How to Build a Diverse Nation: Lessons from the Indonesian Experience

Samuel Bazzi

No 34540, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Building a cohesive nation-state amid deep ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity is a central challenge for many governments. This paper examines the process of nation building, drawing lessons from the remarkable experience of Indonesia over the past century. I discuss conceptual perspectives on nation building and review Indonesia's historical nation-building trajectory. I then synthesize insights from four studies exploring distinct policy interventions in Indonesia---population resettlement, administrative unit proliferation, land reform, and mass schooling---to understand their effects on social cohesion and national integration. Together, these cases underscore the promise and pitfalls of nation-building efforts in diverse societies, offering guidance for future research and policymaking to support these endeavors in Indonesia and beyond.

JEL-codes: D74 H77 N35 O15 O43 P00 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-12
Note: DAE DEV PE POL
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Published as Samuel Bazzi, 2025. "How to Build a Diverse Nation: Lessons from the Indonesian Experience," Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies, vol 61(3), pages 379-416.

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