"There are pros and cons regarding whether a country needs an ideology," Dewaruci went on. "Ideology plays a crucial role in shaping a nation's political, economic, and cultural direction, but it can also pose risks.On one hand, an ideology can foster social cohesion by providing a shared set of beliefs and values. This helps unify diverse populations, as seen with Pancasila in Indonesia, which promotes pluralism and harmony. Another example is Liberalism in Western democracies reinforces ideas of freedom, equality, and individual rights.A well-defined national ideology provides a framework for governance, ensuring consistency in policies. This helps avoid constant changes in direction when leadership shifts. Socialism, for example, offers a clear structure for welfare policies, guiding government priorities towards equity.In times of uncertainty, ideology offers direction for policy-making and can mobilise the population towards a common goal. For instance, wartime ideologies often help rally national support. For instance, the New Deal in the US, influenced by Keynesian ideas, helped guide the country out of the Great Depression.Ideology provides a moral and philosophical justification for political authority, ensuring that governments can effectively justify their actions to the public. For example, Monarchies often relied on religious or traditional ideologies to legitimise rule.On the other hand, an over-reliance on ideology can lead to inflexibility, preventing leaders from responding pragmatically to changing realities. The Soviet Union's strict adherence to Marxism-Leninism for instance, made it difficult to adapt to economic and social challenges, contributing to its collapse.Ideologies can become tools of oppression, stifling free speech and alternative perspectives. Totalitarian regimes, for instance, often suppress dissent in the name of ideological purity. Fascism in Nazi Germany marginalised and persecuted those with differing beliefs.Competing ideologies can lead to political polarisation and even violence, as different groups struggle to impose their visions on society. Cold War tensions between capitalism and communism divided the world into hostile ideological blocs.Governments may use ideology to manipulate citizens, creating a false sense of unity or justifying questionable policies. In authoritarian regimes, state-controlled media perpetuate ideologies to maintain control over the population.Whether a country needs an ideology depends on how it is implemented. Ideology can be a powerful tool for uniting people, providing stability, and guiding policy-making, but it can also lead to rigidity, oppression, and conflict if misused. In democratic systems, a balance between ideological commitment and pragmatism may offer the most effective governance model.Ideology and political ideologies are closely related concepts, but they are not entirely synonymous.Ideology encompasses a wide range of ideas and beliefs beyond politics; it is a guiding principle. It Influences attitudes, behaviours, and policies across multiple sectors. It is cultural and social Influence. It shapes societal norms, values, and collective identities. It includes beliefs about morality, culture, human nature, and more. It influences various aspects of life, including art, education, and religion. It shapes the overall worldview and cultural narratives. Liberalism, conservatism, feminism and environmentalism (in broader contexts) are examples of ideology.Political ideologies are a subset of ideologies specifically focused on politics. They encompass systems of beliefs and ideas that dictate how a society should be organised politically, economically, and socially. Political ideologies provide guidelines for governance, policy-making, and the distribution of power and resources within a state. Political Ideologies are narrower, they are primarily focused on political and economic structures. They centre on governance models, policy preferences, and power distribution. They directly inform government policies, political parties, and laws. They guide political action and organisational governance. Socialism, capitalism, libertarianism, and fascism (in specific political contexts) are the example of political ideologies.While all political ideologies are forms of ideology, not all ideologies are political. Political ideologies are inherently political, dealing with the organisation and governance of society. In contrast, ideology can refer to non-political belief systems as well, such as religious ideologies, cultural ideologies, or economic ideologies that may not directly address political structures. Let's examine some illustrative samples.Liberalism, advocates for individual freedoms, democratic governance, and free-market economics (Political Ideology). It supports values like equality, tolerance, and human rights beyond just political structures (in a broader ideological aspect).Feminism may advocate for policies promoting gender equality and women's rights (Political Ideology). It encompasses cultural and social beliefs about gender roles and identities (in a broader ideological aspect).Environmentalism pushes for policies addressing climate change, conservation, and sustainable development (Political Ideology). It involves a worldview that values nature and seeks harmony between humans and the environment (in a broader ideological aspect).In academic lense, Karl Mannheim distinguishes between ideologies and utopias based on their relationship to the existing social order. He posits that ideologies serve