Eliora 1Nadia ElioraElisabeth PristiwiCivics 1012 October 2015Civics EssayBy definition, a state is an internationally recognized country, equipped with political borders, common languages, and an official population. A nation, by contrast, is a group of people with similar heritage inherited cultures, languages, religions, etc. and are not confined by political borders, but recognized internationally. After first declaring independence on the 17th of August 1945 and being recognized for it on the 27th of December 1949, Indonesia became internationally acclaimed as a sovereign state, where the populations under the geographic expanse function other one government. However, Indonesia also classifies as a nation; people who share the identity of being independent from a shared colonialism, who take pride in the diversity of cultures. Historically and legislatively, Indonesia conforms as a combination between state and a nationAccording to the Friedrich Hertz, states are built on the intent of on uniting a national entity based on social, economical, political, religious, cultural, and communicative goal to achieve national independence free of foreign involvement. When proclaiming independence, Indonesia became a state formed under these circumstances. After the founding fathers of Indonesia decided to unite against colonizers, they fulfilled Oppenheimers criteria of a state, as a body that is brought together by mens instinctive impulse to end the war of all against all and maintain peace (Oppenheimer). Thomas Hobbes also clarifies that a state is also based on peoples State of Nature, otherwise concluded that a state is an agreement between people to live together under the same laws (State of Nature). When they were politically recognized, Indonesia became a state under international law. Historically so, Indonesia is built on the pretense that it is a state, as the forefathers goal in uniting the country was to have internationally acclaimed independence with an agreed cooperation to establish itself under the same government. However, Indonesia cannot be solely defined as a state, as the uniting goal also confirms it as a nation. According to Ernest Renan, a nation is formed based on common solidarity, history, and goals (What is a Nation?). So, regardless of the archipelagic stature and social diversity, the common goal Indonesia for independence makes it a nation. Therefore, historically, Indonesia classifies both as a state and nation.Legislatively, Indonesias law classifies itself as both a state and the nation. The original intent of uniting Indonesia and scribed in the Youth Pledge was to adopt three ideals into Indonesian law; one fatherland, Indonesia, one nation, Indonesia, and one language, Bahasa Indonesia. On this basis alone, it is evident that Indonesia is a nation built under purpose for shared culture. The preamble of 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia also opens with the confirmation that Indonesias goal as a nation is to promote liberty, unity, humanity, and justice for all, which falls inline with John Lockes classification that a state is a place where all people are equal and independent (John Locke). The Theocracy Theory claims that the existence of a state is by the will of God, which is affirmed in the preamble, where it mentions that Indonesias independence is by the grace of God Almighty (berkat rahmat Allah Yang Maha Kuasa). The preamble as the pre-text for law in Indonesia also classifies Indonesia under the same government, which confirms is presence as a state. The preamble itself regularly switches between calling Indonesia a state (negara) and a nation (bangsa). The Indonesian motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) is also an example of how Indonesia conforms as both a state and nation, as promotes the equality of cultural differences in Indonesia as a nation, and emphasizes the unity of a state. Indonesia, therefore, is legislatively both a nation and a state.Holistically, Indonesia is both a state and a nation. On a pretense of history, the formation of Indonesia under a proclamation of Independence classifies it into both categories; by state, Indonesias now recognized political presence confirms it, and by nation, the common goal of eradicating itself of colonizers confirms it. Legislatively, the Indonesian 1945 preamble confirms Indonesia both as a state and nation, which promotes the stately independence where people abide to the same law, and the nations intent on uniting cultures. It is therefore concluded that Indonesia is both a state as a nation, both in self-identity and as politically acclaimed.

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