What this lesson teaches
I can judge how well Southeast Asian governments built national unity in their diverse societies.
Syllabus 9174, Paper 2, Theme I, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the outcomes of Southeast Asian governments' efforts to build national unity in different contexts and over time
Make a guess
Indonesia's Pancasila made belief in one God a national principle but accepted several religions. What do you think this achieved?
- It made Islam the official religion.
- It kept Muslims, Christians and Hindus within one nation.
- It was ignored, since ideas cannot unite people.
Show the answer
It kept Muslims, Christians and Hindus within one nation.
A national ideology gave diverse peoples shared values, though governments could also use it to silence critics.
National ideologies gave diverse peoples shared values. Religion could unite a majority but alienate minorities.
Indonesia's Pancasila set out five principles: belief in one God, humanity, national unity, democracy and social justice. It accepted several religions, which helped keep Muslims, Christians and Hindus within one nation.
Malaysia introduced the Rukunegara, a national ideology, in 1970 after the riots of May 1969. It listed shared principles such as belief in God, loyalty to king and country, and respect for the constitution.
Singapore later set out "Shared Values" in 1991, stressing nation before community and racial and religious harmony.
Religion could unite majorities. In Thailand, the monarchy and Buddhism were joined in the slogan "Nation, Religion, King". But in Burma and Thailand, linking the nation to Buddhism alienated Christian and Muslim minorities.
In Malaysia, the government promoted Islam from the 1980s, partly to compete with the Islamic party PAS. This strengthened Malay identity but worried non-Muslims.
- Pancasila
- Five principles; several religions accepted.
- Rukunegara
- Malaysia, 1970.
- Shared Values
- Singapore, 1991.
Worked example: Judging ideology as a tool
Did national ideologies unite people?
- Pancasila: a broad, inclusive base for a diverse country.
- Rukunegara: shared principles after 1969.
- Limit: governments also used ideology to silence critics.
- Judgement: useful when inclusive; weak when imposed.
Watch out for this
National ideologies were neutral statements that everyone accepted.
Governments also used them for control. Suharto required all organisations to accept Pancasila as their sole basis from 1985, which angered some Muslim groups.
Check your understanding
How did Pancasila help unite Indonesia?
- It banned religion from public life.
- It made Islam the official religion.
- It accepted several religions within one nation.
Show the answer
It accepted several religions within one nation.
Right. It avoided making Indonesia an Islamic state.