Social Science and Human Research Bulletin

This study aims to analyze the relationship between patron-client relations and socio-ecological resilience in rural Indonesia, focusing on how traditional power structures influence the sustainability of natural resource management. The main issue examined is the paradox of patronage systems, which can function as adaptive mechanisms yet simultaneously exacerbate asymmetrical dependence and environmental degradation. The method employed is an Integrated Literature Review (ILR) to synthesize more than 40 empirical studies across disciplines over the last ten years, analyzed through a historical-critical, thematic, and contradiction identification approach. Data were obtained from leading academic databases such as Scopus and Google Scholar, with validity maintained through methodological triangulation and source or document assessment. The research findings indicate that the ecological impacts of patronage are highly dependent on incentive structures and institutional flexibility. Systems with participatory mechanisms and fair benefit-sharing tend to support sustainability, while monopolistic models accelerate environmental degradation. The proposed “Resilience-Power Nexus” framework reveals that optimal social network density is crucial for resilience, as it balances social cohesion and adaptability. In conclusion, transforming patronage toward a collaborative model requires policy interventions that strengthen local institutions, provide sustainable incentives, and facilitate the renegotiation of power relations. These findings underscore the need for an interdisciplinary approach to inclusive and sustainable rural development.

patron-client, socio-ecological resilience, asymmetric access, political ecology.

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