 (2023): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.25041/plr.v4i1.2729.
Arfiansyah, and Adriaan Bedner. "Forum-Shopping in Criminal Law: Power and Pragmatism in Gayo, Aceh, Indonesia." Legal Pluralism and Critical Social Analysis 56, no. 3 (2024): 479–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/27706869.2024.2385233.
Radcliffe D'Angelo and D'Angelo. "Moral Values and Progressive Judgess Position in Law Enforcement in the Indonesian Judicial System." International Journal of Social Science and Human Research 7, no. 05 (2024): 2984–89. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v7-i05-54.
Azzahra etal, Aisyah, Kuswan Hadji, Aisyah Azzahra, Cheren Azizah Zain, Saiva Wulandari, Yunita Nurul Arifah, and Diah Ayu Wahyu Nurhidayati. "Implementation of Good Governance in the Perspective of State Institutions of the Constitutional Court." Judge : Journal of Law 06, no. 1 (2025): 179. https://journal.cattleyadf.org/index.php/Judge/index.
Bawono, B. T. "State Responsibility in Providing Free Legal Aid for the Poor in Indonesia." International Journal of Law 11, no. 1 (2025): 107–112.
Bell, Gary F. "Conflicts of Laws and Jurisdictions in Indonesia- Related Arbitrations Seated in Singapore – Perspectives from the Tribunal." Indonesia Law Review 12, no. 1 (2022): 33–55. https://doi.org/10.15742/ilrev.v12n1.3.
Goodbye, Mirza Satria. "Legal-Political Paradigm of Indonesian Constitutional Court: Defending a Principled Instrumentalist Court." Constitutional Review 6, no. 1 (2020): 36–66. https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev612.
Coloay, Juneidi D. "The Constitutional Court's Role in the Protection of Citizen's Constitutional Rights: A Review of Monumental Decisions." Barelang Journal of Legal Studies 1, no. 2 (2023): 151–67.
Mr. Riza Damanik. "An Analysis of the Constitutional Court Ruling On the Annulment of the Provisions on Coastal Water Concessions (HP-3)." Indonesia Law Review 3, no. 2 (2013). https://doi.org/10.15742/ilrev.v3n2.35.
Daryoko, and Elza Qorina Pangestika. "The Role of Responsive and Progressive Law In Addressing Legal Issues From A Sociological Perspective." Law Ethics 6, no. 2 (2024): 190–202.
Desireu, Arnaud, Adam Levai, and Michèle Schmiegelow. "Access to Justice and Economic Development: Evidence from an International Panel Dataset." European Economic Review 172 (2025): 104947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104947.
Dewi, Sari Amalia, Aloysius Uwiyono, and Rosdiana Saleh. "A Juridical Study of Constitutional Court Decision No. 58 / PUU- VIII / 2010 on the Right to Education and Non-Discrimination in Indonesia." The Eastern Journal Law and Human Rights 4, no. 01 (2025): 43–51. https://doi.org/10.58812/eslhr.v4i01.
Fajri, Riyan Al. "Facing Legal Uncertainty : Challenges of Corporate Law and Environmental Regulation for Sustainable Business Practices in Indonesia." Journal of Social Research 4 (2025): 726–34.
Fathi, Muhammad, Aisyah Ajeng Putri Riyanto, Nanik Prasetyoningsih, and Muhammad Nur Rifqi Amirullah. "From Guardians to Threats ? Abusive Judicial Review and Public Distrust." IUS QUIA IUSTUM 32 legal journal, no. September (2025): 505–27. https://doi.org/10.20885/iustum.vol32.iss2.art10.
Fitzpatrick, Daniel. "Dispute and Plularism in Modern Indonesian Land Law." Yale Journal of International Law 22, no. 1 (1997): 171–212.
Fleming, James E, Linda C Mcclain, Linda C Mcclain, and James E Fleming. "Scholarly Commons at Boston University School of Law Constitutionalism, Judicial Review, and Progressive Change Book Review Essay Constitutionalism, Judicial Review, and Progressive Change," 2005.
Hakim, Lukman, Qatrunnada Hamparan Melati, and Purnawan Dwikora Negara. "Integrating Adat Law in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities in a Centralized Legal Framework." Indonesian State Law Review 8, no. 1 (2025): 58–82. https://doi.org/10.15294/islrev.v8i1.19628.
Harahap, Anggi Purnama, Ana Ramadhona, Maulidina Sari, and Nurul Laylan Hasibuan. "Legal Pluralism and Customary Justice in Indonesia: Reconstructing Adat Law under State Legal Dominance." Littera Legis: Journal of Law, Society, and Justice 1, no. 1 (2025): 1–16.
