Pancasila as the Foundation of Governance Amid Geopolitical Challenges - Center for Geopolitic and Geostrategic Studies

In a global era marked by great power rivalry, competition over strategic resources, and disruptive technological advances, every nation is required to have a strong ideological foundation and well-directed policy. Indonesia, as the world’s largest archipelagic country located at the strategic crossroads of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, faces complex geopolitical challenges.

Contemporary geopolitical challenges arise in various forms: escalating rivalry between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific region, climate change impacting food and energy security, trade and technology wars, and the proliferation of identity-based conflicts fuelled by digital disinformation.

In facing these pressures, the governance of Indonesia must be directed not only to be reactive but also proactive—rooted in national principles that reflect the identity of the nation. This is where the relevance of Pancasila becomes strategically important. When implemented appropriately, each of the five principles of Pancasila provides both moral grounding and policy direction aligned with Indonesia’s national interests.

The first principle, Belief in the One and Only God, affirms the importance of morality and ethics in both domestic and foreign policy. In an increasingly pragmatic and transactional world, this spiritual value adds a distinctive character to Indonesia’s policy orientation toward peace and global justice. For instance, Indonesia’s diplomacy does not blindly align with any major power bloc.

The second principle, Just and Civilized Humanity, strengthens Indonesia’s position in global geopolitics as a country that upholds universal values such as human rights, global justice, and international solidarity. While many countries are trapped in exploitative or hegemonic power practices, Indonesia has the opportunity to become a moral force advocating for a more humane global order. This approach is evident in Indonesia’s contributions to issues like Palestine, the Rohingya crisis, and mediation in international conflicts.

The third principle, The Unity of Indonesia, serves as a vital foundation in countering unconventional geopolitical threats such as foreign ideological infiltration, global disinformation, identity politics, and proxy wars. In the context of great power competition, developing countries are often arenas for contestation. Indonesia must strengthen social cohesion and inclusive nationalism to avoid being divided by external interests.

Governance based on this third principle will be better equipped to manage diversity productively and transform differences into strength rather than vulnerability. National resilience is not solely about military or economic power—it is also about a united and resilient collective identity.

The fourth principle, Democracy Guided by the Inner Wisdom in the Unanimity Arising out of Deliberations Amongst Representatives, is a critical foundation for maintaining governmental legitimacy in the face of global pressures. The world today is witnessing a wave of authoritarianism often justified by the need for stability and efficiency. Indonesia, with its democratic legacy since the Reformasi era, bears the responsibility of demonstrating that deliberative democracy can coexist with effective and responsive governance.

This principle encourages public officials to continually listen to the people’s aspirations, adopt a dialogical approach in policymaking, and prioritize consensus in addressing geopolitical dilemmas. This is crucial to ensure that strategic national policies—such as cyber defence, technological development, and foreign relations—retain legitimacy in the eyes of the people.

The fifth principle, Social Justice for All the People of Indonesia, is the pinnacle of all Pancasila’s principles and the key to addressing global structural inequalities. In a world characterized by exploitative economic systems and technological dependency on developed nations, Indonesia must build an economically just sovereignty.

The government must strengthen food, energy, and digital security through people-cantered policies, especially for those in underdeveloped and vulnerable regions. Development strategies must aim not to widen inequalities but to bridge regional and social gaps.

It is also essential to emphasize that the application of Pancasila in foreign and defence policies must go beyond symbolic gestures. A government grounded in Pancasila must translate its values into a strategic policy design focused on national interests. In this context, Indonesia’s geopolitical approach should not rely solely on a balance of power but should be based on a value-driven strategic conception and the nation’s long-term interests.

Thus, Pancasila represents both soft power and the foundation for hard policy in Indonesia’s efforts to navigate a volatile global geopolitical landscape. It is not merely a symbol or slogan but a living value system that guides governance. At a time when many nations suffer from crises of identity, direction, and legitimacy, Indonesia possesses an established and relevant ideological heritage: Pancasila.

Our duty as a nation is to ensure that these noble values genuinely serve as the foundation for every aspect of state administration—from foreign diplomacy to domestic welfare distribution. By anchoring its governance in Pancasila amid geopolitical challenges, Indonesia not only preserves its sovereignty but also positions itself to play a greater role in shaping a more peaceful, just, and civilized regional and global future.

Prof. Dr. Ermaya Suradinata, SH, MH, MS, is an Expert Council Member of BPIP RI and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Center for Geopolitics & Geostrategy Studies Indonesia (CGSI).