Pancasila is the official state ideology of Indonesia. The word “Pancasila” is derived from Sanskrit and means “five principles.” These principles were developed by Indonesia’s founding father, Sukarno, in 1945 to provide unity for the diverse nation.

The five principles are: belief in one God, just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations amongst representatives, and social justice for all of the people of Indonesia.

Pancasila became the foundation of Indonesia’s ideology and was enshrined in the country’s Constitution. It has faced challenges and revisions over the years, notably during the New Order regime led by President Suharto, who added a sixth principle called “national unity.” However, since the fall of Suharto in 1998, Pancasila has been fully reestablished as the guiding principle for the nation. Today, it is still a crucial part of Indonesia’s national identity.