Indonesian nationalism is defined more by negation than affirmation due to the absence of a unifying thread to bind the nation’s diverse languages, cultures, and ethnicities together. The country’s founders rejected labels such as East or West, Islamist or secular, and Western-style democracy or left-wing totalitarianism, instead opting for guided democracy or deliberation for a consensus. The only constant in Indonesian nationalism is the idea of a common struggle against imperialist powers. This lack of a clear identity has led to a focus on what Indonesia is not, rather than what it is. Despite this, the country has persevered and developed into a thriving democracy. Subscription to The Jakarta Post offers access to their digital content, including e-Post daily digital newspaper and no advertisements.
