Pancasila
Pancasila is the official state philosophy of Indonesia, consisting of five interrelated principles that are viewed as essential to the nation's identity. These principles encompass belief in God, a just and humane society, national unity, democracy, and social justice for all citizens. The term "Pancasila" derives from two Sanskrit words, with "panca" meaning "five" and "sila" meaning "principle." Initially articulated by Sukarno, one of Indonesia's founding fathers, Pancasila is enshrined in the 1945 Indonesian constitution and reflects the country's commitment to democratic governance and respect for human dignity.
As Indonesia is a Muslim-majority nation, the first principle acknowledges belief in a monotheistic deity without establishing a state religion, allowing for religious diversity. The emphasis on unity recognizes the country's vast ethnic and cultural diversity while promoting national cohesion. The principles also advocate for a democratic process that respects humanitarian values and social justice, ensuring equitable distribution of resources to support all citizens. Pancasila Day, celebrated annually on June 1, commemorates its introduction and underscores its significance as a cornerstone of Indonesian national identity.
Pancasila
Pancasila, pronounced pan-cha-see-la, is the official state philosophy of Indonesia. It includes five related principles that are considered inseparable from one another. These principles include belief in God, a just and humane civilization, national unity, democracy, and the equitability of all Indonesian citizens. The term Pancasila is an amalgamation of two Sanskrit words: panca, which means "five," and sila, which means "principle."
The concept of Pancasila was first introduced by Sukarno, one of Indonesia's founding fathers and the country's first president. Pancasila forms an integral part of the Indonesian national identity, and is referenced in the country's constitution and official coat of arms. It is also the namesake of an Indonesian national holiday.
Background
Prior to its independence, the present-day country of Indonesia was known as the Dutch East Indies. The region first came under the colonial control of the Netherlands in 1602, when the Dutch East India Company was founded. Dutch control of Indonesia continued well into the twentieth century, but by the 1930s, the tide of Indonesian nationalism was rising. Indonesian nationalists first submitted a formal petition for independence to the Dutch in 1938, but it was rejected. However, the nationalist cause found new opportunity during World War II (1939–1945), during which the Netherlands was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany.
Japan, as part of the Axis powers opposing the Allied forces, declared war on the Netherlands in 1942 and launched an invasion of the Dutch East Indies. It was during the period of Japanese occupation that Sukarno and Indonesia's other founding fathers consolidated their efforts to achieve independence, with Japanese Prime Minister Koiso Kuniaki reportedly promising Sukarno that Japan would recognize Indonesia's sovereign nationhood. However, Indonesia reverted to Dutch control in 1945 when Nazi Germany, Japan, and the other Axis powers were definitively defeated by the Allies.
Indonesian nationalists declared independence from the Dutch shortly after the Netherlands retained control of Indonesia. It was at this time that the concept of Pancasila began to take a clear shape. Sukarno and his primary nationalist ally, Mohammad Hatta, stoked nationalist sentiments and raised a Japanese-backed army to fight the Dutch, who had deployed military forces in a bid to retain control of Indonesia.
Over the next three years, the Netherlands deployed about 120,000 soldiers in Indonesia, using the term "police actions" to describe their efforts to quash the nationalist uprising. Officially, the Dutch government regarded the conflict as an internal issue, and not a colonial war between a ruling power and an emerging nation. However, the Netherlands eventually came under pressure from the United Nations to reach a negotiated settlement, which resulted in official Dutch recognition of Indonesian independence in 1949. Pancasila was included in the 1945 Indonesian constitution, which went into full effect after the Netherlands ceased its military opposition of the country's ambition to achieve independence. Sukarno was installed as Indonesia's first president, with Hatta assuming the vice presidency.
Overview
The first principle of Pancasila is expressed in the Indonesian constitution as follows: "the state shall be based on belief in the One and Only God." Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country, but its constitution promises freedom of religion to its citizens, and the nation is home to a sizable Christian minority. Thus, while the first principle of Pancasila does not declare a state religion, it does acknowledge an official belief in the deity of the monotheistic Abrahamic faith tradition, which includes Islam and Christianity as well as Judaism.
Pancasila's second principle is expressed as "just and civilized humanity." This notion regards all human beings as creations of the "One and Only God" referenced in the first principle, and decrees that all people, regardless of their station in life, be afforded dignity. It also forms the basis of Indonesia's constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion by forbidding the physical or religious oppression of any individual or group.
The third principle, "the unity of Indonesia," is secular in nature. Indonesian nationalism, as mandated by Pancasila, emphasizes the equality of all Indonesian people. It embraces the country's ethnic and spiritual diversity while commanding unity based on language and love of country. While hundreds of different languages are spoken in Indonesia, the sole official tongue is Indonesian, which serves as the lingua franca in day-to-day life. The unity principle also stresses that social, religious, linguistic, and cultural differences among the Indonesian people should never undermine the country's nationhood and internal harmony.
"Democracy," the fourth principle, covers a specific and particular style of consensus government. Drawing on philosophical and legal principles expounded in Indonesia's constitution, the country's approach to democracy implies a responsibility to the "One and Only God," and maintains that democratic principles must be applied in such a way that the country's unity and humanitarianism are always respected.
The fifth and final principle of Pancasila is "social justice for the whole people of Indonesia." It endorses the application and distribution of natural and economic resources for the benefit of all Indonesians, so they can help all citizens to the greatest possible degree. While this principle provides a social safety net for the nation's poorest people, it also stresses that the economically disadvantaged should contribute to Indonesian society in whatever capacity they are able. In theory, it also safeguards against the exploitation of the poor at the hands of the wealthy and powerful.
Pancasila is widely considered a fundamental aspect of the Indonesian state, and it holds near-sacred status among the Indonesian people. Its five principles are embodied in the nation's official coat of arms, and it is also the namesake of a national holiday, Pancasila Day, which is held annually on June 1. The date marks the anniversary of Sukarno's 1945 public address, which first forwarded the concept as a foundational principle of an independent Indonesia.
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