THE IRON CAGE OF DIGITAL CORPORATISM: SEBUAH REFLEKSI KRITIS ATAS PRAKTIK KOPERASI DESA/ KELURAHAN MERAH PUTIH (KDKMP)

Abstract

The digital transformation of public administration in Indonesia has accelerated through various national initiatives that rely on digital platforms and partnerships with technology corporations. A prominent program in this trajectory is the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP), projected as a catalyst for village economies and a primary object of institutional cooperative digitalization. This study aims to reflectively and critically examine KDKMP practices using Max Weber’s "iron cage" metaphor and the concept of digital corporatism within the perspective of public administration philosophy. The research employs a qualitative approach with a conceptual case study design, based on an analysis of policy documents, KDKMP portals and dashboards, public news reports, and scholarly literature concerning digital bureaucracy, village cooperatives, and public administration critiques in Indonesia. The findings indicate that while the digitalization of KDKMP offers opportunities to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability, it simultaneously constructs a "digital iron cage" through rigid standardization, datafication, and a high dependency on platforms and digital corporations partnered with the government. This study argues that KDKMP represents a configuration of digital corporatism, wherein the ideals of cooperatives and village autonomy risk being subordinated by technocratic rationality and state-corporate interests. Consequently, a redesign of digital policy and governance is required—one that is more reflective, participatory, and oriented toward social justice.