Dinamika identitas nasional Indonesia

Antara upaya integrasi nasional dan tantangan konflik horizontal

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the contradiction between efforts to strengthen national integration and the rising challenges of horizontal conflicts that threaten the stability of Indonesian national identity. As a highly diverse nation, Indonesia continuously strives to weave unity through the ideological consensus of Pancasila. However, current social dynamics indicate that national identity often clashes with the strengthening of primordial sentiments and sectoral egos. The research method employed is descriptive qualitative with a literature review approach, examining various political sociology literatures and secondary data regarding communal conflicts over the past decade. The results show that while formal integration instruments are well-established, sociological integration at the grassroots level still faces serious obstacles due to the politicization of identity and inequality in the distribution of economic resources. Emerging horizontal conflicts tend to be triggered by the manipulation of ethnic, religious, and racial issues in political contests, which widens the gap between groups. The study concludes that strengthening national identity cannot be achieved solely through security or ceremonial approaches. An inclusive reorientation of character education and public policies capable of addressing the roots of social injustice are required. The synergy between local wisdom and modern values is key to mitigating the potential for disintegration and ensuring sustainable national stability amidst existing diversity.