Hariri, Achmad, A Basuki Babussalam, and Muhammad Aunurrochim Mas'ad Saleh. "Between Legality and Justice : A Critical Study of the Supreme Court's Judicial Reasoning in Dispute of the Awyu Customary Forest." Journal of Jurisprudence 15, no. 2 (2025): 146–76. https://doi.org/10.23917/jurisprudence.v15i2.11442.
Herliana, Herliana. "Ensuring Certainty through Legal Reasoning: What Can Indonesia Learn from the United Kingdom and the Unites States?" Journal of Jurisprudence 13, no. 2 (2024): 318–38. https://doi.org/10.23917/jurisprudence.v13i2.3057.
Housing Rights Legislation. "Housing Rights Legislation: Review of International and National Legal Instruments." Geneva: United Nations Housing Rights Programme. Nairobi: UN-HABITAT, 2002.
Huarcaya, Valeria, and Rafael Quispe. "Socioeconomic Inequality and Access To Justice: A Comparative Analysis Of Legal Aid Systems." International Journal of Sociology and Law 1, no. 1 (2024): 25–29. https://international.appihi.or.id/index.php/IJSL/article/view/268.
Ikbal, and Gabriella Almasari Datuan. "Legal Assistance for Underprivileged Communities to Access Justice within the Human Rights Perspective." Lampung Journal of International Law 5, no. 2 (2023): 93–102. https://doi.org/10.25041/lajil.v5i2.3258.
Irianto, Sulistyowati. "Legal Education for the Future of Indonesia: A Critical Assessment." Indonesian Journal of Socio-Legal Studies 1, no. 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.54828/ijsls.2021v1n1.1.
Kafara, M. R. "Criticism of Pure Legal Theory Thought Critical Legal Studies (CLS) and Its Relevance to the Indonesian Legal System." BIRCI-Journal, 2022, 27786–97.
Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving. "The Paradox of Positivistic View and Progressive Law of Criminal Law Enforcement in Indonesia." Journal of Legal Media 20, no. 2 (2013). https://journal.umy.ac.id/index.php/jmh/article/view/269.
Kumar, Virat, Aditya Khilari, and Law Student. "Natural Law and Positive Law: Bridging Morality and Legal Certainty." Birla Global University Volume 11, no. 12 (2024): 869–74.
Kurniawan, Itok Dwi. "Rethinking Law and Justice: The Core Principles of Critical Legal Studies against Legal Formalism Vincentius." Nusantara: Journal of Law Studies 3, no. 2 (2025): 74–85. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17332128.
Kurniawan, Itok Dwi, and Suyatno. "Realizing Substantive Justice Enforcement Through the Implementation of Progressive Law." Arus International: Interdisciplinary Journal of Education, Humanities, Law, and Social Entrepreneurship 1, no. 1 (2025): 8–15.
Latif, Abdul, and Arivan Halim. "Judicial Control over Government's Abuse of Authority through Administrative and Corruption Law." Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Science 3, no. 2 (2023): 125–31. https://doi.org/10.55324/ijoms.v3i2.732.
Lukman, Raif Maulana, and Fitri Kartiasih. "Estimating the Shadow Economy at the Provincial Level in Indonesia: A MIMIC Model Approach." Indonesian Economic Journal 14, no. 1 (2025): 54–68. https://doi.org/10.52813/jei.v14i1.561.
Maharani, Marsha, Bestha Inatsan Ashila, Siti Ismaya, Aisyah Assyifa, Dio Ashar Wicaksana, Naomi Rehulina Barus, and Muhammad Ad'har Nasir. The Role of Legal Empowerment by the Community in Strengthening Access to Justice for Women in Conflict with the Law in Indonesia. Edited by Yvonna Kezia D. Nafi and Translator: 1st ed. Jakarta: Indonesia Judicial Research Society, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Alternative Law Groups (ALG), 2023.
Manse, Maarten. "The Plural Legacies of Legal Pluralism: Local Practices and Contestations of Customary Law in Late Colonial Indonesia." Legal Pluralism and Critical Social Analysis 56, no. 3 (2024): 328–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/27706869.2024.2377447.
Mardiana, Yuvita Tri, Fendi Setyawan, Muhammad Arief Amrullah, Ayu Herlin Norma Yunita, and Dametken Medikhanovna Turekulova. "Reconstructing Prosecutorial Epistemology for Substantive Justice in Contract Law : A Comparative Philosophical and International Legal Analysis of Indonesia and Kazakhstan." PATTIMURA Legal Journal 4, no. 3 (2025): 234–53. https://doi.org/10.47268/pela.v4i3.22780.
Martitah. "Why Legitimacy Matters in Times of Uncertainty: A Critical Study of the Success Story of the Constitutional Court of Indonesia." Asia-Pacific Social Science Review 19, no. 1 (2019): 233–39.
