National Integration is the Process of Social Group Unity, Understand the Concept and Factors

Kapanlagi.com - National integration is an important step in realizing national unity. National integration is the process of unifying various social groups. With that, a nation consisting of various social classes can have a unified national identity. With the attachment of national identity, unity and unity will be realized.

Maintaining unity and unity has become the nation's ideals. Therefore, national integrity is an absolute necessity that must be realized. However, realizing national integrity is not an easy task. This requires the involvement of every citizen. This means that every citizen must understand that national integration is important.

To better understand national integration, consider the following reviews that have been summarized from various sources.

1. Definition of National Integration

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National integration consists of two words, integration and national. If elaborated, in the Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), the word integration means the process of blending into one whole unit. Meanwhile, the word national refers to a nation. Therefore, the meaning of national integration can be interpreted as the process of unifying a nation that has many differences.

Meanwhile, from a political point of view, national integration is the process of uniting various social and cultural groups, resulting in a national identity. Another perspective, from an anthropological point of view, national integrity is the process of adapting different cultural elements, resulting in harmony in society.

2. Concept of National Integration

Understanding what national integrity is will be easier if we delve into its concept. The concept of national integration is generally divided into two types, namely vertical concept and horizontal concept.

The horizontal concept of national integration includes ways to unite the diverse backgrounds of Indonesian people, as well as ways to build a national identity. Thus, people with diverse backgrounds of groups, religions, and ethnicities can feel united and whole. On the other hand, the vertical concept of national integration includes ways that a nation will take in the process of uniting its people with the government.

3. National Integration Requirements

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National integration is a complex matter. To implement it, there are several requirements that must be fulfilled. The requirements for national integration are as follows.

1. The creation of a shared agreement regarding preserved social values and norms that serve as guidelines for living.

2. The social values and norms mentioned in the first requirement have been established as regulations in the implementation of social integration.

3. Every member of society must feel capable of fulfilling their roles and meeting their respective needs.

4. Supporting Factors for National Integration

So far, Indonesia has been able to carry out national integration quite well. This is because Indonesia has many supporting factors. The supporting factors for national integration are as follows.

1. Shared sense of destiny and struggle
The sense of shared destiny and struggle that the Indonesian nation possesses has existed since the colonial era. At that time, the entire society was determined to unite against the colonizers. This feeling should be maintained to preserve the unity of the nation.

2. Desire for unity
National integration can be achieved as long as there is a desire among every citizen to remain united forever. Fortunately, various historical moments such as the Youth Pledge of 1928 have strengthened this sense of unity.

3. Love for the Homeland
This has been proven since the colonial era. Love for the homeland that makes the heroes willing to sacrifice for independence. It means that love for the homeland must be instilled in every individual.

4. Pancasila as a manifestation of national ideology
The implementation of Pancasila as a national ideology also supports the implementation of national integration. Because Pancasila ideology highly upholds unity.

5. Culture of Mutual Cooperation
The culture of mutual cooperation has become the characteristic of the Indonesian nation. Unconsciously, this culture can also be a supporting factor for national integration. Fortunately, this culture is still inherited from generation to generation, so it is still preserved until now.

6. Anticipation of foreign threats
The presence of threats from foreign or external parties always arouses nationalism and the spirit of unity. Therefore, an attitude of anticipation towards foreign threats should always be nurtured.

5. Obstacles to National Integration

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As a diverse nation, the implementation of national integration in Indonesia is certainly not an easy task. There are several factors that can hinder the implementation of national integration in the country. Some of the factors that hinder national integration are as follows.

1. Diverse Indonesian society
Indonesia has diversity in ethnicity, religion, race, and other groups. This can be a hindrance because it requires a lot of effort and a lengthy process to unify them.

2. Vast Indonesian territory
The vast Indonesian territory can also hinder national integration. Indonesia has more than 17 thousand islands spread across the vast ocean. This certainly makes it difficult for us to integrate.

3. Strong ethnocentrism belief
The belief of ethnocentrism or the fanaticism of a certain ethnic group that considers their culture superior to others is also very dangerous. This can be one of the factors that hinder national integration.

4. Erosion of indigenous culture
Related to culture, technological advancements and the era of globalization can erode the indigenous culture of the homeland. If allowed to continue, this can eliminate the identity of the nation's personality.

5. Unequal development
Whether realized or not, uneven development can also affect the process of national integration. Unequal development often leads to feelings of envy, and even conflicts, among some communities.

Those are some of the explanations about national integration as the process of unifying differences within a nation. Hopefully it is useful and can broaden your knowledge.

(kpl/psp)