ASEAN Community: Strengthening Spirit of Unity In Diversity Through Political Communication

Abstrak

Indonesia is a large archipelago that contains population numbering more than 250
million people, a number that makes Indonesia one of the most populous countries
in the world. These large number imply that significant culture, ethnic, religious
and linguistic diversity. Indonesia's national spirit Bhinekka Tunggal Ika (Unity in
Diversity) refers to the variety in the country's internal composition but also
indicates that despite all differences in its multicultural society there is a true sense
of unity (Indonesianness) among the people of Indonesia. Strengthening this spirit
through political communication is very important in ASEAN Community.
ASEAN Community as product of new regionalism give an opportunity for each
country to promote its potency narrowing development gap. One of the pillars of
ASEAN Community, ASEAN Socio-Culture Community can be an opportunity for
national identity of Indonesia. As an opportunity, culture, ethnic, religious and
linguistic diversity of Indonesia that be strengthened by state philosophy Pancasila
as means national identity. Political communication is an integral parts of
Indonesia people daily life that crucial influence on the political socialisation of
the individual. Political communication is a one way to strengthen relation between
government and people. Indonesia, need to promote unity in diversity among
countries in Southeast Asia. Its consequently, first, developing of modern relations
and coomunications, specially, in ASEAN Community should be determined by
the rise of communication and information technology namely social media. The
next consequently it could be mean to fulfill national interest in politic, economic,
and security.
Key words: unity in diversity, ASEAN Community, social media