The politics of population control: A comparative analysis of Indonesia and Nigeria, 1965-1995

Why and how did Indonesia successfully implement its family planning program while Nigeria has failed to do so? This thesis examines the implementation of population control in Indonesia and Nigeria from 1965-1995. Specifically, it analyzes how societal control, administrative deconcentration of policy making and the investment in education affect women's fertility in those two countries. I argue that Indonesia has successfully implemented its population control because it has met those three conditions. The ability of the state to control society encourages the participation and cooperation of local elites in the formulation and implementation of public policies. The transfer of administrative power and discretion to the states empowers local governments and stimulate their commitment to achieve greater results. The investment in girl's education enhances teenagers and females' knowledge about not only the availability of contraceptives, but also the social, economic, and health benefits of their use. This argument is analyzed using a comparative historical analysis and case study methods.