Reactualization of Mohammad Natsir's Integral Motion for the Modern National and Democratic Movement

Abstract

This study examines the reactualization of Mohammad Natsir’s Integral Motion within the framework of national identity and modern democracy in Indonesia. Proposed in 1950, the Integral Motion was not only a political initiative that unified the Republic of the United States of Indonesia (RIS) into the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), but also embodied enduring values of unity, social justice, and deliberation that remain highly relevant today. Employing a qualitative approach through library research and historical-critical analysis, this study interprets the political and philosophical dimensions of the Integral Motion and its significance in the context of contemporary democracy. The findings reveal that the values contained in the Integral Motion can be reactivated to address current democratic challenges such as political polarization, oligarchic dominance, and digital disinformation. These values provide moral and intellectual foundations for strengthening democratic practices in Indonesia. Viewed through the lens of deliberative democracy theory, the Integral Motion underscores the importance of rational communication, inclusive dialogue, and consensus as the basis of political legitimacy. Therefore, the reactualization of the Integral Motion not only reinforces national solidarity but also serves as a strategic inspiration for developing a more substantive, inclusive, and sustainable democracy in Indonesia.