James A. Robinson calls Indonesia a ‘political miracle’

2024 Nobel Prize winner in Economics, Professor James A. Robinson, described Indonesia’s political journey as a ‘political miracle’ during a discussion held by the Megawati Institute in Jakarta.

Robinson highlighted how Indonesia’s diverse society manages to live together through the foundation of Pancasila, shaped by its unique history, culture, and institutions. This experience stands out in comparison to many other nations that have served as subjects in his research regarding how institutions influence national prosperity.

Hilmar Farid, Director of the Megawati Institute, noted that Indonesia’s historical and cultural wealth should be viewed as a resource for determining the nation's future development rather than just a legacy of the past. The discussion emphasized that there is no uniform model for development, as every nation possesses distinct historical paths and societal characters.