Vol. 9, No. 3, September 2024: 272 - 281 JWP (Jurnal Wacana Politik) ISSN 2502 - 9185 : E-ISSN: 2549-2969 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24198/jwp.v9i3.52909 Submited: 25 January 2024, Accepted: 31 July 2024, Publish: 03 September 2024 THE POLITICS OF THE COMMONS IN POST-NEW ORDER BALI Gede Indra Pramana Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Udayana Kampus Udayana, Jl. PB Sudirman, Denpasar, Bali E-mail: indraprama@unud.ac.id ABSTRACT. This research describes the governance practices of the commons in Bali, including land, water sources, coastal areas, and forests, which are communally owned and managed. The relationship between the state and the community has led to changes in this governance. The author examines the practice of governing the commons in the context of post-New Order Bali, offering an alternative to dominant governance that often overlooks the common welfare. This is a qualitative study that utilizes a case study method to explore alternative governance of the commons in Bali. The study examines the governance of the commons in Tenganan Pegringsingan and the Masyarakat Adat Dalem Tamblingan, and finds that community groups (Sekaa) are directly involved in the management of the commons. Furthermore, it appears that government intervention in village affairs has had detrimental impact. Keywords: Governance; Commons; Customary Village; Bali INTRODUCTION This research endeavors to provide an in-depth exploration of the governance practices surrounding communally owned resources in Bali, including land, water sources, coastal areas, and forests. The longstanding tradition of subak, embodying water governance, has evolved over millennia and reflects the dynamic relationship between the state and the local community. Drawing from studies on subak (Lansing 2006, 2007) and coastal management (Warren, 2005, 2007; Fagertun, 2017; Wardana, 2019), this research seeks to understand the adaptability of these ancient governance practices in the contemporary era. By focusing on Bali, the aim is to propose an alternative model for shared asset governance, rooted in local knowledge and practices, countering prevailing governance approaches that sometimes neglect the essence of shared prosperity. The vision articulated by Governor I Wayan Koster in 2019 for Bali’s development, titled “Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali,” emphasizes maintaining the purity and harmony of Balinese nature. It underscores the goal of realizing a prosperous and happy life for the local community while adhering to the Trisakti Principles of Bung Karno: political sovereignty, economic independence, and personality in culture. Noteworthy in the context of resource governance is the transfer of land managed by the Bali provincial government. Land grants, issued not only to villages but also to various agencies, exemplify the complexity of resource allocation. The Bali Provincial Government’s grant to Desa Adat Buleleng and the land provided for the Balinese Cultural Center’s development by the Klungkung Regency Government showcase these intricate relationships. Adding to the complexity is the regional regulation (Perda) on Customary Villages (Perda No. 4 of 2019) issued by the Bali Provincial Government. This regulation defines the authority of customary villages in Bali and outlines governance structures for village assets, referred to as Padruwen Desa Adat. It explicitly states that village assets cannot be owned by individuals and emphasizes non-transferable ownership arrangements. Decision-making authority rests with the Paruman Desa Adat or village meeting, underscoring the collective nature of Balinese society. Contrastingly, national law asserts that all resources are managed by the state for the greatest prosperity of the people. This sets the stage for a nuanced interplay between constitutional mandates and customary village regulations, potentially leading to competing claims over resource management by both the state and customary entities. The governance challenge becomes palpable when considering the historical oversight by technocrats during the green revolution and the neglect of negative impacts in spatial planning by the government (Lansing 2007; Wardana 2019). The research recognizes the concrete implications of determining when community resource management operates independently and when the state’s presence becomes essential. Perspective on The Commons and Customary Village in Bali There are several contending perspectives in understanding common pool resources. Building on the concept of commons from Garret Hardin to Eleanor Ostrom, this approach seeks to address the problem of common pool resources. Since it’s publication in 1968, Garrett Hardin’s seminal work, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” highlights the potential for resource degradation due to individual interests prioritizing personal gain over the common