Nasionalisme dan Komitmen Terhadap Integrasi Serantau di Indonesia, Malaysia dan Singapura (Nationalism and Commitment To Economic Regional Integration In Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore)

Abstract

This article examines how nationalist sentiment affects the public’s commitment to prioritizing the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community and its three key features: free trade, the flow of skilled/professional workers, and intra-ASEAN investment. This study uses statistical data gathered during a public opinion survey conducted using 1,256 respondents in eleven cities across Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in 2010. The findings were tested using multiple regression analysis. The study highlighted the existence of a positive association between nationalist sentiment and commitment to prioritise the AEC’s key features. However, the study also found some differences amongst the respondents of the three ASEAN countries, as well as some issues in developing countries that differ from studies with a European focus. This article concludes with proposals for successful regional integration initiatives in developing countries and directions for future study.