Constitutional-Plural Sovereignty: Reinterpreting Thomas Hobbes to Preserve Multicultural Democracy in Indonesia

Multitech Publisher Senin, September 21, 2026
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FORMOSA NEWS - Jakarta - Political stability in a multicultural democracy like Indonesia cannot be maintained solely through centralized absolute power or strict control over religious life. Instead, the sustainability of state sovereignty depends heavily on constitutional governance, institutional balance, democratic inclusion, and equal citizenship guarantees for all citizens.

This core finding comes from a recent scholarly study conducted by three researchers from the Ledalero Institute of Philosophy and Creative Technology (IFTK Ledalero): Mirsel Robertus, Wishal Ambrose, and Stefanus Candra Lawang. Published in the Indonesian Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR), Vol. 5, No. 9, 2026, the study analyzes the relevance of 17th-century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes's theory of sovereignty within the context of contemporary democratic dynamics and religious diversity in Indonesia.

Background and Context

Thomas Hobbes's classic political theory, detailed in his seminal work Leviathan (1651), was developed during the turmoil of the English Civil War. Hobbes argued that preventing social breakdown and civil conflict requires an absolute and indivisible sovereign authority. Under this absolutist framework, religious authority must remain subordinate to political authority to suppress dogmatic disputes that threaten national unity.

However, applying Hobbes's absolutist model directly presents clear limitations in modern democracies that value religious freedom, constitutional constraints, and public participation. In Indonesia, religion operates not only as a private matter but as an integral part of the constitutional structure and public life through Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. Identity-based conflicts, blasphemy regulations, and electoral politics highlight the ongoing challenges in balancing public order with civil liberties.

Summary of Research Methodology

The study adopts a qualitative interpretive approach focused on political philosophy and constitutional analysis. The authors conducted a conceptual and normative examination of Hobbes's Leviathan.

This theoretical framework was structurally related to provisions in the 1945 Constitution—particularly Article 29 regarding freedom of religion—as well as Indonesian public policies and societal case studies. Historical context analysis was also utilized to evaluate how far Hobbesian sovereignty can illuminate contemporary challenges such as religious populism and political polarization.

Key Research Findings

The research outlines several critical conclusions:

  1. Relevance of Hobbesian Warnings: Hobbes's insights remain relevant for understanding the dangers of social fragmentation, declining institutional trust, and identity-based political mobilization that threaten national stability.
  2. Limitations of Absolutism: Centralized, unrestricted authority is incompatible with pluralistic democracies, as it risks undermining public participation, minority rights, and democratic safeguards.
  3. Concept of "Constitutional-Plural Sovereignty": The authors propose a new framework where political authority maintains public order while remaining constitutionally limited, democratically accountable, and responsive to religious and cultural diversity.
  4. Continuous Negotiation in Indonesia: Democratic stability in Indonesia is achieved neither through rigid secular separation nor theocratic control, but through continuous constitutional negotiation between state governance and a pluralistic society.

Implications for Society and Policy

The study offers actionable insights for public policy, legal reform, and civic life:

  • Strengthening Governance: Governments and lawmakers are encouraged to move away from repressive power dynamics when managing diversity, prioritizing inclusive democratic dialogue instead.
  • Protecting Minority Rights: The state must ensure legal equality and equal citizenship protection for all religious and cultural groups.
  • Civic Education: Findings reinforce the necessity of civic education and religious moderation grounded in respect for constitutional norms.

"The Indonesian experience demonstrates that political cohesion in multicultural democracies requires a constitutional balance. State authority remains necessary to preserve legal order, but its legitimacy depends on democratic accountability and recognition of diversity," Mirsel Robertus and the research team highlighted in their report.

Brief Author Profiles

  • Mirsel Robertus: Lecturer and researcher at the Ledalero Institute of Philosophy and Creative Technology (IFTK Ledalero), Maumere, Indonesia. Specializes in political philosophy, sovereignty theory, and public ethics.
  • Wishal Ambrose: Researcher at the Ledalero Institute of Philosophy and Creative Technology (IFTK Ledalero) focusing on culture, religion, and political sociology.
  • Stefanus Candra Lawang: Researcher at the Ledalero Institute of Philosophy and Creative Technology (IFTK Ledalero) specializing in constitutional law, democratic governance, and pluralism studies.

Research Source

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