Prabowo: No Economic Growth Without Nationalism

President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed the importance of nationalism as the primary foundation for building national economic strength.

This was stated by Prabowo during his address at the XVIII National Congress (Munas) of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) in Bandar Lampung on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

Prabowo assessed that HIPMI holds a strategic role because it was born from the spirit of nationalism, which serves as the basis for a nation’s progress. “The birth of HIPMI with a nationalist outlook, as expressed, is very important. There is no progress for a nation without nationalism,” said Prabowo.

Prabowo emphasised that the view regarding the importance of nationalism in economic growth is also recognised by global economic thinkers. “Even the forebears of capitalism, the teachers of capitalism themselves, say that economic growth can only come with nationalism,” he said.

Prabowo then quoted the views of sociologist Liah Greenfeld regarding the relationship between nationalism and economic growth in the book titled The Spirit of Capitalism: Nationalism and Economic Growth (2001). The book discusses in detail the characteristics of modern economic growth.

“Therefore, the characteristic of a modern economy is not self-sustained. It does not advance or develop on its own. Growth is stimulated and maintained by nationalism,” said Prabowo.

According to him, various countries that have successfully achieved economic progress demonstrate the strong role of nationalism in their development. “So, brothers and sisters, Japan has advanced, America has advanced, Western Europe has advanced, and China is rising now because of nationalism,” Prabowo stated.

Furthermore, Prabowo invited all participants of the HIPMI National Congress to reflect on the application of nationalism within Indonesia’s economic system. “Let us ask ourselves. Is our economic system truly based on nationalism? Let us look with open eyes and hearts,” he said.