The term political economy is usually embodied in various policies in the social system of government in the economic field which produce the meaning of material values in society.
The examples included in this case in economic politics are, for example, determining the highest and lowest retail prices of a product.
On the other hand, there is interference on the meaning of ideology that influences the process of economic politics in a country. For example, ideology in liberalism will always strengthen market power over the ability of society.
Economic Politics
Economic politics, also known as economic policy, is a series of methods taken in the form of social actions taken and carried out by the government in the economic field as an effort to achieve the prosperity of its people.
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The practices carried out in political economy can be implemented from the social reality that exists in society in providing resilience and existence.
Examples of Political Economy
As for some examples that are included in economic politics, including;
1. Monetary policy
Monetary policy is a policy that refers to actions or steps taken by a country’s monetary authority to regulate monetary-related issues. This policy was implemented with the aim of regulating the amount of money in circulation, either directly or indirectly.
Although in reality, the amount of money in circulation is not fully determined by the government, the government remains the most responsible actor, both directly and indirectly.
In implementing monetary policy, the amount of money in circulation must be in accordance with the amount of money needed by the public and the level of circulation or transactions of goods and services.
2. Minimum price setting (Floor Price)
Minimum price fixing is a policy taken by the government with the aim of protecting producers. This stipulation seeks to ensure that the selling price of producers is always higher than the cost of production, so that producers can still make a profit and are able to produce goods in a sustainable manner.
It can also be said that the Minimum Price Fixing Policy is a policy taken when the market price is lower than the cost of production. Producers will suffer losses if they sell their products at market prices.
Even so, the market price mechanism does not always run smoothly because it can lead to a black market (a market where prices are set outside the minimum price set by the government).
3. Maximum Pricing Policy (Ceiling Price)
Maximum Price Fixing is a policy taken by the government with the aim of protecting consumers.
This policy determination seeks to ensure that the selling price of producers is not too high to exceed the purchasing power of consumers, so that people are still able to buy goods and services to meet their needs. However, like floor prices , ceiling prices also encourage black markets.
4. Regional Minimum Wage Setting Policy
The Regional Minimum Wage or what is usually abbreviated as UMR is the wage that applies to one province or district/city.
Companies operating in an area must adjust their lowest wage to the minimum wage in that area. The provisions governing the UMR are listed in the Minister of Manpower Regulation Number 10 of 1999 concerning the Minimum Wage.
In this regulation, the UMR can be divided into two, namely: UMR Level I or the minimum wage that applies in one province and UMR Level II or the minimum wage that applies in the regency/municipality area or according to the area of regional economic development or because of the specificity of a particular area.
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5. Export-Import Policy
In simple terms, export can be interpreted as the act of releasing products from within the country to abroad in accordance with the standards of regulations and conditions that apply. As for examples of Indonesian export commodities, those included in the largest export commodity category include rubber, textiles, palm oil, forest products, and cocoa.
Meanwhile, imports can be interpreted as the act of bringing in or entering products from abroad into the country in accordance with applicable standards and regulations. Examples of products imported to Indonesia include wheat.
6. Balance of Payment Policy
The balance of payments is a record containing a summary of transactions that occur between residents of a country and residents of other countries during a certain period of time. The components in the balance of payments include:
- Current account balance
- Capital balance
- Financial balance
- Net calculation difference
- Monetary traffic
7. Foreign Debt Policy
Foreign debt is a state debt originating from creditors from outside the country. Recipients of foreign debt can be governments, companies or individuals.
The source can also be money obtained from private banks, governments of other countries or international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.
Foreign debt can have a positive impact on economic development and increase public savings, because incoming cash flows can increase domestic income and savings, so that foreign debt can produce a positive multiplier effect on the economy.
However, foreign debt can also have a negative impact, as was the case with Indonesia when it was affected by the economic crisis in 1997 to 1998. At that time, the rupiah exchange rate weakened considerably against the US dollar and other world currencies. .
8. International Economic Cooperation Policy
In a broad sense, international economic policy can be said to be an economic policy carried out by the government which directly or indirectly influences all forms of international trade and payments both in terms of composition, direction and others.
These policies include domestic government policies that indirectly affect the wheels of trade and international payments. For example fiscal policy and monetary policy.
9. Foreign Exchange Exchange Policy
Exchange rates can be interpreted as the price or value of a country’s currency as measured by foreign currency when shopping or buying goods abroad. Meanwhile, the term foreign currency refers to the currency of another country.
So that it can be said that foreign exchange rate policy is a policy related to the comparison of values or prices between foreign currencies expressed or exchanged with the value of domestic currency.
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10. Employment Policy
Employment can be interpreted as everything related to various types of labor before, during and after the end of the employment relationship. The Indonesian Government’s policies regarding employment are regulated in Law No. 13 of 2013 concerning Manpower.
Article 5 of the law confirms that every worker has the same opportunity to get a job without any discrimination.
That was an article that could be put forward to all groups regarding examples of political economy that exist in society in everyday life.