Between Welfare and Populism: A Critical Analysis Of The Free Nutritious Meal Program Under The Prabowo Subianto Administration

Abstract

Social transformation is a fundamental process involving changes in social structures, patterns of interaction, cultural values, and societal institutions. This article critically analyzes the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) under the administration of Prabowo Subianto by positioning it at the intersection of social welfare policy and political populism. This study employs a qualitative approach using critical content analysis of government policy documents, academic literature, and reports from relevant institutions. The analysis focuses on how MBG simultaneously functions as an instrument of social investment and as a mechanism for constructing political legitimacy. The findings indicate that MBG displays characteristics of welfare populism, referring to a condition in which social policy operates not only as a mechanism for redistributing welfare but also as a means of building a direct symbolic relationship between the state and society. On the one hand, the program reflects a social investment paradigm oriented toward long-term human capital development through nutritional intervention. On the other hand, its implementation continues to face various challenges, including structural inequalities, concerns regarding fiscal sustainability, and the blurred boundary between welfare rationality and political calculation. This study contributes to the development of the literature on welfare populism and political legitimacy in the context of contemporary Indonesian democracy.