From Pemuda to Remaja

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates how the civic nationalism of the current millennial generation is perceived and expressed in contemporary Indonesia. We define civic nationalism as nationalism in which the foundations of citizenship are civic ties that ensure equality for people of different religions or ethnicities. Since the post-New Order period, religious nationalism promoted by vocal Islamist groups such as Laskar Jihad, Front Pembela Islam (Islamic Defence Front, FPI), and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) has contested Indonesian civic nationalism. Despite this challenge, we argue that Indonesian civic nationalism has been vibrantly reproduced, with the current millennial generation playing an active role, despite studies that frequently portray them as apolitical remaja (consumerist youth). We use NusantaRun and SabangMerauke as examples of youth communities that actively promote civic nationalist narratives. We also contend that their ideas on civic nationalism emphasise interfaith engagement in activities centred on consumer culture, self-development, and volunteerism, all of which fit into the broader neoliberal milieu of post-New Order Indonesia. These findings, deriving from our interviews and analyses of their social media discourse, will help to advance research on changing nationalist expressions across Indonesian generations.