Lesson Learnt from Indonesia Nationalism Making for Contemporary ASEAN Regional Identity Development

Abstract

Association of Southeast Asia Nation (ASEAN) is developing ASEAN Regional Identity to bring ASEAN people together also softly integrate ASEAN people in the project of the ASEAN Community. Through this project, ASEAN begins to put the ideational aspect in the quantification. This paper argues regional identity is a social project, the same as Indonesia's creations. The invention of Indonesia as a state is Indonesia's founding father's social project through the nationalism narrations that flourish at that time. On the other hand, regional identity is the narrations that are used to projecting the ASEAN Community. Indonesia has experienced similar but not identical social integrations. This paper argues that Indonesia's experience could contribute to ASEAN regional Identity development. This writing will provide the reason why Indonesia capable to do so. Indonesia is a suitable example of how the various nations shared their identity in the form of Indonesia. Scholars argue that Indonesia practicing integrative nationalism different from Indochina who practicing exclusive nationalism. Tracing Indonesia shared identity making in the process of growing inclusive nationalism will be performed to seek Indonesian contributions to ASEAN regional Identity. If Indonesia could elaborate on their experience to ASEAN regional identity-making Indonesia could strengthen its role in ASEAN.