to justify and maintain the status quo, while utopias seek to transform it. This distinction underscores that political ideologies often aim to reshape political structures, whereas broader ideologies may not be limited to political change. Terry Eagleton provides a comprehensive analysis of ideology, exploring its role in shaping societal norms and individual consciousness. He highlights that while political ideologies are crucial in organising political life, ideologies at large influence various facets of human existence. Anthony Giddens discusses how environmental ideologies intersect with political ideologies, demonstrating that political action on climate change is informed by broader environmental beliefs. This exemplifies how political ideologies can be rooted in wider ideological frameworks. Karl Marx explores how economic systems underpin political structures, illustrating the interconnectedness of economic ideologies and political ideologies. His work emphasizes that political ideologies cannot be entirely separated from other ideological dimensions such as economics.In summary, while ideology is a broad concept encompassing various systems of thought that shape an individual's or group's worldview across multiple dimensions, political ideologies are a specific subset focused on political and economic structures, governance, and policy-making. Understanding this distinction is crucial for analysing how different belief systems influence both the general culture and specific political actions within a society. Understanding the nuanced differences between ideology and political ideologies enhances the ability to critically analyse the forces shaping both individual beliefs and collective political actions.Now let's go back to our topic about Pancasila. Ideologies involve deep-rooted beliefs that guide both public and private conduct. If Pancasila is primarily used as a political tool to maintain power or control, rather than a genuine system of beliefs, it may not function as an ideology in the strict sense. Michael R.J. Vatikiotis how Pancasila was instrumentalised to suppress dissent, undermining its philosophical core. David Bourchier discusses how Pancasila was used to limit pluralism and control political parties, undermining its ideological function. Suharto's government required citizens and organisations to adopt Pancasila as their sole ideology (asas tunggal), but this imposition often served to consolidate state power rather than cultivate shared values.Some critics argue that the five principles of Pancasila are too broad and non-prescriptive, making them difficult to operationalise effectively. A true ideology provides a clear program of action, whereas Pancasila’s generality can result in multiple, and sometimes conflicting, interpretations. For instance, the principle of 'social justice' can be interpreted in both socialist and capitalist ways, leaving it open to misuse or inconsistency. Terry Eagleton highlights that for an ideology to function effectively, it needs to offer more than abstract ideals; it must guide concrete political action.Ideologies typically gain legitimacy through popular acceptance or organic development. If Pancasila is imposed top-down by the state without genuine social buy-in, it may lack the essential qualities of an ideology. Douglas E. Ramage notes that the top-down promotion of Pancasila has, at times, alienated parts of the population. In the post-1998 reform era, efforts to reinvigorate Pancasila have faced difficulties, as some segments of society perceive it as a legacy of authoritarianism rather than a unifying ideology.An ideology provides not just a structural framework but also ethical guidance. If Pancasila is used primarily for symbolic purposes (e.g., national speeches or formal ceremonies) without influencing everyday governance and public life, it becomes more of a state rhetoric than an actionable ideology. Critics argue that in some cases, Pancasila is invoked only during ceremonial occasions, while real policy decisions follow different agendas, such as economic liberalism or authoritarian practices.So, Pancasila may fail to function as an ideology when it lacks consistent application, becomes a political instrument, or is interpreted in overly vague terms. Furthermore, if it is imposed without public consensus or reduced to symbolic rhetoric, it cannot fulfil the role of a genuine belief system that shapes collective life. For Pancasila to truly operate as an ideology, it must not only embody guiding principles but also influence policies, actions, and social interactions in a meaningful way.By highlighting these issues, scholars argue that the effectiveness of Pancasila as an ideology depends on how it is applied in practice, not just on its philosophical content," said Dewaruci, his fingers gently stroking his beard. Bima, surrounded by an enchanting ballet of fishes, nodded in agreement, realizing that their names were no longer of importance. And Allah knows best.”
Citations & References:
- Karl Mannheim, Ideology and Utopia, 2018, Routledge.
- Andrew Heywood, Political Ideologies: An Introduction, 2013, Palgrave Macmillan.
- Anthony Giddens, The Politics of Climate Change, 2009, Polity Press.
- Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The German Ideology, 1846, International Publishers.
- Michael R.J. Vatikiotis, Indonesian Politics under Suharto: The Rise and Fall of the New Order, 1999, Routledge
- Douglas E. Ramage, Politics in Indonesia: Democracy, Islam and the Ideology of Tolerance, 1995, Routledge