Maulana, Mohammad Ilham, Mohammad Alauddin, and Alex Umein. "Possible Abuse Of Authority By State Administrnistrative Officers In The Development And Implementation Of Public Policies." Awang Long Law Review 4, no. 1 (2021): 110–17.
McGuire, Hannah. "Indonesian Law Reform and the Promotion of Justice: An Analysis of Law Reform in the Post-Soeharto Period." Brawijaya Law Journal 3, no. 1 (2016): 60–78. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.blj.2016.00301.04.
Moyn, Samuel. "Reconstructing Critical Legal Studies." Yale Law Journal 134, no. 1 (2024): 77–122. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4531492.
Muchtarom, Achmad, and Megawati Barthos. "Strategy for Strengthening the Implementation of Progressive Law in the Republic of Indonesia National Police." International Journal of Social Service and Research 5, no. 6 (2025): 588–95. https://doi.org/10.46799/ijssr.v5i6.1246.
Muchtarom, Achmad, and Azis Budianto. "Progressive Legal Reform as an Effort to Address Inequality in Law Enforcement and Strengthen Social Cohesion in Indonesia." JGSP: Journal of Social and Political Greenation 3, no. 4 (2026): 866–74. https://doi.org/10.38035/jgsp.v3i4.
Muhammad Ridwan Hidayat, Suteki Suteki, and Jean Claude Geofrey Mahoro. "Legal Wisdom in Indonesian Legal System: Toward Progressive Law Enforcement." Judiciary 10, no. 3 (2024): 518–34. https://doi.org/10.33506/js.v10i3.3198.
Munger, Frank, and Carroll Seron. "Critical Legal Studies versus Critical Legal Theory: A Comment on Method." Law & Policy 6, no. 3 (1984): 257–97. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9930.1984.tb00326.x.
Neuvonen, Päivi Johanna. "A Way of Critique: What Can EU Law Scholars Learn from Critical Theory?" European Law Open 1, no. 1 (2022): 60–88. https://doi.org/10.1017/elo.2022.7.
Perdana, Muhammad Anugerah, Muhammad Hamzah Al Faruq, and Garuda Era Ruhpinesthi. "A Prophetic Law Perspective on Judicial Independence of the Indonesian Constitutional Court: Looking Back on 20 Years." Prophetic Law Review 6, no. 1 (2024): 71–97. https://doi.org/10.20885/PLR.vol6.iss1.art4.
Prasetyo, Ramadhan Dwi, Nurrahim Hasan Al Banna, Naufal Nafis Ardana, and Muhammad Fakhri Kurniawan. "Analysis of Justice Inequality in Indonesia: A Blurry Portrait of Law Favoring Power." Pancasila: Indonesian Journal 05, no. 1 (2025): 2797–3018. https://doi.org/10.52738/pjk.v5i1.728.
Promise, Yogi. "Social Reality as Legal Authenticity (Criticism of Bad Positive Laws in Legislation)." Fiat Justisia: Journal of Legal Studies 15, no. 3 (2021): 255–68. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v15no3.2194.
Prihandono, Iman, and Ekawestri Prajwalita Widiati. "Regulatory Capture in Energy Sector: Evidence from Indonesia." Theory and Practice of Legislation 11, no. 3 (2023): 207–31. https://doi.org/10.1080/20508840.2023.2248837.
Rahmat, Basuki, and Asep Nurjaman. "The Intersections of Politics, Law and Social Stratification in Indonesia." International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education 11, no. 10 (2024): 36–44. https://doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.1110004.
Ramadan, Tubagus Ahmad, and Subianta Mandala. "Deconstructing Intentionality: Legal Fallacies in The Indonesian Criminal Code's Approach to Mens Rea." Asian Journal of Social and Humanities 3, no. 9 (2025): 1637–48. https://doi.org/10.59888/ajosh.v3i9.564.
Ramadani, Jaka Mahisya, Wildan Abyan Firdaus, Mia Milyanti, Irma Maulida, and Gusti Yosi Andri. "Progressive Legal Perspective on Legal Certainty over Land Ownership in Genteng Village." Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Science 3, no. 12 (2024). https://doi.org/10.55324/ijoms.v3i12.913.
Rufaidah, Rufaidah, and Nanik Prasetyoningsih. "Enforcement of Human Rights Law in a Progressive Legal Framework Based on the Paniai Case in Papua." Media of Law and Sharia 4, no. 2 (2023): 171–83. https://doi.org/10.18196/mls.v4i2.16.
Salam, Safrin, La Gurusi, La Ode, Muhammad Karim, Cynthia C Izu, and Rasmala Dewi. "An Analysis of Legal Considerations of Judicial Decisions on Customary Land Disputes: A Comparison of Indonesia and Africa." Jurisprudence 15, no. 1 (2025): 22–42. https://doi.org/10.23917/jurisprudence.v15i1.7082.
