Indonesian Nationalism: A Legacy of Anti-Colonialism and State Loyalty

Nationalism, as a political ideology, is fundamentally tied to the concept of the nation-state, drawing theoretical roots from European thinkers like Hegel and Rousseau. While Hegel emphasized the state and Rousseau the nation, modern nationalism often manifests as an "anti" sentiment – against absolutism and church dominance in Europe, and against foreign power and colonialism in colonized nations like Indonesia.

The evolution of nationalism has produced three distinct forms: formative, prestige, and expansive. The expansive form is essentially modern imperialism, seeking dominance over other nations. In contrast, the formative and prestige forms focus on domestic consolidation, strengthening national identity, or what Sukarno termed "nation-building and character-building."

Philosophically, nationalism instills a doctrine of ultimate loyalty, where citizens are expected to defend their nation regardless of its actions. This principle is deeply ingrained, particularly within military culture, where love for the nation is presented as a supreme duty. Historically, some Islamic groups in Indonesia initially resisted nationalism, not due to its anti-colonial stance, which Muslims had maintained since the VOC era, but because they perceived it as potentially displacing God as the highest object of devotion.