Reassessing the strategic significance of social and economic approaches in Indonesia's deradicalization programs

Indonesia has long been at the forefront of counterterrorism efforts in Southeast Asia, implementing various deradicalization programs to address the persistent threat of radicalization. While security-based measures have been widely utilized, social and economic approaches have gained increasing attention as essential components of long-term deradicalization strategies. This study critically examines the strategic integration of social and economic approaches within Indonesia’s deradicalization program, with a particular focus on addressing the pressing challenge of reintegrating former terrorists into society. The primary objective of the research is to assess the efficacy of these approaches in mitigating the risk of recidivism while fostering sustainable reintegration. Adopting a descriptive-qualitative methodology, data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and former terrorists, complemented by an extensive literature review utilizing Scopus-indexed sources. The findings of this study emphasize the indispensable role of social support from families and communities in reducing the propensity of former terrorists to reengage with extremist groups. Concurrently, economic empowerment emerges as a critical factor in enabling these individuals to reconstruct their lives and contribute positively to society. Economic aspects such as poverty, unemployment need to be considered by policy makers to foster the economic independence of former terrorist inmates. So that they do not return to radicalism. This study emphasizes the necessity of collaborative efforts involving the government, families, communities, businesses, and former terrorists to ensure the program's effectiveness. The insights derived from this research carry significant implications for policy development and implementation, offering a robust framework for enhancing deradicalization strategies and promoting long-term societal stability.