Sembiring, Ferdinand, and Yasmirah Mandasari Saragih. "Legal Certainty In Financial Disputes: Case Resolution: Progressive Legal Perspective." Journal of Progressive Law and Legal Studies 2, no. 02 (2024): 152–62. https://doi.org/10.59653/jplls.v2i02.845.
Sidin, Rasji. "Legal Solution Testing Policy Regulations in Indonesia." Journal of Law and Sustainable Development 11, no. 8 (2023): e1437. https://doi.org/10.55908/sdgs.v11i8.1437.
Sukamto, Hasim, Hulman Panjaitan, and Paltiada Saragi. "Legal Protection for Foreign Investors at Normative and Implementation Levels in Indonesia." International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice 2, no. 2 (2025): 46–53.
Sukmana, Teja. "Responsive Law and Progressive Law: Examining the Legal Ideas of Philip Nonet, Philip Selznick, and Sadjipto Raharjo." Civilization Journal of Law and Society 2, no. 1 (2023): 92–105. https://doi.org/10.59001/pjls.v2i1.82.
Sundari, Elizabeth. "Legal Aid Scheme in Indonesia: Between the Policy and the Implementation." Ius Quia Iustum 20 Legal Journal, no. 4 (2014): 545–62. https://doi.org/10.20885/iustum.vol20.iss4.art3.
Surya, Axcelia Deandra. "Balancing Formalism and Justice: An Analysis of Indonesian Supreme Court's Obscuur Libel Case Law in Light of ECtHR Standards." Jurist-Diction 8, no. 2 (2025): 193–204. https://doi.org/10.20473/jd.v8i2.71240.
Susanto, Joko, Henry Pelupessy, Irawan Irawan, Rinanda Asrian Ilmanta Rian, and Muhammad Alfin Aufillah Zen. "Analysis of Journalist Criminal Case Settlement from the Perspective of Progressive Legal Theory." Journal of Progressive Law and Legal Studies 3, no. 01 (2025): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.59653/jplls.v3i01.1215.
Syamsudin, M. "Formulating the Concept of Progressive Judge in Handling Corruption Cases in Indonesia." Prophetic Law Review 3, no. 1 (2021): 40–58. https://doi.org/10.20885/PLR.vol3.iss1.art3.
Tama, Rifqi Anugrah, Mohamad Ikrom, Edward Dixon, Ngaboawaji Daniel Nte, and Siti Hafsyah Idris. "The Role of Legal Empowerment Based Advocacy for Rural Communities on Structural Social Inequality." Indonesian Journal of Advocacy and Legal Services 5, no. 1 (2023): 161–80. https://doi.org/10.15294/ijals.v5i2.68240.
Tomagola, Ardy Gunawan, Wahid Yaurwarin, Jakobus Anakletus Rahajaan, Agustinus Jonas Sahetapy, and Reni Wahyuni Kalauw. "The Effectiveness of Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Law on Legal Reform and Implementation." Western Science Law and Human Rights 2, no. 03 (2024): 251–58. https://doi.org/10.58812/wslhr.v2i03.1129.
Yours truly, Aloysius. "Indonesian Labor Reform Since 1998." Indonesian Journal of International Law 5, no. 4 (2008). https://doi.org/10.17304/ijil.vol5.4.182.
Warman, Kurnia, Saldi Isra, and Hilaire Tegnan. "Enhancing Legal Pluralism: The Role of Adat and Islamic Laws within the Indonesian Legal System." Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues 21, no. 3 (2018): 1–9.
West, Robin L. "Is Progressive Constitutionalism Possible?" Widener Law Symposium Journal 4, no. 1 (1999): 1–18.
Wijayanti, Septi Nur, Tanto Lailam, and Kelik Iswandi. "Progressive Legal Approaches of the Constitutional Justice Reasoning on Judicial Review Cases: Challenges or Opportunities?" Law Reform: Journal of Law Reform 21, no. 2 (2025): 219–40. https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v21i2.66334.
Wildasari, Fitria, and Cekli Setya Pratiwi. "Forum Shopping in Environmental Permit Disputes: A Socio-Legal Approach to Legal Workability in Indonesia." Ekasakti Legal Science Journal 2, no. 3 (2025): 200–208. https://doi.org/10.60034/1rt99q43.
Wodajo, Kebene. "Mapping (in)Visibility and Structural Injustice in the Digital Space." Journal of Responsible Technology 9, no. August 2021 (2022): 100024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrt.2022.100024.
Wong, Jarrod, and Jason Yackee. "Transparency, Accountability, and Influence in the International Investment Law System." Michigan Journal of International Law 46, no. 46.1 (2025): 121. https://doi.org/10.36642/mjil.46.1.transparency.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Wachid Baihaqi, Mukhsin Achmad
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
