Government Disaster Policy: Dealing Between Political Will and Political Demands

The corona pandemic disaster is a social context that makes policy makers decide various policies to deal with the pandemic. Government policies are the main hope in solving the pandemic problem. Through the functions of regulation, distribution, and control, the government has comprehensive and integrative powers. However, it is often found that there are inconsistencies in the application of government policies originating from different sectors, or between districts and cities. This shows that there are differences in views and orientations in handling the pandemic. It is normal to have differences in policies within government units or bureaucracies between regions, but if this creates disharmony in policy implementation, it is necessary to watch out. This issue has become the focus of discussion in unraveling various problems in synergizing the will and commitment of political leaders and bureaucrats to take action to achieve a set of goals and to maintain political action within the policy framework. The reality of conflicting interests, knowledge frameworks, and rational choice drives distant public decisions. Public policy includes directly or indirectly making ethical judgments. Decisions are made primarily by policy makers through selection and reconciliation of interests represented by individuals, groups and organizations. Public policy is based on a balance of individual and social values. From these values emerge the goals, principles, and styles of implementation and policy interventions.